Compare the2026 Mazda CX-5 VS 2026 Nissan Kicks

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Nissan Kicks, which scored only a “Marginal” in these critical safety features.

The CX-5 has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kicks doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the Kicks.

Both the CX-5 and Kicks have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-5 has Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the CX-5 and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-5 weighs 603 to 854 pounds more than the Nissan Kicks. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-5 is much safer than the Kicks:

	CX-5	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Kicks:

	CX-5	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	158
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	781 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	67	182
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	112 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.5 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The Kicks is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third in reliability, above the industry average. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

The CX-5’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 46 more horsepower (187 vs. 141) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (186 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	CX-5	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8.8 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.7 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	83.1 MPH	79.7 MPH

The CX-5 has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-5 has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The CX-5 has a standard locking fuel door, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Kicks. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

For better stopping power the CX-5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

	CX-5	Kicks
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11 inches

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Kicks:

	CX-5	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the CX-5 has larger tires than the Kicks (225/65R17 vs. 215/65R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-5 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

The CX-5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kicks; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For superior ride and handling, the Mazda CX-5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kicks 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the Kicks (110.7 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CX-5 is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

The CX-5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the Kicks’ (61% to 39%). This gives the CX-5 more stable handling and braking.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the CX-5 S Premium Plus is quieter than the Kicks SR AWD:

	CX-5	Kicks
At idle	38 dB	39 dB
Full-Throttle	77 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	67 dB	73 dB

The CX-5 has 10.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (106.5 vs. 95.7).

The CX-5 has 2.8 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 5.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CX-5’s rear seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks with its rear seat up (33.7 vs. 30 cubic feet). The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (66.5 vs. 60 cubic feet).

The CX-5’s cargo area is larger than the Kicks’ in every dimension:

	CX-5	Kicks
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.1”/75”	32.4”/63.9”
Max Width	57.5”	49.5”
Min Width	41.3”	40.3”
Height	33.9”	31.8”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the CX-5 Premium Plus, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The CX-5 has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Premium, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kicks doesn’t offer a memory system.

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium’s standard Entry/Exit Assist glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kicks doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The CX-5 Preferred/Premium has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kicks doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kicks’ power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kicks’ intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium Plus has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Kicks doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the CX-5 Preferred/Premium is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Kicks’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Kicks offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The CX-5 offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Kicks’ foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Both the CX-5 and the Kicks offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kicks.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the CX-5 Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Kicks doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The CX-5’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the CX-5 and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the CX-5 Select/Preferred/Premium has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks SV/SR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard voice command, the CX-5 offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Mazda CX-5 and the Nissan Kicks, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Nissan Kicks by 32% during 2025.