2025 Kia Soul vs 2025 Nissan Kicks

$20,490 · Wagon

$21,830 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia Soul brings its distinctive, boxy charm with 147 horsepower, offering a slightly zippier feel, though it settles for 30 MPG combined. Contrast this with the 2025 Nissan Kicks, which leans into utility with a more traditional crossover silhouette, boasting a superior 31 MPG combined rating and a segment-leading 30 cu ft of cargo capacity. The Soul feels tauter and smaller at 165.2 inches long, appealing to urban navigators, while the Kicks utilizes its extra 6.7 inches of length to maximize interior space. Priced aggressively starting at $20,490, the Soul undercuts the Kicks' $21,830 MSRP, making the immediate sticker price difference exactly $1,340. While the Kicks nudges ahead in efficiency and cargo, the Soul maintains a slight edge in power output with 132 lb-ft of torque versus the Kicks' 140 lb-ft, creating a tight contest in the value-oriented small segment.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Kia Soul

The slightly lower MSRP of $20,490 for the Kia Soul offers immediate budget relief for the daily commuter.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks provides significantly more utility for families with its massive 30 cu ft of maximum cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Soul

With 147 hp compared to the Kicks' 141 hp, the Kia Soul offers marginally higher peak power for spirited driving.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks delivers better long-term value by achieving 31 combined MPG, outperforming the Soul's 30 MPG.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

You prioritize a lower entry price, as the Kia Soul starts at just $20,490.
You prefer the more compact dimensions, measuring only 165.2 inches in length for easier city parking.
You want the absolute most horsepower available, with the Soul delivering 147 hp.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Maximizing storage space is critical, given the Kicks offers a huge 30 cu ft of cargo room.
You want the best fuel efficiency, with the Kicks achieving 35 MPG highway.
You prefer the slightly taller stance and increased height of 64.2 inches for a better view of the road.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia Soul	Nissan Kicks
Length	165.2"	171.9"
Width	70.9"	70.9"
Height	63.0"	64.2"
Wheelbase	102.4"	104.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	141 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	27/33 MPG	28/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	386.1/471.9 mi.	333.2/416.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.3 gal.	11.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Push Button Start	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	—
Audio/Video Remote Control	✓	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.1 in.	42.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 in.	54.7 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	4-way
Front Hip Room	—	52.4 in.

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Rear Head Room	39.5 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.8 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	54.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Rear Hip Room	—	50.1 in.

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Wheel Material	Steel	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	✓	Full
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/60R H	215/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—

Suspension

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 24000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2025 Nissan Kicks.

Which vehicle is better for highway driving efficiency?

The 2025 Nissan Kicks is the winner for highway mileage, achieving 35 MPG. The Kia Soul trails slightly with 33 MPG highway, making the Kicks the better choice for drivers prioritizing fuel savings on longer trips.

How much larger is the cargo area in the Kicks compared to the Soul?

The Nissan Kicks boasts a substantially larger cargo capacity of 30 cu ft. This provides 5.8 cubic feet more space than the Kia Soul's 24.2 cu ft maximum capacity, which is a significant difference for hauling gear.

Is there a significant performance difference between the two FWD models?

Performance is close, but the 2025 Kia Soul holds a slight horsepower advantage at 147 hp versus the Kicks' 141 hp. However, the Kicks generates more torque at 140 lb-ft compared to the Soul's 132 lb-ft.

Which vehicle has the lower starting price?

The 2025 Kia Soul is the more budget-friendly option with an MSRP of $20,490. The 2025 Nissan Kicks starts higher at $21,830, creating an initial price gap of $1,340.

Do these vehicles offer different engine types or fuel requirements?

No, both vehicles utilize standard regular unleaded fuel and are equipped with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive configuration.

How do their exterior sizes compare for city maneuvering?

The Kia Soul is notably shorter, measuring 165.2 inches in length, while the Nissan Kicks is longer at 171.9 inches. Both share the same 70.9-inch width, but the Soul's reduced length may offer minor benefits in tight urban parking situations.