2025 Kia Soul vs 2026 Nissan Kicks

$20,490 · Wagon

$22,430 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

When balancing city agility against overall utility, choosing between the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2026 Nissan Kicks can feel tricky. The Soul starts at a lower $20,490 MSRP, undercutting the Kicks' $22,430 entry price, which might sway budget-conscious buyers immediately. However, the Kicks pulls ahead in practicality, offering a substantially larger 30 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft, making it better for hauling gear. Power outputs are close: the Soul produces 147 hp to the Kicks' 141 hp, though the Kicks manages slightly better fuel economy at 31 combined MPG versus the Soul's 30 combined MPG. While both use efficient CVTs, the Kicks' extra 1.0 inch in height (64.2 inches) and 6.7 inches in length (171.9 inches) translates to a slightly roomier feel inside its crossover shell versus the Soul's wagon styling.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Nissan Kicks

The 2026 Nissan Kicks wins for commuters due to its slightly superior fuel economy, achieving 35 highway MPG versus the Kia Soul's 33 highway MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Kicks

Families will benefit more from the Kicks' significantly larger 30 cu ft cargo capacity compared to the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia Soul

The 2025 Kia Soul offers marginally more power with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, giving it a slight edge in acceleration feel.

💰 Best Value

2025 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul provides better immediate value by having a lower starting MSRP of $20,490.

Choose the Kia Soul if...

You need the absolute lowest starting price, as the Kia Soul is priced at $20,490 MSRP.
You prefer a bit more horsepower, as the Soul delivers 147 hp compared to the Kicks' 141 hp.
You favor a slightly shorter vehicle length (165.2 inches) for easier urban parking maneuvers.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Maximizing cargo space is a priority, given the Kicks offers 30 cu ft versus the Soul's 24.2 cu ft.
You want the best fuel efficiency, as the Kicks achieves 35 highway MPG.
You prefer the higher seating position and perceived ruggedness of a crossover body type.

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	12.3 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	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia Soul and 2026 Nissan Kicks.

Which car is more fuel-efficient for long highway trips?

The 2026 Nissan Kicks is the winner here, achieving 35 MPG on the highway, which beats the 2025 Kia Soul's 33 highway MPG. Both run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs low.

Is the extra cost of the 2026 Nissan Kicks worth the added space?

If cargo matters, yes; the Kicks has 30 cu ft of space versus the Soul's 24.2 cu ft. However, the Kicks costs $1,940 more upfront, so you need to weigh that price difference against the extra 5.8 cu ft of storage.

How do the engines compare in terms of power delivery?

The 2025 Kia Soul has a slight advantage in raw output, offering 147 hp compared to the Kicks' 141 hp. Torque figures are surprisingly close, with the Kicks providing 140 lb-ft to the Soul's 132 lb-ft.

Which car feels smaller and easier to navigate in tight city streets?

The 2025 Kia Soul is slightly more compact overall; it is over 6.7 inches shorter in length (165.2 inches) than the Kicks, which might make it feel nimbler when parallel parking.

Do either of these vehicles offer All-Wheel Drive?

Based on the provided specifications, both the 2025 Kia Soul and the 2026 Nissan Kicks are listed as having front-wheel drive only. Buyers seeking AWD will need to look at other models.

Are the transmissions very different between these two models?

Not significantly, as both the Soul and the Kicks utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT). This means both aim for smooth, efficiency-focused driving rather than aggressive shifting.