2025 Mazda CX-30 vs 2026 Nissan Kicks

$25,195 · Crossover

$22,430 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Mazda CX-30 and the 2026 Nissan Kicks often boils down to balancing performance versus pure economy. If you prioritize spirited driving, the CX-30 is the clear winner, delivering a healthy 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kicks' 141 hp. However, budget-conscious buyers will appreciate the Kicks starting at an MSRP of $22,430 versus the CX-30's $25,195 entry price, saving over $2,700 upfront. Efficiency seekers will also favor the Kicks, which achieves a combined 31 MPG, narrowly beating the CX-30’s 29 MPG rating. Furthermore, the Kicks offers substantially more utility with 30 cu ft of cargo space, whereas the CX-30 only manages 20.2 cu ft. It’s a classic trade-off: fun and premium feel versus budget and maximum packing capacity for your daily errands.

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 superior combined fuel economy of 31 MPG and lower initial cost.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Kicks

Families will benefit more from the Kicks' larger 30 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly outhauling the CX-30's 20.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-30

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 provides enthusiast appeal with 191 horsepower, a substantial 50 hp advantage over the Kicks.

💰 Best Value

2026 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks offers better overall value by starting $2,765 cheaper and delivering higher fuel efficiency.

Choose the Mazda CX-30 if...

You frequently drive on highways and appreciate having 191 horsepower for confident merging and passing.
You prefer the balanced driving feel provided by a 6-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.
You prefer the slightly smaller exterior footprint, measuring 173.0 inches in length.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Maximizing storage is crucial, as the Kicks boasts 30 cu ft of cargo space compared to 20.2 cu ft.
You are looking to save money, with an MSRP of $22,430 versus the CX-30's $25,195.
You want the best mileage, achieving 35 MPG on the highway using regular unleaded fuel.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-30	Nissan Kicks
Length	173.0"	171.9"
Width	70.7"	70.9"
Height	61.7"	64.2"
Wheelbase	104.4"	104.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6000 rpm	141 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	186 lb-ft @ 4000 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
Fuel Injection Type	✓	—
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/33 MPG	28/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	29 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	330.2/419.1 mi.	333.2/416.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.7 gal.	11.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Infotainment Display	8.8 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	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Front Head Room	38.1 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	42.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	54.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.6 in.	52.4 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

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Rear Head Room	38.3 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.3 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.2 in.	50.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/65R16	215/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-30 and 2026 Nissan Kicks.

Which crossover is generally more fun to drive between the CX-30 and the Kicks?

The Mazda CX-30 is certainly the more engaging choice. It offers 191 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, giving it significantly more punch than the Kicks' 141 hp, making acceleration much livelier.

Is the Nissan Kicks noticeably smaller than the Mazda CX-30 for city parking?

The two vehicles are very close in size, but the Kicks is slightly smaller overall. The Kicks measures 171.9 inches long, while the CX-30 is 173.0 inches long, though the Kicks is taller at 64.2 inches.

How much does the difference in MPG affect long-term running costs?

The Kicks has a slight edge with a combined 31 MPG versus the CX-30's 29 MPG. While both use regular unleaded, this small difference, combined with the Kicks' lower starting MSRP of $22,430, contributes to better long-term value.

If I haul a lot of gear, which crossover should I pick?

You should absolutely lean toward the 2026 Nissan Kicks. It offers 30 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is nearly 10 cubic feet more space than the 20.2 cu ft found in the Mazda CX-30.

Do both vehicles offer All-Wheel Drive?

No, they have different standard drivetrains based on the provided data. The 2025 Mazda CX-30 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, whereas the 2026 Nissan Kicks comes standard with Front Wheel Drive.