2025 Nissan Kicks Play vs 2026 Hyundai Sonata

$21,520 · Hatchback

$27,300 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The most significant disparity between the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play and the 2026 Hyundai Sonata is the $5,780 difference in MSRP, positioning the Kicks at $21,520 versus the Sonata's $27,300. This price point corresponds with substantial performance differences: the Sonata generates 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Kicks' 122 hp and 114 lb-ft. Conversely, the Kicks, a hatchback measuring 169.1 inches long, offers superior utility with 25.3 cu ft of cargo space, compared to the larger 193.3-inch Sonata sedan's 15.6 cu ft. Fuel economy remains competitive, with the Kicks achieving 33 MPG combined versus the Sonata’s 32 MPG combined. The Sonata utilizes a more conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Kicks employs a CVT.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Kicks Play

The Kicks achieves slightly better combined fuel economy at 33 MPG and costs $5,780 less, optimizing daily running costs.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Kicks Play

Despite being smaller overall, the Kicks hatchback provides substantially more usable cargo capacity at 25.3 cu ft versus the Sonata's 15.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata is vastly superior in power output, delivering 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kicks' 122 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Kicks Play

The Kicks offers a much lower entry price of $21,520 while still providing competitive utility and 33 MPG combined.

Choose the Nissan Kicks Play if...

Your budget is strictly limited, as the MSRP is $21,520.
Maximizing cargo utility is crucial, demonstrated by its 25.3 cu ft capacity.
You prioritize slightly better combined efficiency, achieving 33 MPG.

Choose the Hyundai Sonata if...

Maximum acceleration is desired, due to its 191 hp output.
You prefer the longer wheelbase and increased width (73.2 inches) of a full sedan.
You value a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Kicks Play	Hyundai Sonata
Length	169.1"	193.3"
Width	69.3"	73.2"
Height	63.3"	56.9"
Wheelbase	103.1"	111.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-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 Drum Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Fixed Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
LED Headlights	—	✓
Daytime Running Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	1.6 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	122 hp @ 6300 rpm	191 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	114 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	181 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	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	31/36 MPG	28/38 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	33 MPG	32 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	334.8/388.8 mi.	445.2/604.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	10.8 gal.	15.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Front Head Room	40.4 in.	40.0 in.
Front Leg Room	43.7 in.	46.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	53.0 in.	57.9 in.
Front Hip Room	50.9 in.	54.6 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	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	33.4 in.	34.8 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.2 in.	56.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	49.1 in.	54.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.0 in.	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/60R16	205/65R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—

Suspension

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play and 2026 Hyundai Sonata.

What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 Kicks and the 2026 Sonata?

The 2026 Hyundai Sonata produces 191 horsepower, which is 69 hp more than the 2025 Nissan Kicks' 122 hp. Furthermore, the Sonata offers 181 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kicks' 114 lb-ft.

Which vehicle offers superior cargo space for hauling?

The 2025 Nissan Kicks hatchback provides significantly more cargo volume at 25.3 cubic feet. The 2026 Hyundai Sonata sedan only manages 15.6 cubic feet in the trunk area.

How do the fuel economies compare for daily driving?

The Kicks is marginally more efficient overall, achieving 33 MPG combined (31 city/36 highway). The Sonata lags slightly at 32 MPG combined, although it boasts better highway efficiency at 38 MPG.

What is the exact difference in initial cost between these two models?

The 2026 Hyundai Sonata starts at an MSRP of $27,300, making it $5,780 more expensive than the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play, which is priced at $21,520.

Are the transmissions fundamentally different between the two cars?

Yes, the Kicks uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), a common choice for maximizing economy in smaller crossovers. The Sonata employs a more driver-engaging 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

How much larger is the Sonata physically compared to the Kicks?

The Sonata is substantially longer, measuring 193.3 inches compared to the Kicks' 169.1 inches. The Sonata is also wider at 73.2 inches versus 69.3 inches for the Kicks.