2025 Nissan Kicks vs 2026 Ford Maverick

$21,830 · Crossover

$28,145 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical discrepancy between the 2025 Nissan Kicks and the 2026 Ford Maverick lies in the initial pricing, with the Kicks starting at $21,830 versus the Maverick’s $28,145—a $6,315 disparity. Performance metrics favor the Maverick, which boasts 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kicks' 141 hp and 140 lb-ft. However, the Kicks adheres to a smaller footprint at 171.9 inches in length, whereas the larger Maverick measures 199.8 inches. Fuel economy presents a complex tradeoff; the Kicks achieves a 31 MPG combined rating, while the Maverick significantly outperforms it at 38 MPG combined, driven partly by its superior 42 MPG city rating versus the Kicks' 28 MPG city. Furthermore, the Kicks offers 30 cu ft of cargo space, which is substantially less than the usable space provided by the larger Maverick platform.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Ford Maverick

The 2026 Ford Maverick wins for commuters due to its superior 38 MPG combined fuel efficiency compared to the Kicks' 31 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Ford Maverick

The 2026 Ford Maverick is superior for families due to its larger dimensions, being 27.9 inches longer and notably taller at 68.8 inches.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Ford Maverick

The 2026 Ford Maverick is the enthusiast choice, delivering 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, significantly exceeding the Kicks' output.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks offers better transactional value, starting $6,315 less than the 2026 Ford Maverick.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Your priority is minimizing the initial purchase price, as the Kicks starts at only $21,830.
You prefer a more compact exterior dimension, measuring 171.9 inches in length.
You desire a slightly lower height, with the Kicks sitting at 64.2 inches compared to the Maverick's 68.8 inches.

Choose the Ford Maverick if...

Maximizing fuel economy is crucial, evidenced by the Maverick’s 38 MPG combined rating versus 31 MPG for the Kicks.
You require higher engine output, as the Maverick provides 191 hp against the Kicks' 141 hp.
A superior city fuel economy of 42 MPG is needed, contrasting with the Kicks' 28 MPG in urban driving.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Kicks	Ford Maverick
Length	171.9"	199.8"
Width	70.9"	72.6"
Height	64.2"	68.8"
Wheelbase	104.6"	121.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Ford
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	—
Lane Departure Warning	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Driver Attention 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 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 Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Ford
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	hybrid
Horsepower	141 hp @ 6000 rpm	191 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	155 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	Nissan	Ford
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	electrically variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Ford
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/35 MPG	42/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	38 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	333.2/416.5 mi.	579.6/483.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.9 gal.	13.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Ford
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	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Ford
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	13.2 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Ford
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	42.7 in.	42.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	57.3 in.
Front Hip Room	52.4 in.	55.4 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	Nissan	Ford
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	34.5 in.	35.9 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.1 in.	54.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Ford
Wheel Material	Steel	—
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R16	P225/65R17
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Steel
Wheel Diameter	—	17 in
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Nissan	Ford
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Ford
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.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2026 Ford Maverick.

What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 Nissan Kicks and the 2026 Ford Maverick?

The 2026 Ford Maverick delivers significantly higher power, generating 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 Nissan Kicks offers a modest 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 50 hp deficit.

How much more expensive is the 2026 Ford Maverick compared to the 2025 Nissan Kicks?

The Maverick has an MSRP of $28,145, making it $6,315 more expensive than the Kicks, which starts at $21,830. This price gap reflects the Maverick's larger size and enhanced performance figures.

Which vehicle is better for highway driving based on EPA estimates?

Both vehicles achieve an identical 35 MPG on the highway. However, the Maverick's overall combined efficiency of 38 MPG is superior to the Kicks' 31 MPG combined rating.

Are there significant differences in vehicle size and footprint?

Yes, the Maverick is considerably larger; its length is 199.8 inches compared to the Kicks’ 171.9 inches. The Maverick is also wider (72.6 inches vs. 70.9 inches) and taller (68.8 inches vs. 64.2 inches).

How does the transmission type vary between these two crossovers?

The 2025 Nissan Kicks utilizes a traditional continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT). In contrast, the 2026 Ford Maverick employs an electrically variable-speed automatic transmission, supporting its hybrid-like efficiency in the FWD configuration.

Does cargo capacity factor into this comparison?

Based on the provided data, the Kicks lists 30 cu ft of cargo capacity. While the Maverick's specific capacity is not listed, its significantly greater exterior length suggests a potentially larger overall cargo volume.