2025 Nissan Kicks vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson

$21,830 · Crossover

$29,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Nissan Kicks ignites the segment with accessibility, starting aggressively at just $21,830, making it the pragmatic choice for budget-conscious buyers who still demand respectable efficiency, achieving 31 combined MPG. Conversely, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson screams refinement and capability, demanding a premium of $29,200 but delivering substantially more thrust with its 187 horsepower, a 46 hp advantage over the Kicks’ 141 hp. While the Kicks is more nimble at 171.9 inches long, the Tucson offers significant utility, boasting 38.7 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Kicks’ 30 cu ft. The difference in driving experience is palpable: the Kicks prioritizes city maneuverability and low running costs with its FWD setup and excellent 28/35 MPG splits, whereas the larger Tucson leans into smooth power delivery via its 8-speed automatic transmission, making it the better choice for those needing more muscle.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 31 MPG and significantly lower initial cost of $21,830.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Tucson

The Tucson provides superior family utility with nearly 9 cubic feet more cargo capacity at 38.7 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Tucson

Enthusiasts will prefer the Tucson for its substantial power advantage, offering 187 horsepower versus the Kicks' 141 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks delivers unbeatable entry-level value by undercutting the Tucson's price by $7,370.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Your budget is strictly limited, as the Kicks has an MSRP that is $7,370 less than the Tucson.
Maximizing fuel efficiency is critical, evidenced by its 35 MPG highway rating.
You prefer a more compact footprint for easier urban navigation, being only 171.9 inches long.

Choose the Hyundai Tucson if...

You prioritize acceleration and highway merging capability due to its robust 187 horsepower output.
Hauling gear or luggage is frequent, utilizing the Tucson's generous 38.7 cu ft of cargo space.
You desire smoother power shifts from the traditional 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Kicks	Hyundai Tucson
Length	171.9"	182.7"
Width	70.9"	73.4"
Height	64.2"	-
Wheelbase	104.6"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
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	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	141 hp @ 6000 rpm	187 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	178 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
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/35 MPG	25/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	28 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	333.2/416.5 mi.	357.5/471.9 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.9 gal.	14.3 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	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Extended Cabin Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	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	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

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	39.7 in.	40.1 in.
Front Leg Room	42.7 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	57.6 in.
Front Hip Room	52.4 in.	54.5 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.	39.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	34.5 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	56.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.1 in.	53.9 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Steel	Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R16	235/65R17
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

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 and 2026 Hyundai Tucson.

How significant is the performance gap between the 2025 Kicks and the 2026 Tucson?

The performance gap is substantial; the Tucson boasts 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, creating a noticeable advantage over the Kicks, which produces only 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.

Which crossover offers better economy for daily driving?

The Kicks is the clear economy leader, achieving a combined 31 MPG compared to the Tucson’s 28 MPG, making it cheaper to run day-to-day.

Is the 2026 Tucson truly bigger than the 2025 Kicks?

Yes, the Tucson is physically larger, measuring 182.7 inches long compared to the Kicks' 171.9 inches, which directly translates to its superior cargo volume of 38.7 cu ft.

Does the price difference justify the performance increase?

The Tucson costs $7,370 more, which buys you an extra 46 horsepower and better utility metrics, appealing to drivers who value power over budget savings.

What type of transmissions do these two vehicles use?

The Kicks utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), tuned for efficiency, while the Tucson employs a more conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission for a sportier feel.