2025 Nissan Kicks vs 2026 Kia Sportage

$21,830 · Crossover

$28,690 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2025 Nissan Kicks and the 2026 Kia Sportage often comes down to a budget versus size trade-off. Are you willing to spend an extra $6,860 for more space and power? The Kicks enters the ring with an accessible starting MSRP of $21,830 and boasts superior fuel economy, hitting a combined 31 MPG, which will save significant money over time compared to the Sportage's 28 MPG combined. However, the Sportage feels substantially larger, offering 39.6 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Kicks' 30 cu ft, making it better suited for hauling gear. Power is a key differentiator: the Sportage delivers 187 hp, significantly outmuscling the Kicks' 141 hp. While the Kicks is shorter at 171.9 inches, the Sportage offers more room inside despite consuming slightly more fuel and having a higher initial cost.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks wins for commuters due to its lower entry price of $21,830 and better fuel efficiency at 31 MPG combined.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Kia Sportage

The Sportage is the clear winner for families, providing nearly 10 cubic feet more cargo space at 39.6 cu ft versus 30 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Kia Sportage

The Sportage appeals more to enthusiasts by offering 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, significantly better than the Kicks' 141 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks offers better overall value by saving buyers $6,860 upfront while still delivering decent efficiency.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Your absolute top priority is keeping the purchase price low, starting at just $21,830.
You prioritize maximizing fuel economy, as the Kicks achieves 35 MPG on the highway.
You prefer a smaller, more manageable vehicle size, with a length of only 171.9 inches.

Choose the Kia Sportage if...

You frequently haul larger items, taking advantage of the Sportage's 39.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
You need quicker acceleration provided by the Sportage's 187 hp engine.
You prefer the refined feel of a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Kicks	Kia Sportage
Length	171.9"	184.4"
Width	70.9"	73.4"
Height	64.2"	65.4"
Wheelbase	104.6"	108.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Kia
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	Kia
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	Kia
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Kia
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	Kia
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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Kia
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	39.6 in.
Front Leg Room	42.7 in.	41.4 in.
Front Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	57.5 in.
Front Hip Room	52.4 in.	54.8 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	Kia
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	34.5 in.	41.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.6 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.1 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Kia
Wheel Material	Steel	—
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
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Kia
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.	5 yr./ 100000 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 Kia Sportage.

What is the main cost difference between these two crossovers?

The 2026 Kia Sportage has a significantly higher starting MSRP at $28,690 compared to the 2025 Nissan Kicks' $21,830, resulting in a $6,860 price gap.

Is the extra cost of the Sportage justified by performance gains?

Yes, if performance matters to you; the Sportage produces 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, which is 46 hp more than the Kicks' 141 hp.

Which vehicle is better for long road trips in terms of fuel savings?

The Nissan Kicks is better for minimizing stops, achieving a combined 31 MPG versus the Sportage's 28 MPG combined rating.

How much more passenger or cargo room does the larger Sportage offer?

The Sportage is physically larger in every dimension and offers substantially more storage, boasting 39.6 cu ft of cargo room compared to the Kicks' 30 cu ft.

Are there differences in the transmission type between the two?

Yes, the Kicks uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), while the Sportage features a more traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.