2025 Nissan Kicks vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek

$21,830 · Crossover

$26,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical disparity between the 2025 Nissan Kicks and the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is the $5,165 MSRP gap, with the Kicks starting at $21,830 versus the Crosstrek's $26,995. Power delivery also diverges significantly, as the Crosstrek produces 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, substantially outpacing the Kicks' 141 hp and 140 lb-ft. This performance difference is balanced by fuel economy, where the Kicks achieves a superior 31 MPG combined (28/35 City/Highway) compared to the Crosstrek's 29 MPG combined (26/33 City/Highway). Furthermore, utility metrics show the Kicks offering 30 cu ft of cargo capacity against the Crosstrek's 19.9 cu ft. The Crosstrek compensates slightly with a greater length of 176.4 inches versus the Kicks' 171.9 inches, and importantly, it includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) while the Kicks is Front-Wheel Drive (FWD).

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy rating of 31 MPG combined.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks offers significantly more accessible utility with 30 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Crosstrek's 19.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is the enthusiast choice, delivering 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks provides a 31 MPG rating and 30 cu ft of space at a price point that is $5,165 lower than the Crosstrek.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Your budget is strictly under $22,000, given the $21,830 starting MSRP.
Maximizing daily fuel efficiency is paramount, as evidenced by the 31 MPG combined rating.
You require maximum usable storage, benefiting from 30 cu ft of cargo volume.

Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if...

Year-round traction is non-negotiable, thanks to the standard All-Wheel Drive system.
You prioritize raw acceleration, leveraging the 39 hp advantage over the Kicks.
You prefer the added length and slightly lower profile of the 176.4-inch chassis.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Kicks	Subaru Crosstrek
Length	171.9"	176.4"
Width	70.9"	70.9"
Height	64.2"	62.8"
Wheelbase	104.6"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Subaru
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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	141 hp @ 6000 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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	Subaru
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	28/35 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	333.2/416.5 mi.	431.6/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	11.9 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Subaru
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	4	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	39.8 in.
Front Leg Room	42.7 in.	42.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	52.4 in.	55.1 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	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.5 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	34.5 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	54.7 in.	55.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	50.1 in.	53.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Subaru
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	P225/60R17
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Subaru
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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2026 Subaru Crosstrek.

What is the primary drivetrain difference between the 2025 Kicks and 2026 Crosstrek?

The 2025 Nissan Kicks utilizes a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) configuration, whereas the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek comes standard with an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, which heavily influences traction capabilities.

How significant is the performance gap, numerically speaking?

The Subaru Crosstrek leads with 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, creating a 39 hp deficit for the Nissan Kicks, which produces 141 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque.

Which vehicle offers better overall fuel economy?

The Nissan Kicks is more efficient, achieving 31 MPG combined from its FWD setup, while the AWD Subaru Crosstrek is rated slightly lower at 29 MPG combined.

How do the base prices compare for these two crossovers?

The 2025 Nissan Kicks has an MSRP of $21,830, making it $5,165 less expensive than the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek, which starts at $26,995.

Is one vehicle substantially larger than the other in terms of interior volume?

Yes, the Kicks offers substantially more cargo space, providing 30 cu ft, while the Crosstrek manages 19.9 cu ft, although the Crosstrek is slightly longer overall (176.4 inches vs. 171.9 inches).