2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz vs 2026 Nissan Kicks

$29,500 · Crossover

$22,430 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

So, you're weighing the practical, affordable utility of the 2026 Nissan Kicks against the roomier, punchier nature of the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz—it's a classic case of needs versus wants colliding with your budget. The first thing that jumps out is the substantial $7,070 price gap, with the Kicks starting at just $22,430 compared to the Santa Cruz's $29,500 MSRP. While the Santa Cruz offers a significant performance edge with 191 hp versus the Kicks' 141 hp, that power comes at an efficiency cost; the Kicks achieves a superior 31 MPG combined, beating the Santa Cruz's 25 MPG combined. Furthermore, the Santa Cruz is noticeably larger, measuring 195.7 inches in length, while the more compact Kicks focuses on easy city maneuvering. This comparison boils down to whether you prioritize hauling capability and extra horsepower or maximizing fuel savings and minimizing initial outlay.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Nissan Kicks

The 2026 Nissan Kicks wins for commuters due to its exceptional 31 MPG combined fuel economy.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz offers more physical space, being 195.7 inches long, which generally translates to better utility for family duties.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz

The 2026 Santa Cruz appeals more to enthusiasts by providing 191 horsepower, substantially more than the Kicks' 141 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Nissan Kicks

With a starting MSRP that is $7,070 lower than Car 1, the Nissan Kicks delivers better baseline value.

Choose the Hyundai Santa Cruz if...

You frequently need more power and desire 191 hp for highway merging and passing.
You need a slightly larger vehicle footprint, evidenced by its 195.7-inch length.
You prefer the responsiveness of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Keeping initial purchase cost low is a priority, as it saves $7,070 off the sticker price.
You want the best fuel economy, achieving 35 MPG on the highway.
Maximum cargo space behind the seats is crucial, offering 30 cu ft in a smaller frame.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Santa Cruz	Nissan Kicks
Length	195.7"	171.9"
Width	75.0"	70.9"
Height	66.7"	64.2"
Wheelbase	118.3"	104.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

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

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6100 rpm	141 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	140 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	Hyundai	Nissan
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/30 MPG	28/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	389.4/531.0 mi.	333.2/416.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.7 gal.	11.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	—
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.4 in.	42.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	54.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.5 in.	52.4 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

Rearseats

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.5 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.1 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.5 in.	50.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	215/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz and 2026 Nissan Kicks.

What is the main performance difference between the 2026 Santa Cruz and the 2026 Kicks?

The Santa Cruz pulls ahead significantly in power, boasting 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, the Kicks produces 141 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque, making the Santa Cruz feel much stronger under acceleration.

How much more expensive is the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz compared to the 2026 Nissan Kicks?

The Santa Cruz has a notable price premium, starting at $29,500, which is $7,070 more expensive than the Kicks' starting MSRP of $22,430.

Which crossover is significantly better for gas mileage on long trips?

The Kicks is the clear winner for highway driving efficiency, reaching 35 MPG, compared to the Santa Cruz's 30 MPG highway rating.

Is the Santa Cruz substantially larger than the Kicks?

Yes, the Santa Cruz is physically bigger across the board; it is about 23.8 inches longer (195.7 in vs 171.9 in) and offers more interior volume, though only the Kicks' specific cargo volume of 30 cu ft was specified.

Do both models require premium fuel?

No, both the 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz and the 2026 Nissan Kicks are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, keeping running costs predictable for both.

What about the difference in transmissions?

The Santa Cruz uses a traditional 8-speed shiftable automatic, which enthusiasts might prefer for driver engagement, while the Kicks utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) aimed at optimizing efficiency.