2026 Mazda CX-30 vs 2026 Nissan Kicks

$25,975 · Crossover

$22,430 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the 2026 Mazda CX-30 and the 2026 Nissan Kicks often comes down to balancing power against upfront cost and efficiency. If you crave a more engaging drive, the CX-30 packs a punch with 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque, compared to the Kicks' 141 hp. However, that performance comes at a premium, with the CX-30 starting at $25,975 versus the Kicks' $22,430—a noticeable $3,545 difference. Fuel economy is another major split; the Kicks leads decisively with 31 combined MPG and a 35 MPG highway rating, besting the CX-30's 27 combined MPG. Furthermore, the Kicks offers significantly more hauling space, boasting 30 cubic feet of cargo room against the Mazda's 20.2 cubic feet, making the choice an assessment of whether premium driving dynamics or daily utility offers better value for your specific needs.

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 superior fuel efficiency, achieving 31 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Kicks

Families will appreciate the Kicks' significantly larger 30 cubic feet of cargo capacity, beating the CX-30's 20.2 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-30

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 is the enthusiast's pick, offering substantially more power with 186 horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2026 Nissan Kicks

The Kicks presents better overall value, costing $3,545 less MSRP and offering better fuel economy.

Choose the Mazda CX-30 if...

You prioritize responsiveness and want 186 horsepower available under the hood.
You prefer the certainty of a traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
All-Wheel Drive capability is a mandatory requirement for your driving conditions.

Choose the Nissan Kicks if...

Saving money upfront is key, as the Kicks has an MSRP of only $22,430.
Maximizing fuel economy is crucial, given its 35 MPG highway rating.
You need maximum storage, benefiting from the Kicks' 30 cubic feet of cargo space.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-30	Nissan Kicks
Length	173.0"	171.9"
Width	70.7"	70.9"
Height	61.4"	64.2"
Wheelbase	104.4"	104.6"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	186 hp @ 6000 rpm	141 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	186 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	Mazda	Nissan
Transmission Type	6-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/31 MPG	28/35 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	27 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	304.8/393.7 mi.	333.2/416.5 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.7 gal.	11.9 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Infotainment Display	8.8 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	4
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Front Head Room	38.1 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	42.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	55.6 in.	54.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.6 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	4-way

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Rear Head Room	38.3 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.3 in.	34.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	53.6 in.	54.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.2 in.	50.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	16 x 6.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/65R16	215/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full

Suspension

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
Front Suspension Type	Independent	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	Nissan
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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Mazda CX-30 and 2026 Nissan Kicks.

How much better is the fuel economy on the Kicks compared to the CX-30?

The 2026 Nissan Kicks is noticeably thriftier, achieving 31 combined MPG versus the 2026 Mazda CX-30’s 27 combined MPG. This 4 MPG advantage means fewer stops at the pump for the Kicks driver.

Which vehicle offers better performance for highway merging?

The 2026 Mazda CX-30 is the stronger performer, producing 186 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque. This is a significant 45 horsepower advantage over the Kicks’ 141 horsepower.

Is the higher price of the Mazda CX-30 justified by its standard features?

The CX-30 starts at $25,975, which is $3,545 more than the Kicks' $22,430 MSRP. While the CX-30 includes standard AWD, you must weigh that against the Kicks' greater cargo space.

Will the smaller size of the CX-30 affect parking or cargo hauling?

The CX-30 is slightly shorter at 173.0 inches long, but the Kicks wins on capacity, offering 30 cubic feet of cargo room compared to the CX-30's 20.2 cubic feet.

Do both crossovers use regular unleaded gas?

Yes, fortunately for both owners, both the 2026 Mazda CX-30 and the 2026 Nissan Kicks are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel, avoiding premium fuel costs.

What are the major differences in their drivetrain setups?

The CX-30 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Conversely, the Kicks is front-wheel drive and utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).