Compare the2026 Hyundai TucsonVS 2025 Nissan Kicks

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Tucson achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Kicks has not been tested.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Tucson’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

Both the Tucson and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tucson has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Tucson and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Tucson is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	Tucson	Kicks
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	364	476
Neck Injury Risk	24%	43.8%
Neck Stress	164 lbs.	476 lbs.
Neck Compression	14 lbs.	76 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	27/60 lbs.	121/138 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	325	338
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	67.5%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	253 lbs.
Neck Compression	59 lbs.	76 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	51/13 lbs.	234/256 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Tucson is much safer than the Kicks:

	Tucson	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Tucson is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	Tucson	Kicks
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	71	124
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	206
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	614 lbs.	797 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Tucson is .5% to 3.9% less likely to roll over than the Kicks.

The Hyundai Tucson has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Kicks is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The Tucson comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Kicks’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Kicks. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Kicks ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Kicks’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 2 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 46 more horsepower (187 vs. 141) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Tucson is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Tucson	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	9 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.8 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84.4 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Tucson has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tucson has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 12.4 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Tucson’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

	Tucson	Kicks
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	11 inches

The Tucson stops much shorter than the Kicks:

	Tucson	Kicks
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tucson has larger tires than the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R16). The Tucson’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 225/45R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Tucson has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Tucson has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kicks 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Tucson’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Kicks doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Kicks (108.5 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Tucson is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

The Tucson’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58% to 42%) than the Kicks’ (61% to 39%). This gives the Tucson more stable handling and braking.

The Tucson XRT AWD handles at .85 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tucson Limited AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Kicks SR (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Tucson uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Kicks doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Tucson has 12.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (108.2 vs. 95.7).

The Tucson has .4 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 6.8 inches more rear legroom, 3.8 inches more rear hip room and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Tucson’s rear seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks with its rear seat up (38.7 vs. 30 cubic feet). The Tucson has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (74.8 vs. 60 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Kicks doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Tucson has a 2750 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Kicks doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Tucson Limited, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kicks doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Tucson Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kicks doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Tucson Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kicks doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the Tucson and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Tucson is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Kicks prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

On a hot day the Tucson’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Kicks can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Tucson’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Kicks only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Kicks SV/SR.

When the Tucson Limited is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Kicks’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Tucson and the Kicks offer available heated front seats. The Tucson Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kicks.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Tucson Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Kicks doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Tucson and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks, the Hyundai Tucson eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to traditional radio, the Hyundai Tucson’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Tucson Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Kicks doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Nissan Kicks by almost three to one during 2024.

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