Compare the2026 Hyundai Tucson HybridVS 2026 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 Hybrid 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Tucson Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Kicks.

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

Both the Tucson Hybrid and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid weighs 466 to 918 pounds more than the Nissan Kicks. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	Tucson Hybrid	Kicks
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars

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 Hybrid is much safer than the Kicks:

	Tucson Hybrid	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

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

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 90 more horsepower (231 vs. 141) and 131 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

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

	Tucson Hybrid	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.1 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Tucson Hybrid gets better mileage than the Kicks:

			MPG
Tucson Hybrid
	AWD	Blue 1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/38 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/37 hwy
Kicks
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Tucson Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Kicks doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Tucson Hybrid has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (13.7 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Tucson Hybrid has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (13.7 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Tucson Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Kicks. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

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

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

The Tucson Hybrid stops shorter than the Kicks:

	Tucson Hybrid	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	167 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Tucson Hybrid has larger tires than the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 215/65R16). The Tucson Hybrid Blue SE’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 Hybrid Blue SE 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 Hybrid 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Tucson Hybrid’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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (59% to 41%) than the Kicks’ (61% to 39%). This gives the Tucson Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited handles at .86 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Kicks SR (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid has 12.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (107.9 vs. 95.7).

The Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (74.5 vs. 60 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Hybrid’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 Hybrid SEL/Limited’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Tucson Hybrid’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 Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Tucson Hybrid’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.

The Tucson Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kicks’ power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Tucson Hybrid Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kicks’ intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

When the Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid and the Kicks offer available heated front seats. The Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid 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 Hybrid’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 Hybrid and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Tucson Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks SV/SR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard Dynamic Voice Control, the Tucson Hybrid Limited offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Tucson Hybrid 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 Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Kicks isn't recommended.

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

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