Compare the2025 Honda HR-VVS 2025 Nissan Kicks

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda HR-V 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 HR-V’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the HR-V and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Kicks:

The Honda HR-V 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 has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

The HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (158 vs. 141) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda HR-V is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

The HR-V has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The HR-V has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (14 vs. 12.4 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda HR-V higher (7 out of 10) than the Nissan Kicks (6). This means the HR-V produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kicks every 15,000 miles.

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

The HR-V stops shorter than the Kicks:

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

For superior ride and handling, the Honda HR-V 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 better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the HR-V is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

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

The HR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Kicks doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the HR-V EX-L AWD is quieter than the Kicks SR AWD (76 vs. 77 dB).

The HR-V has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (98.7 vs. 95.7).

The HR-V has 1.6 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

The front step up height for the HR-V is .6 inches lower than the Kicks (18.4” vs. 19”). The HR-V’s rear step up height is 1.1 inches lower than the Kicks’ (17.9” vs. 19”).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

On a hot day the HR-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Kicks can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The HR-V EX-L’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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda HR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Nissan Kicks by almost two to one during 2024.