Compare the2025 Honda HR-VVS 2025 Nissan Kicks

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Servicing Ease
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 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.

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

	HR-V	Kicks
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	139	476
Neck Injury Risk	30.8%	43.8%
Neck Stress	134 lbs.	476 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	76 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	278	338
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	41.3%	67.5%
Neck Stress	153 lbs.	253 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	76 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	215/108 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 HR-V is much safer than the Kicks:

	HR-V	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	203	307
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	382/337 pounds	405/562 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	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 Honda HR-V is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	HR-V	Kicks
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	87	124
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	118 lbs.	126 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	173	206
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	292	303
Spine Acceleration	42 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	564 lbs.	797 lbs.

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

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:

	HR-V	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	139	158
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	245 lbs.
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	112 lbs.
Neck Compression	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.42 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	625 lbs.	669 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the HR-V is 3.6% to 5.8% less likely to roll over 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 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Reliability

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.

Engine

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:

	HR-V	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	9.6 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	17.3 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	82.8 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	HR-V	Kicks
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11 inches

The HR-V stops shorter than the Kicks:

	HR-V	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	172 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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.

Suspension and Handling

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 EX-L AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

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).

Passenger Space

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”).

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

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.

Compared to traditional radio, the Honda HR-V’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.

Recommendations

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.

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