The 2024 Kicks Versus the Competition

Our favorite subcompact SUV is returning to the streets for 2024. Nissan’s newest Kicks is yet another well-performing, fuel-efficient vehicle designed to take on the competition. While there are some honorable mentions out there, there are only four true challengers: the Chevy Trax, the Hyundai Venue, the Mazda CX-30, and the Volkswagen Taos.

Let’s see how these SUVs compare when they go head-to-head in terms of performance and special features. In the end, you will see why people are hunting down the 2024 Nissan Kicks for sale at our dealership.

The 2024 Nissan Kicks

The 2024 Kicks is built with precision in mind, enabling its drivers to move smoothly through cities and travel down highways with ease. In its segment, the Kicks comes out on top in terms of fuel economy, getting 31 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway; this means less frequent gas station stops and performance levels that don’t quit.

With a 1.6L I-4 engine on its side, the Kicks gets 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque, and its FWD drivetrain is ready to excite. Get on the road with a 2024 Kicks; you won’t be disappointed as it stays ahead with the best fuel economy figures in its segment.

Nissan has equipped this SUV with some amazing features, such as its 360-degree bird’s-eye-view camera network, a versatile interior that can hold up to 32.3 cu.ft. of cargo, and an integrated dynamics-control module that gives you complete command of the road. It even has the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, which gives drivers confidence and protection.

Safety Shield 360 is comparable to the Trax’s Chevy Safety Assist, though there are more standard advanced safety systems and a comparable number of driver assistance features. The former set includes the typical safety features, like airbags, monitoring systems, and guards, while the latter set includes tools like emergency braking and a lane departure warning.

Versus the Chevy Trax

The 2024 Chevy Trax comes in with some strength with a 1.2L EcoTec Turbo I-3 engine that offers a bit more power with 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. However, it does sacrifice fuel economy. The 2024 Trax also has a front-wheel drivetrain but with a six-speed automatic transmission rather than a CVT like the Kicks. The Trax is a smaller, sportier ride, though the Kicks is refined with practical functions for the daily routine. With a slightly better performance, the Trax still comes under the mark in terms of fuel economy, making the 2024 Kicks the optimal choice.

The Trax does have a lot in common with the Kicks, like affordability, performance, and safety. However, let’s take a look at special features. The Trax offers more simple solutions to their convenience, like wireless charging, smartphone syncing, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and tech that’ll keep you connected at all times. It offers a larger cargo hold with a max of 54.1 cu.ft. of space. The other special features the Trax can offer are design options like grille, emblems, bowties, etc. As far as the competition, the Kicks have more convenience added to enhance the driving experience.

Versus the Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Hyundai Venue comes the closest in the competition in terms of performance with the same 1.6L I-4 engine with 121 hp and 113 lb-ft of torque. It even has the same CVT transmission. However, with a combined fuel economy of 31 MPG, the 2024 Kicks still beats out the Venue with 33 MPG combined. This makes sense as the Venue is about $1k more expensive. By lacking in horsepower and fuel economy, the Venue is shy of victory in this face-off—so, like those old cowboy westerns, the Kicks is the only one left standing.

It wouldn’t be a fair fight if we kept going, but the Venue does have some unique features worth mentioning. It has an 8.0-inch touchscreen to keep you informed, entertained, and connected, as well as BlueLink+ for remote connection and compatibility with Apple and Android products. Hyundai Smart Sense also provides some confidence with standard safety features like forward collision alert, blind-spot warning, etc.

When checking out higher trim options, the Hyundai can also provide “snow mode” for better traction in snowy and icy conditions. Other than those few average features, the Kicks is able to offer more variety and unique features that boost confidence, comfort, and convenience.

Versus the Mazda CX-30

Like Chevy, Mazda’s CX-30 has exceptional performance with two choices for their engines: 2.5L I-4 and 2.5L Turbo I-4. They both offer more horsepower with 191-250 hp and a six-speed automatic transmission with higher torque output (186-320 lb-ft) that beats the 2024 Kicks.

However, in terms of fuel economy, our stellar Kicks comes out on top again as the Mazda CX-30 has an AWD drivetrain with 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. This model does have quite a few more trim options than the others and offers those engine choices for powerful performance and easy handling.

The Mazda CX-30 has a higher MSRP by almost $5k, but there is a reason, as this SUV enters the ring and comes in strong with an uppercut in that it brings a lot of luxury to the segment. Its head-turning design is distinctive and can easily be the center of attention no matter where you go, even if you’re competing against luxury cars.

This is also a stellar vehicle for connectivity tech, including a remote start that you can control from your phone or smartwatch. The 10.25-inch display is at your disposal, and you can control the volume and media that projects through a Bose sound system, which has 12 speakers custom-made specifically for the Mazda CX-30.

Versus the Volkswagen Taos

The 2024 Volkswagen Taos is a subcompact SUV like the best of them, with a powerful 1.5L I-4 Turbo engine that gives drivers 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Its exceptional performance, however, does not outweigh the lack in fuel economy, with a combined 31 MPG in FWD and a combined 27 MPG in AWD. The 2024 Kicks is the overall champ in fuel economy in this SUV segment.

The Volkswagen Taos also offers some pretty decent special features that provide drivers and passengers peace of mind. It is an intuitive ride with driving assistant technology like light assistance, parking distance control, lane assist, travel assist, emergency assist, dynamic road sign display, etc. It does, however, have the second-highest MSRP (coming in just under the Mazda CX-30), but it offers better tech and safety features. However, if you are looking for a more affordable SUV, then the Nissan Kicks is your best bet to get a lot for a little.

Comparing Competitors

While there is much to commend about the competition, there is nothing quite like the Nissan Kicks, as it beats out the others in fuel economy, practicality, and unique features that Nissan fans can’t get enough of. With an affordable price tag, the Kicks is more accessible without sacrificing quality. In fact, its cozy interior, sleek exterior, and user-friendly design make this SUV feel like you’re on top of the world—a priceless feeling.