Compare the2026 Toyota Rav4VS 2026 Nissan Kicks

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

Safety

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The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kicks doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Rav4 AWD’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Rav4 and Kicks have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Rav4 SE/Woodland/XLE/XSE/Limited/GR Sport has Parking Support Brake (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 Rav4 and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

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

Engine

The Rav4’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 85 more horsepower (226 vs. 141) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 95 more horsepower (236 vs. 141) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Rav4’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 183 more horsepower (324 vs. 141) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Rav4 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Kicks:

			MPG
Rav4
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	47 city/40 hwy
	AWD	LE/SE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	46 city/39 hwy
		XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	45 city/38 hwy
		2.5 4-cyl. Plug-In Hybrid	44 city/38 hwy
		XSE/Limited 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/37 hwy
		Woodland 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/35 hwy
Kicks
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE/XSE can travel with zero emissions for 52 miles. The Kicks can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Rav4’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Kicks doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Rav4 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Rav4 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (14.5 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Rav4 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port and which locks and unlocks with the power locks, respectively. The Kicks doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Rav4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

	Rav4	Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid	Kicks
Front Rotors	12 inches	12.9 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	12.4 inches	11 inches

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Kicks are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Rav4 has larger tires than the Kicks (235/65R17 vs. 215/65R16). The Rav4 LE’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 Rav4 LE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S. The Rav4 XSE’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Kicks SR.

The Rav4 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kicks; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Rav4 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 Rav4’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the Kicks (105.9 inches vs. 104.6 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Woodland has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks (8.5 vs. 8.4 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Rav4 has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (98.9 vs. 95.7).

The Rav4 has 2.9 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4’s rear seats recline. The Kicks’ rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks with its rear seat up (37.8 vs. 30 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (70.4 vs. 60 cubic feet).

The Rav4’s cargo area is larger than the Kicks’ in almost every dimension:

	Rav4	Kicks
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.8”	32.4”/63.9”
Max Width	60.5”	49.5”
Min Width	39.4”	40.3”
Height	36.7”	31.8”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Kicks doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Rav4 (except LE) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Rav4 XSE/Limited, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Rav4 has a 1750 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 uses the Vehicle 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 Rav4 XSE/Limited/GR Sport, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Kicks doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Rav4 Limited/XSE Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts 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 Rav4’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle and start the vehicle, 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 Rav4’s optional 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.

Both the Rav4 and the Kicks offer available heated front seats. The Rav4 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 Rav4 XSE/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 Rav4’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 Rav4 and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 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 voice command, the Rav4 offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Toyota Rav4 stands out above the Nissan Kicks by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The Rav4 Woodland has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Kicks doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Rav4 (except LE/SE/XLE)’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Kicks doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Nissan Kicks by over six to one during 2024.

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