2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid vs 2025 Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks was designed with young consumers and first-time car buyers in mind, drawing inspiration from sneaker culture to create a vehicle that exuded comfort, agility, and style. The Kicks featured a tougher appearance than most small crossovers, without crossing into sporty territory. Built on the new CMF-B platform, it was slightly larger with increased ground clearance, distinguishing it from its peers. The Kicks offered nine color options, with two-tone configurations available on higher trims, and small design details like the Kicks logo on side-mirror supports and sneaker-tread-like rocker panel trim added a unique touch. LED exterior lighting was standard, and wheel options ranged from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy.

Inside, the Kicks boasted a variety of textures, with some cost-saving measures evident in less visible areas. The carbon-fiber-look panel on the dash was a highlight, offering a soft touch. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats provided comfort and support, with optional heated front seats on higher trims. However, all seats were manually adjustable. The interior design aimed to create a premium feel despite the vehicle's affordability.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, offered a more conservative design, reminiscent of the popular RAV4 but on a larger scale. This approach resulted in a vehicle that could seat up to eight and offered substantial cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. While some materials like glossy hard plastic were used to keep costs down, the overall material quality was decent. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface had a small volume knob and lacked a tuning knob, which could be inconvenient.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks addressed previous criticisms of noise and harshness with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), delivering 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant improvement over the previous generation's 1.6-liter engine. The Kicks now offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option, enhancing its SUV-like feel and making it more suitable for winter conditions. The AWD system used torque vectoring to optimize traction, and the vehicle's multi-link suspension and retuned steering contributed to a balanced driving experience. Noise control was improved with added insulation, though acceleration could be sluggish at times. The Kicks offered a Sport mode for a peppier feel and a Snow mode for AWD versions. Fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for front-wheel drive, with slightly lower numbers for AWD.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD, producing 362 horsepower. This setup allowed for quick acceleration, aided by electric motors that eliminated turbo lag. The Hybrid Max traded some fuel efficiency for power, achieving 27 mpg combined compared to the regular hybrid's 36 mpg. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds, outperforming the regular hybrid. During testing, the Hybrid Max averaged 23.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The ride quality was soft and isolating, though road undulations could cause some vertical and lateral movement. Handling was secure but limited, with early tire scrub and squeal. Visibility was excellent, aided by cameras, though the front camera's frequent screen takeover was a minor annoyance.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks offered a good view of the road, though the seating position was low and required manual adjustment. The proximity lock and unlock feature on higher trims provided convenience. The redesign improved cabin space, especially in the second row, and the panoramic moonroof added an airy feel. The Kicks boasted best-in-class cargo space, with up to 30 cubic feet available (23.9 cubic feet with AWD) and 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, wind buffeting was an issue with only the driver's window down, requiring additional windows or the moonroof to be opened for relief.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid offered comfortable seating across all three rows, with nearly 100 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The Platinum trim featured a Portobello interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and supportive cushions. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed for easy access to the third row. The Grand Highlander provided 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.5 cubic feet with the second row down. However, the rear doors were long and could be cumbersome in tight spaces, and the sharp corners posed a risk to neighboring vehicles.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks offered a basic infotainment system on the base trim, with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a four-speaker stereo. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and a six-speaker stereo, with the SR trim offering dual 12.3-inch screens and an optional Bose audio system with headrest speakers. The SR’s setup was praised for its crisp screens and easy-to-use controls, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all trims, with higher trims offering a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and access to Apple Music and Amazon Music. Toyota Connected Services provided additional features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and digital voice assistant. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the inability to view multiple main-menu screens simultaneously and the low-contrast font were minor drawbacks. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and surround-view camera system, with the JBL audio system delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks came standard with a rearview camera and Safety Shield 360, which included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. ProPilot Assist was standard on the SV trim, offering advanced driver-assistance features. The Kicks also offered a 360-degree monitor system, a first for a subcompact crossover. However, it had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features and driver-assistance technologies. Proactive Driving Assist was standard, though it could be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from NHTSA but did not achieve a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.