2025 Nissan Kicks vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Nissan Kicks was designed with a youthful audience in mind, drawing inspiration from sneaker culture to create a vehicle that exuded comfort, agility, and style. The Kicks designers aimed to make the vehicle appear tougher than other small crossovers without crossing into the sporty territory. Built on the new CMF-B platform, the Kicks was slightly larger and had more ground clearance, distinguishing it from its competitors. The vehicle was available in nine colors, with two-tone configurations on mid and top trims, and featured thoughtful details like the Kicks logo on side-mirror supports and sneaker-tread-like rocker panel trim, enhancing its premium feel despite its affordability.

Inside, the Kicks offered a mix of textures, with some cost-saving measures evident in less visible areas. The carbon-fiber-look panel on the dash was a highlight, being soft to the touch. The Zero Gravity seats provided comfort and support, available in standard cloth or optional synthetic leather, with heated front seats as an option on higher trims. However, all seats were manually adjustable. The Kicks came standard with LED exterior lighting and 16-inch steel wheels, with options for 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models featured distinctive grille blocks and amber accent lights. The side profile showcased angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while the rear view had rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover.

Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the Executive package offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though some buttons were hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, had firm cushions that could be uncomfortable on long drives. The surrounding materials were of excellent quality, with options for engineered wood or carbon fiber trim. The Telluride's interior was spacious, with ample room for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better suited for smaller passengers.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks addressed previous criticisms of being loud and harsh by introducing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a new CVT, producing 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant improvement over the previous 1.6-liter engine, which had 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. The new powertrain allowed the Kicks to keep pace with traffic while maintaining good fuel economy. The introduction of AWD, available across the lineup, enhanced the Kicks' SUV-like feel and made it more suitable for winter conditions. The AWD system used torque vectoring to improve traction, and the multi-link suspension and retuned steering provided a balanced driving experience with minimal body roll.

The Kicks' cabin was quieter, thanks to added insulation, and the ride was comfortable. However, acceleration was sometimes slow, particularly at high elevations, and Sport mode only marginally improved performance. The Kicks offered a Snow mode for AWD versions, optimizing torque and yaw control in slippery conditions. Fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for FWD, while AWD models achieved 37 city, 34 highway, and 30 combined.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Hybrid version added electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes.

Both Telluride models prioritized comfort, delivering a smooth ride. The X-Pro Prestige trim was comfortable despite its off-road suspension, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed on winding roads, though not particularly sporty. The brake pedal required some getting used to, but brake response was immediate in panic stops. The Telluride's interior was quiet, with minimal wind noise at highway speeds.

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 SV and SR trims provided hands-free access. The redesign improved cabin space, particularly 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 (23.9 with AWD) and 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, wind buffeting was an issue with only the driver's window down.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rear seats were better for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim, though they were slow to slide and tilt for third-row access. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cu-ft of cargo behind the third row, with a maximum of 89.3 cu-ft with seats folded. The Hybrid models lost about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds (4,500 for the Hybrid).

The 2025 Nissan Kicks' base infotainment system was basic, with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a four-speaker stereo. The SV trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and a six-speaker stereo. The SR trim featured dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless charging, and a Bose audio system with 10 speakers, including headrest speakers. The SR's setup was user-friendly, with crisp screens and steering wheel-mounted controls.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control screen. The LX and S trims had a smaller 4.2-inch instrument panel. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, though some delays and hard taps were required. The Telluride SX trim and above featured a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks came standard with a rearview camera and Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. 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. The Kicks had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective. The Telluride had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.