Compare the2025 Kia SoulVS 2025 Nissan Kicks

Both the Soul and Kicks offer rear cross-traffic warning, but the Soul with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning also has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (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 Soul and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 and available blind spot warning systems.

The Soul comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Kicks’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Soul 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Kicks. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Kicks ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Soul third among small suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Kicks isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 6th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 3 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

The Soul’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (147 vs. 141) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kia Soul is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

On the EPA test cycle the Soul gets better mileage than the Kicks:

The Soul has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Soul has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (14.3 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Soul stops much shorter than the Kicks:

For better traction, the Soul GT-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R19).

The Soul handles at .91 G’s, while the Kicks SR AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Soul executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Kicks SR AWD (26.8 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Soul is 6.7 inches shorter than the Kicks, making the Soul easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Soul has 6.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks (102.2 vs. 95.7).

The Soul has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear hip room than the Kicks.

The front step up height for the Soul is 2.8 inches lower than the Kicks (16.2” vs. 19”). The Soul’s rear step up height is 1.6 inches lower than the Kicks’ (17.4” vs. 19”).

The Soul has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks with its rear seat folded (62.1 vs. 60 cubic feet).

The Soul uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Kicks uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Soul Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed 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 power windows standard on both the Soul and the Kicks have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Soul is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Kicks prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Soul S/EX/GT-Line’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 the Nissan Kicks, the Kia Soul eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to traditional radio, the Kia Soul’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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Soul, based on reliability, safety and performance.