If you’re in the market for a stylish, fuel-efficient, and tech-savvy compact SUV, the 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2025 Hyundai Kona are two top contenders.
But which one is the better fit for your lifestyle in El Rio, Saticoy, Camarillo, or Channel Islands?
In this complete comparison guide, we’ll break down the Kicks vs. Kona features, performance, specs, and value to help you make the right choice.
Whether you’re looking for cutting-edge safety, modern design, or the best fuel economy, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to experience the 2025 Nissan Kicks for yourself? Visit Team Nissan of Oxnard today or contact us to schedule a test drive!
Let’s dive into the details and see which SUV comes out on top.
Exterior Styling and Design: Which SUV Stands Out?
The Nissan Kicks vs Hyundai Kona 2025 battle starts with bold designs. Both SUVs turn heads, but they take different styling paths.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks leans into a sleek and modern look. Its signature V-Motion grille, sharp LED headlights, and floating roof give it a sporty edge.
A sculpted body adds to its eye-catching appeal. If you want a stylish ride through El Rio, Saticoy, or Camarillo, the Kicks delivers.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona goes for a bolder, futuristic style. It features a wide front end, slim LED daytime running lights, and a boxier frame. While unique, its design may not appeal to every driver.
When you compare Kicks Kona side by side, the differences stand out. The Kicks vs Kona features vary in key ways, especially with customization.
The Kicks offers a wide range of colors, two-tone roof options, and stylish wheel designs. The Kona also has bold color choices but lacks the same level of personalization.
Size matters, too. The 2025 Kicks vs Kona specs show the Kicks has a slightly longer and taller body. This gives it a more confident stance on the road.
For drivers in Channel Islands or beyond, both SUVs offer bold looks. But if you want sleek, stylish, and customizable, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is a standout choice.
Interior Comfort and Space: Which SUV Offers More?
A compact SUV should feel roomy and comfortable inside. When comparing the 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2025 Hyundai Kona base trims, both offer modern designs, but space is key.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks stands out with a smart, open cabin designed for comfort. While it has a smaller total interior volume than the Kona, it maximizes space where it matters most.
The Kicks provides 42.7 inches of front legroom, giving the driver plenty of space to stretch out, while the rear passengers get 34.5 inches of legroom.
It also offers 30 cubic feet of cargo space, making it easier to pack for road trips or errands around El Rio, Saticoy, or Camarillo.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, features a sporty and modern interior with a digital dashboard.
While it has more rear legroom at 38.2 inches, the cargo capacity behind the rear seats is smaller at 25.5 cubic feet.
Additionally, the Kona lacks some comfort features found in the Kicks, such as heated front seats or a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
For drivers looking for a spacious and practical SUV, the Nissan Kicks offers more cargo room, a comfortable front-seat experience, and useful convenience features, making it a strong choice for daily commutes and weekend adventures.
Technology and Infotainment: Comparing Connectivity Features
Modern drivers want smart tech in their cars. When comparing the 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2025 Hyundai Kona, both offer advanced features, but their infotainment setups differ.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks comes with a 7-inch touchscreen display and a 7-inch Advanced Drive-Assist® Display for key vehicle information.
It includes Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ (wired on the base trim) and Bluetooth® hands-free calling.
While the Kicks' infotainment system is simple and user-friendly, it lacks an available Bose® premium audio system on the base trim.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, comes standard with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™.
However, unlike the Kicks, the base trim does not offer a premium sound system option.
When it comes to convenience, both SUVs provide Bluetooth® connectivity and USB ports, but the Kicks includes a physical auxiliary audio input jack, which the Kona does not.
The Kona lacks wireless charging on the base trim, while the Kicks also does not offer this feature.
For drivers in Channel Islands, El Rio, Saticoy, or Camarillo, choosing between the Kicks vs. Kona comes down to preference—the Kicks offers an easy-to-use, straightforward infotainment system, while the Kona provides a larger screen but lacks some additional tech options.
Performance and Efficiency: Which Compact SUV Delivers More?
A compact SUV should be fun to drive and fuel-efficient. When comparing the 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2025 Hyundai Kona, both provide smooth handling, but they perform differently.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine, delivering 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) for efficient power delivery. While not built for speed, the Kicks excels in city driving, making it easy to maneuver through El Rio, Saticoy, and Camarillo.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona comes with a 2.0L MPI-Atkinson four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. While it has slightly more horsepower than the Kicks, its torque is lower. The Kona also offers a 1.6L turbocharged engine on higher trims, providing more power but at the cost of fuel efficiency.
Looking at the 2025 Kicks vs Kona fuel economy, both SUVs achieve the same 31 MPG combined, but their city and highway ratings vary slightly. The Kicks gets 28 MPG city and 35 MPG highway, while the Kona achieves 29 MPG city and 34 MPG highway.
Drivetrain options also differ. The Kicks comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD) to maximize efficiency. The Kona offers all-wheel drive (AWD) on higher trims, but this adds weight and lowers MPG.
For drivers who prioritize fuel savings and a smooth daily commute, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is a smart choice. Want to take it for a spin? Visit Team Nissan of Oxnard today!
Safety Features and Driver Assistance Technology
Safety is a top priority for SUV buyers. When comparing the 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2025 Hyundai Kona, both come equipped with modern driver assistance technologies, but the Kicks offers additional standard features.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks includes Safety Shield® 360 as standard. This suite features Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, and High Beam Assist.
Additionally, the Kicks offers Rear Automatic Braking, a feature missing from the Kona, which helps prevent low-speed collisions when backing up.
Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention is also included, providing extra protection by gently steering the vehicle back into its lane if another car is detected.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona comes with Hyundai SmartSense, which includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, and Driver Attention Warning.
While these features provide strong safety coverage, the Kona lacks Nissan’s Intelligent Around View® Monitor, which gives a 360-degree overhead view when parking.
Additionally, the Kona does not include Highway Driving Assist or an advanced adaptive cruise control system.
Looking at the 2025 Kicks vs Kona safety comparison, the Kicks offers ProPILOT Assist, a system that combines Intelligent Cruise Control and Lane Centering Assist to make highway driving smoother.
The Kona lacks an equivalent feature, making the Kicks a better option for stress-free highway commutes.
For drivers in El Rio, Saticoy, Camarillo, and Channel Islands, safety is essential.
With more standard driver assistance features and advanced technology, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is the smarter choice.
Pricing and Value: Which SUV Offers the Best Deal?
Price plays a big role when choosing a new SUV. When you compare Kicks Kona, both offer good features, but one is a better deal.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks has a lower starting price than the 2025 Hyundai Kona at $21,830. This makes it a smart choice for budget-conscious drivers in El Rio, Saticoy, Camarillo, and Channel Islands. Even the base model comes packed with safety tech, modern styling, and fuel efficiency.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona costs more at the base level of $24,550. Higher trims get expensive fast, especially if you want premium features. AWD is also an extra cost.
Looking at the 2025 Kicks vs Kona specs, the Kicks offers great value for the price. It comes standard with Safety Shield® 360, a touchscreen display, and smartphone integration. Many of these features cost extra in the Kona.
The Kicks vs Kona features also show how much more you get for your money with Nissan. With a lower price, better fuel economy, and strong safety tech, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is a better long-term investment.
For drivers looking for the best deal, the Kicks delivers more for less. It’s the smart buy for those who want style, safety, and savings.
Want to learn more? Contact us and our sales person will assist you.
FAQs: 2025 Nissan Kicks vs 2025 Hyundai Kona
When choosing between the 2025 Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Kona, drivers often have specific concerns about fuel economy, safety, pricing, and unique features. Below, we answer some of the most common questions to help you decide which SUV is the right fit.
What are the differences in fuel economy between the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Kona?
For the base trim, the 2025 Nissan Kicks has an EPA-estimated 28 MPG city, 35 MPG highway, and 31 MPG combined.
The 2025 Hyundai Kona (base trim, FWD) achieves 29 MPG city, 34 MPG highway, and 31 MPG combined.
While both SUVs have the same combined MPG, the Kona offers slightly better city fuel economy, while the Kicks has an advantage on the highway.
Which vehicle offers more advanced driver-assistance technologies?
For the base trim, the 2025 Nissan Kicks offers more advanced driver-assistance technologies as standard.
The Kicks includes ProPILOT Assist, Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention, Intelligent Lane Intervention, and Rear Automatic Braking, features that are not available on the 2025 Hyundai Kona base trim. The Kicks also comes with an HD Intelligent Around View® Monitor, providing a 360-degree parking view, whereas the Kona only has a standard Rear View Monitor.
Both SUVs include essential safety features like Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assist, and Blind Spot Warning, but the Kicks goes further with more advanced intervention systems and driver-assist technologies.
How do the starting prices of the Kicks and Kona compare for the base models?
As of the 2025 model year, the base trims of the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Kona are priced as follows:
- 2025 Nissan Kicks S: Starting MSRP of $21,830.
- 2025 Hyundai Kona SE: Starting MSRP of $24,550.
Which model provides a more engaging driving experience?
The 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2025 Hyundai Kona offer different driving experiences, catering to different preferences.
- The 2025 Nissan Kicks S base model features a 2.0L Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) engine producing 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. It is designed for smooth and efficient city driving, offering easy maneuverability and strong fuel economy. Its lightweight build makes it a practical choice for urban commuting.
- The 2025 Hyundai Kona SE base trim comes with a 2.0L MPI-Atkinson 4-cylinder engine generating 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It also offers an available 1.6L turbocharged engine with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, providing a more dynamic driving feel and stronger acceleration.
For those who prioritize fuel efficiency and easy handling, the Kicks is a solid choice. Drivers looking for more power and optional AWD capability may prefer the Kona.
Are there any exclusive features in either vehicle that set them apart from each other?
Yes, the 2025 Nissan Kicks S and 2025 Hyundai Kona SE each offer unique features that set them apart.
- The 2025 Nissan Kicks offers an available Bose® Personal Plus sound system with headrest speakers, which the Kona does not have.
- The 2025 Hyundai Kona has an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen, which is larger than the Kicks’ 8-inch display.
These answers should help clarify key differences between the Nissan Kicks vs Hyundai Kona 2025. If you’re ready to explore the 2025 Nissan Kicks in person, visit Team Nissan of Oxnard today!
Find Your Perfect Nissan at Team Nissan of Oxnard
Choosing between the 2025 Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Kona comes down to your needs and lifestyle.
If you want better fuel economy, advanced safety features, and a budget-friendly price, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is a top choice.
Whether you’re driving through El Rio, Saticoy, Camarillo, or Channel Islands, this compact SUV is built for your daily adventures.
At Team Nissan of Oxnard, we offer a wide selection of new Nissan vehicles, including the 2025 Nissan Kicks.
Visit us today to explore our inventory, take a test drive, and find the perfect model for you. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you get behind the wheel of a Nissan that fits your lifestyle.
If you’re interested in learning more about Nissan’s lineup, check out our detailed showdown of the Nissan EV lineup for Oxnard, CA.
Looking for a city-friendly ride? Read about the best Nissan models for city driving in Oxnard.
And if you're a new driver, don’t miss our safe driving tips for new drivers.
Contact Team Nissan of Oxnard today or browse our site to find your next Nissan!
