Compare the2026 Lexus UXVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

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

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the UX deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The UX’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Kicks’ side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The UX has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Front Seatbacks, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Front Seatbacks system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Kicks doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The UX 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.

Both the UX and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the UX offers optional 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 UX and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus UX is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	UX	Kicks
OVERALL STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	116	476
Neck Injury Risk	33%	43.8%
Neck Stress	371 lbs.	476 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	76 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	290	338
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36%	67.5%
Neck Stress	163 lbs.	253 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus UX is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	UX	Kicks
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	52	124
Hip Force	323 lbs.	371 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	96	206
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	633 lbs.	669 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	292	303
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	48 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus UX is safer than the Kicks:

	UX	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	245 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.26 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	150	182
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	6 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the UX is 3.9% to 5.8% less likely to roll over than the Kicks.

Warranty

The UX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Kicks’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the UX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Kicks. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Kicks ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The UX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Kicks’ (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The battery on the UX is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the UX’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Kicks’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the UX’s reliability 32 points higher than the Kicks.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the UX second among small premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Kicks isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked second.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 75 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

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

Engine

The UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (196 vs. 141) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (152 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus UX is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	UX	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85.9 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
UX
	FWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	45 city/41 hwy
	AWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	44 city/40 hwy
Kicks
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy

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

The UX has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Kicks. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	UX	Kicks
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	11 inches

The UX stops shorter than the Kicks:

	UX	Kicks
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the UX has larger tires than the Kicks (225/50R18 vs. 215/65R16).

The UX’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks S’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the UX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the UX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Kicks doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Lexus UX 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.

The UX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Kicks’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The UX’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.6% to 42.4%) than the Kicks’ (61% to 39%). This gives the UX more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the UX’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Kicks’ (34.2 feet vs. 34.8 feet).

Passenger Space

The UX has 1.4 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room and 2.2 inches more rear hip room than the Kicks.

Cargo Capacity

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

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the UX’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 24% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the UX F Sport Handling, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Kicks doesn’t offer a memory system.

The UX F Sport Handling’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kicks doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The UX Premium/F Sport offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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 UX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, 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 UX Premium/F Sport’s standard 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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The UX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Kicks doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the UX F Sport has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kicks doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The UX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan offers heated mirrors for extra charge, but only on the Kicks SV/SR.

When the UX F Sport Handling is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Kicks’ mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The UX’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Kicks offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Lexus UX and Nissan Kicks offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The UX offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Kicks’ foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the UX Premium/F Sport 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 UX’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 UX and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the UX 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 UX offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus UX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Kicks isn't recommended.

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