Lots of people want the practicality and utility of an SUV, but not everyone has the budget to afford one—that’s where the Nissan Kicks comes in. As one of the least expensive options in its segment, it offers a great option for those who need the space a ute can offer. However, when it comes to off-road capabilities and driving excitement, it falls short of many of its competitors.

To make sure you get exactly what you’re looking for in a compact SUV,

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, has gathered the deets on 8 of the Nissan Kicks’s top competitors.

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1. Mazda CX-30

Starting price: $23,725 to $35,925

Selling points: Surprisingly high-end styling and interior, athletic handling

Weak spot: Lackluster base engine

While higher trims may be out of reach for those with a Nissan Kicks budget, the well-equipped

Mazda CX-30

Base and CX-30 Select trims offer some stiff competition. The Mazda CX-30 may come in on the small end of Mazda’s SUV lineup, but it lacks nothing for style and sophistication. This means you can get a substantially more comfortable and conveniently appointed CX-30 for the same price as fully-loaded Kicks.

All-wheel-drive is standard across the CX-30 lineup, and buyers need not break the bank to get added safety features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Non-turbo trims feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 186 horsepower, which is a bit of a snooze, but even when not equipped with the more potent available 250-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo four, the CX-30 offers a spry, nimble, and responsive drive.

MORE:

Are Mazdas good cars?

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2. Hyundai Kona

Starting price: $22,595 to $29,895

Selling points: Potent available turbo engine, undeniable value

Weak spot: Disappointing cargo capacity, sluggish base engine

It’s tough to be the

Hyundai Kona

when it comes to driving excitement combined with practicality and affordability, so it’s definitely a key competitor for the Nissan Kicks. Hyundai’s value-forward approach to car manufacturing means that even the entry-level models feature a long list of desirable standard features, but opting for the upper trims is still in the budget for most.

For 2022, Hyundai gives the Kona a bit of a refresh with updated exterior styling on the front-end, and redesigned dash inside. SE and SEL Konas feature a somewhat sluggish 147-horsepower four-cylinder, but buyers need not add much to the bottom line to get the available 195-horsepower turbo four.

MORE: Everything you need to know about Kia electric cars

3. Kia Soul

Starting price: $21,085 to $25,385

Selling points: Uniquely identifiable styling, tons of cargo space

Weak spot: No available AWD, sluggish powertrain

Kia is right in line with Hyundai when it comes to offering options-packed value-forward options for drivers. Plus, the

Kia Soul

offers similar pricing to the Nissan Kicks, making it the perfect competitor. Of course, much of your choice might come down to style, as the Soul’s certainly, shall we say, unique.

When it comes to equipment, the Soul excels with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that feels peppy around town, but may leave you feeling left behind if you’re on the highway. It offers a comfortable ride, and its boxy styling means plenty of cargo and headroom throughout.

MORE:

Kia Soul towing capacity

4. Volkswagen Taos

Starting price: $24,790 to $33,385

Selling points: Comparatively cavernous interior, excellent fuel economy

Weak spot: Cut-rate cabin materials, lazy acceleration

While the Volkswagen Taos is certainly more expensive than the Nissan Kicks, it still offers staunch competition in the compact crossover segment. Adding at least somewhat to its draw is the Taos’s newness. Designers and engineers at VW have had years to study what drivers do and don’t want in their crossovers, and it’s clear they’ve been taking good notes.

To start, the Taos standard powertrain is a 158-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo four that, while it may take a minute to catch up when you hit the gas, offers plenty of power. The Taos offers sharp handling with a comfortable interior and plenty of cargo space. Tech features, like USB ports, a wireless charger, and 12-volt outlet are standard on many models, as is a bangin’ Beats sound system.

5. Kia Seltos

Starting price: $24,135 to $29,635

Selling points: Responsive handling, impressive interior space

Weak spot: Stiff suspension, Spartan base model

Another Kia for your competitive consideration—the Seltos. Sitting between the Soul and the Sportage when it comes to size and price, the

Kia Seltos

offers a great alternative to those looking for a Nissan Kicks competitor with a bit less kitsch than the Soul.

We’ll be honest—the entry-level Seltos LX is a bit lacking when it comes to both powertrain and features. In fact, to really get the best value from your Seltos, you’ll need to opt for the Seltos EX trim, which comes in almost $4,000 more expensive than the top-tier Kicks. If you’re willing to spend just a bit more, though, that EX gives you standard all-wheel-drive, a sunroof, faux-leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable, and heated front seats, and a wireless charging pad.

MORE: Does Hyundai have a self-driving car?

6. Toyota Corolla Cross

Starting price: $23,780 to $27,910

Selling points: Impressive cargo space, standard driver assists

Weak spot: Forgettable powertrain and performance

The

Toyota Corolla Cross

offers a comfortable middle option between the economy of the beloved Corolla and the utility of a compact crossover. While front-wheel-drive is standard, the Corolla Cross offers optional all-wheel-drive on all models. Since all-wheel-drive isn’t an option on the Nissan Kicks, this moves the Corolla Cross up the ranks of competitors.

While the Corolla Cross’s 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder is nothing to get excited about, the abundance of interior cargo space and passenger room is. The model’s lower trims tend to be pretty spartan, but moving up the trim ladder adds options like faux-leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped shift knob.

MORE: Toyota AWD cars

7. Nissan Rogue Sport

Starting price: $26,255 to $30,885

Selling points: Roomy, great fuel efficiency, smooth ride

Weak spot: Boring driving dynamics, no tow rating

Nissan has a full overhaul planned for the 2023

Rogue Sport

, and pricing is estimated to run similar to that of the 2022 model. In the meantime, we’ll look at the roomy, gas-sipping 2022 model as an ideal competitor for the wee Nissan Kicks.

A big difference between the Kicks and its bigger cousin, the Rogue Sport, is size—though not on a scale with the full-size Rogue, the Rogue Sport still offers substantially more interior passenger and cargo space than the Kicks. Bigger size, though, means more weight, and that quickly becomes an issue for the Rogue Sport’s diminutive four-cylinder. Unlike many in its class, the Rogue Sport’s powertrain isn’t powerful enough to warrant a tow rating.

8. Buick Encore

Starting price: $26,415 to $27,295

Selling points: Spacious interior and comfortable ride

Weak spot: Below-average fuel economy

The

Buick Encore

walks a fine line between luxury and economy that makes it ideal competition for the budget-centric Nissan Kicks. Despite the Encore’s small size, it not only offers the same luxury appearance but also downright luxurious passenger space that doesn’t sacrifice cargo room.

The Encore’s 155-horsepower turbo four gives the compact SUV more horsepower than in previous years, but at the cost of fuel economy. Plus, while all-wheel-drive is an option, selecting it drops your fuel economy even further. That said, it’s tough to beat the Encore for ride comfort. Unlike many compact SUVs, the Encore features the same soft suspension as larger Buicks that soak up bumps and dampen harsh impacts for a cushy ride.

MORE: Buick Encore towing capacity

Nissan Kicks vs. the competition

Want to see it all laid out? Below is our side-by-side comparison of the 2022 Nissan Kicks with its fiercest competitors.

Model	Starting price range	Engine options	Maximum seating capacity	Maximum cargo volume	Maximum towing capacity	Maximum fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
2022 Nissan Kicks	$21,285 to $23,845	4-cylinder	5 seats	53.1 cubic ft	2639 lb	31/36/33 mpg
2022 Mazda CX-30	$23,645 to $34,465	4-cylinder or turbocharged 4-cylinder	5 seats	45.0 cubic ft	2000 lb	24/31/26 mpg
2022 Hyundai Kona	$22,595 to $29,895	4-cylinder or turbocharged 4-cylinder	5 seats	45.8 cubic ft	5000 lb	27/32/29 mpg
2023 Kia Soul	$21,085 to $25,385	4-cylinder	5 seats	62.1 cubic ft	2400 lb	27/32/29 mpg
2022 Volkswagen Taos	$24,790 to $33,385	Turbocharged 4-cylinder	5 seats	65.9 cubic ft	5000 lb	25/32/31 mpg
2023 Kia Seltos	$24,135 to $29,635	4-cylinder	5 seats	62.0 cubic ft	2948 lbs	25/30/27 mpg
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross	$23,780 to $27,910	4-cylinder	5 seats	15.3 cubic ft	2000 lbs	29/32/30 mpg
2023 Nissan Rogue Sport	$26,255 to $30,885	4-cylinder	5 seats	61.0 cubic ft	1102 lbs	24/30/27 mpg
2022 Buick Encore	$26,415 to $27,295	Turbocharged 4-cylinder	5 seats	48.4 cubic ft	1000 lbs	26/31/28 mpg

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MORE: Does Nissan have a self-driving car?

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