Head-to-Head: 2025 Nissan Kicks vs. Subaru Crosstrek

If you're considering a small and sporty SUV, they can be excellent options for anyone who thrives on good value and plenty of handling ability. Two premier choices include the 2025 Nissan Kicks and the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek. When you want the most of your selection, you'll see in the comparison table below why the new Nissan Kicks wins with its superior technology, flexibility, and value proposition.

Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks is a fresh take on the popular subcompact SUV, offering a bold upgrade in performance and versatility. Equipped with a 1.6-liter engine, the Kicks delivers 141 horsepower and an impressive fuel economy of up to 35 MPG on the highway, making it an efficient choice for both city driving and longer road trips.

New features, such as available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, provide enhanced traction and confidence on various terrains. Inspired by street style and sneaker culture, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is all about having fun on the road. You'll love its intelligent AWD, impressive safety suite, and available 19-inch alloy wheels, making the Kicks a surprisingly versatile crossover for work and play.

Subaru Crosstrek

The 2025 Subaru Crosstrek continues to offer the brand's signature symmetrical all-wheel drive system as standard equipment. With a 2.0-liter engine producing 152 horsepower, it provides capable performance in various conditions. The Crosstrek emphasizes outdoor adventure capability with increased ground clearance and rugged styling cues that appeal to active lifestyles.

The Nissan Kicks offers 30.3 cu. ft. of cargo space (seats folded), significantly outperforming the Crosstrek's 19.9 cu. ft. Its cabin features premium materials, available Bose audio, and an optional 12.3-inch touchscreen—larger than the Crosstrek's 11.6-inch display. The Kicks' Intelligent Around View Monitor also makes parking easier with its virtual 360° view of surroundings.

Inside, the Kicks is equally impressive, boasting a panoramic moonroof and spacious seating with premium materials. The vehicle's trim levels, including the sporty SR, offer a range of options for customization to suit different preferences.

The Subaru Crosstrek provides adequate passenger space with its well-designed interior, though cargo capacity is more limited compared to the Kicks. The available 11.6-inch touchscreen with Subaru's Starlink system provides connectivity features, but falls short of the Kicks' larger display option. The Crosstrek's interior emphasizes functionality over luxury, with durable materials suited for outdoor adventures.

The Nissan Kicks stands out with bold two-tone color options, LED lighting, and a sporty SR trim with blacked-out accents. Its elevated seating position offers excellent visibility, and available Zero Gravity seats provide superior comfort for long drives. Fun, exciting and youthful, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is a real head-turner, with its exciting metallic colorways and sleek styling.

The redesigned 2025 Kicks offers city-slick style with a bold, modern appearance. Its sleek lines and available 19-inch alloy wheels give it a commanding presence on the road that stands out in urban environments.

The Subaru Crosstrek features rugged styling with plastic cladding, roof rails, and increased ground clearance that emphasize its outdoor adventure capabilities. While functional and appealing to active lifestyles, its design prioritizes utility over urban sophistication. The interior offers practical comfort but lacks the stylish flair and customization options available in the Kicks.

The Nissan Kicks leads with a 12.3-inch touchscreen (vs. Crosstrek's 11.6-inch), wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and available Bose Premium Audio with headrest-integrated speakers. NissanConnect Services (SiriusXM) and Intelligent Cruise Control add premium convenience features that enhance the driving experience.

Wireless charging keeps you powered up at all times, and integrated driver assistance technologies keep you safe in all conditions. The available Bose® Personal Plus Audio System delivers an immersive sound experience that transforms every drive into a concert-like experience.

The Subaru Crosstrek includes Starlink multimedia with an available 11.6-inch display, but lacks the Kicks' available premium audio options. Its infotainment system is functional with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the interface can be less intuitive than Nissan's system. The Crosstrek focuses on practical technology rather than premium entertainment features.

The Nissan Kicks comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert—features the Crosstrek only offers on higher trims. The Kicks' available Intelligent Lane Intervention further enhances safety by helping prevent unintentional lane departures.

Benefit from features such as pedestrian detection and automated emergency braking as you drive. The Intelligent Around View Monitor gives you a virtual 360° view to assist with parking and tight maneuvers, making urban driving significantly less stressful.

The Subaru Crosstrek includes EyeSight Driver Assist Technology on most trims, offering adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane keep assist. However, some advanced safety features like rear cross-traffic alert are only available on higher trim levels. The Crosstrek has earned good safety ratings but doesn't offer the comprehensive standard safety suite found in the Kicks.

While the Subaru Crosstrek offers standard all-wheel drive and rugged appeal, the Nissan Kicks is the clear winner for drivers who prioritize:

• Drive type flexibility (FWD or AWD vs. AWD only)
• Standard keyless entry
• Larger touchscreen (12.3" vs. 11.6")
• Standard rear cross traffic alert
• Superior cargo space (30.3 vs. 19.9 cu. ft.)
• Better fuel economy (35 MPG vs. 33 MPG highway)

The 2025 Nissan Kicks outshines the Crosstrek with more flexibility, standard features, and better value. It delivers both FWD and AWD options, keyless entry, and a bigger 12.3-inch screen. With standard rear cross traffic alert and 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the Kicks proves to be the more practical pick for everyday use.

Visit Nissan of Bowie to test drive the 2025 Kicks and experience its advantages firsthand!