Compare the2025 Nissan Kicks PlayVS 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The Nissan Kicks Play has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Kicks Play and the Tucson Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available driver alert monitors.

There are over 25 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Kicks Play’s warranty.

The Kicks Play has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Kicks Play SV/SR’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Tucson Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The Kicks Play stops much shorter than the Tucson Hybrid:

The Kicks Play’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson Hybrid Blue’s standard 65 series tires.

The Kicks Play has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Kicks Play has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tucson Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Kicks Play has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the Kicks Play’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the Tucson Hybrid’s (34.2 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Nissan Kicks Play may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1100 to 1150 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid.

The Kicks Play is 1 foot, 1.6 inches shorter than the Tucson Hybrid, making the Kicks Play easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kicks Play has .3 inches more front headroom and 2.3 inches more front legroom than the Tucson Hybrid.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Kicks Play and the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.