Compare the2025 Nissan Kicks PlayVS 2025 Kia Sportage PHEV

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 Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Kicks Play and the Sportage PHEV 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.

The Kicks Play’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Sportage PHEV runs out after 100,000 miles.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kicks Play for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sportage PHEV.

There are over 34 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Kia 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 Sportage PHEV 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 Sportage PHEV are solid, not vented.

The Kicks Play stops shorter than the Sportage PHEV:

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 Sportage PHEV 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 Sportage PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

The Nissan Kicks Play may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1550 pounds less than the Kia Sportage PHEV.

The Kicks Play is 1 foot, 2.4 inches shorter than the Sportage PHEV, making the Kicks Play easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kicks Play has 2.6 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear headroom than the Sportage PHEV.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Kicks Play and the Kia Sportage PHEV, based on reliability, safety and performance.