Compare the2026 Acura ADXVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

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

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the ADX deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The ADX’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.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura ADX achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Kicks has not been tested.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the ADX’s standard Hill Descent Control System allow you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control System.

Both the ADX 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 around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the ADX is much safer than the Kicks:

	ADX	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	292/270 pounds	405/562 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

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 Acura ADX is safer than the Kicks:

	ADX	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	101	158
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.91 in	1.02 in
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	245 lbs.
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	97	182
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	112 lbs.
Neck Compression	156 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Acura ADX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Kicks is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The ADX 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.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the ADX 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.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 7 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The ADX’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (190 vs. 141) and 39 lbs.-ft. more torque (179 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura ADX is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	ADX	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8.2 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.4 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.8 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The ADX has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks’ standard fuel tank (14 vs. 11.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The ADX has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks AWD’s standard fuel tank (14 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The ADX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. 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 ADX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

	ADX	Kicks
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	11 inches

The ADX stops shorter than the Kicks:

	ADX	Kicks
60 to 0 MPH	124 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ADX has larger standard tires than the Kicks (225/55R18 vs. 215/65R16). The ADX A-Spec’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks (235/45R19 vs. 225/45R19).

The ADX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 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 ADX has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

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

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Acura ADX 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the ADX is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Kicks.

The ADX A-Spec AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The ADX A-Spec AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Kicks SR (27.3 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the ADX uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Kicks doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The ADX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Kicks doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The ADX has 1.6 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the ADX has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the ADX A-Spec, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 9% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the ADX A-Spec, the optional memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Kicks doesn’t offer memory seats.

The ADX A-Spec’s optional easy exit feature 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 ADX’s standard Keyless Access System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open 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 ADX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kicks’ power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The ADX A-Spec’s optional 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.

The ADX’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 ADX is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Kicks’ mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Acura ADX and Nissan Kicks offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The ADX 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 ADX A-Spec 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 ADX’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 ADX and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the ADX 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 ADX offers the driver hands free control of certain systems in the car by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura ADX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Kicks SV/SR offers wireless charging.

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