Compare the2025 Honda HR-VVS 2025 Nissan Kicks Play

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Honda HR-V have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Nissan Kicks Play doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the HR-V are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda HR-V 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 Play has not been tested.

The HR-V offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the HR-V’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Honda HR-V has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

The HR-V EX-L has standard Parking Sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The HR-V has standard HondaLink Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

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

The Honda HR-V weighs 408 to 648 pounds more than the Nissan Kicks Play. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	HR-V	Kicks Play
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	139	191
Neck Injury Risk	30.8%	32%
Neck Stress	134 lbs.	374 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	27 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	279/312 lbs.	343/312 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	278	326
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	41.3%	79%
Neck Stress	153 lbs.	392 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	138 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	215/108 lbs.	370/209 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	HR-V	Kicks Play
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	87	139
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	118 lbs.	172 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	173	318
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the HR-V is 1.2% to 1.5% less likely to roll over than the Kicks Play.

The Honda HR-V has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Kicks Play has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the HR-V’s reliability 18 points higher than the Kicks Play.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda fourth in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

Engine

The HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 36 more horsepower (158 vs. 122) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (138 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda HR-V is faster than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	HR-V	Kicks Play
Zero to 60 MPH	9.6 sec	10.5 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	16 sec	19.3 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	4.7 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	17.3 sec	18 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	82.8 MPH	77.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The HR-V has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (14 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The HR-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the HR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks Play:

	HR-V	Kicks Play
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		11 inches

The Honda HR-V has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Kicks Play. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The HR-V stops much shorter than the Kicks Play:

	HR-V	Kicks Play
70 to 0 MPH	172 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the HR-V has larger standard tires than the Kicks Play (215/60R17 vs. 205/60R16). The HR-V Sport’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks Play (225/55R18 vs. 205/60R16).

The HR-V Sport’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks Play’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the HR-V has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Kicks Play. The HR-V Sport has standard 18-inch wheels.

The Honda HR-V’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Kicks Play only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Honda HR-V 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 Nissan Kicks Play has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The HR-V has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the HR-V flat and controlled during cornering. The Kicks Play’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the HR-V’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Kicks Play (104.5 inches vs. 103.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the HR-V is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Kicks Play.

The HR-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (58% to 42%) than the Kicks Play’s (60.7% to 39.3%). This gives the HR-V more stable handling and braking.

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the Kicks Play pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The HR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Kicks Play (28.1 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the HR-V Sport has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks Play (7.3 vs. 7 inches), allowing the HR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

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

Passenger Space

The HR-V has 6.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks Play (98.7 vs. 92.6).

The HR-V has 3.1 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 4.2 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks Play.

Cargo Capacity

The HR-V has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks Play with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 32.3 cubic feet).

The HR-V’s cargo area is larger than the Kicks Play’s in almost every dimension:

	HR-V	Kicks Play
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34.8”/68.3”	35.4”/64”
Max Width	55.4”	49.7”
Min Width	39.8”	38.3”
Height	32.1”	31.6”

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Honda service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Honda 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 5% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

The HR-V Sport/EX-L has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The HR-V’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kicks Play has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

On a hot day the HR-V’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Kicks Play can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The HR-V’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Kicks Play’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the HR-V has standard extendable sun visors. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The HR-V Sport/EX-L’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The HR-V Sport/EX-L has standard heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Kicks Play.

The HR-V EX-L’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 Play doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The HR-V’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the HR-V has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the HR-V has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

With standard voice command, the HR-V offers the driver hands free control of the radio by simply speaking. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks Play’s traditional radio, the Honda HR-V EX-L equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda HR-V EX-L has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda HR-V and the Nissan Kicks Play, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Nissan Kicks Play by almost two to one during 2024.

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