Nissan Kicks vs Kia Soul

2021 KICKS VS 2021 SOUL: FUEL ECONOMY & TRANSMISSION

Part of the charm of small crossovers is that they don't burn as much gas as the old-school SUVs used to. Both the Kicks and Soul offer respectable fuel economies, but does one keep you on the road for longer?

With the 2021 Nissan Kicks, you'll get to see how seldom you’ll need to stop for gas. When standardly equipped, this crossover receives an EPA-estimated 31 city/36 highway MPG.¹ Say hello to more bang for your buck at the gas station.

On the other hand, the Kia Soul doesn’t offer quite an impressive fuel economy rating. You’ll see an EPA-estimated 28 city/33 highway MPG.² Whether you're out for a head-clearing Sunday drive, or you're kicking off the first leg of a major road trip, stopping for gas may put a damper on your trip with the 2021 Soul.

One of the ways the Nissan Kicks receives such a remarkable fuel economy rating is due to its advanced engineering under the hood. Xtronic CVT^® (Continuously Variable Transmission) is standard on all trim levels. This gives you precise, guess-free shifting and aids in higher efficiency ratings. Additionally, the handling is smooth as can be.

The Kia Soul comes with a similar transmission, IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission), to handle gear shifting on the road. Despite this similar system, though, the Kia Soul is still no match for the efficiency of the Nissan Kicks.

KICKS VS SOUL: SAFETY FEATURES

Safety is of the utmost importance to both Nissan and Kia, which is why they outfit all their vehicles with top-of-the-line safety systems. They even take it up a notch by presenting a suite of standard and available driver-assistance technology features in the 2021 Kicks and 2021 Soul.

If you decide to purchase the Kicks, you’ll get an intuitive set of systems that come standard on every 2021 Kicks model.

One of the features you’ll find in this suite is Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection. This works alongside your safe driving practices but uses an intricate system to detect any inkling of a collision that’s about to happen, whether it’s with a car or a person. Then, it works to stop the collision or greatly lessen the impact.

Unfortunately, the 2021 Kia Soul does not offer this as a standard feature. A similar feature is available on the higher trims. However, if you want pedestrian detection with it, you’ll have to move up the trim list even more.

The Kia Soul doesn’t offer much for advanced safety features and driving aids, while the Kicks gives drivers an entire package that includes:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Blind Spot Warning
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• High Beam Assist

In the Nissan vehicle, you will also have standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System. In the Kia, you'll get Vehicle Stability Management and Electronic Stability Control. 

Though named differently, these systems essentially do the same thing. They work together to ensure that your vehicle doesn't react poorly when presented with unexpected driving conditions, thus preventing slippage. So, no matter what crossover you get, you’ll have the stability you need.

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Driving should be a joy. Amenities that focus on convenience and comfort are part of that experience, which you’ll find in both crossover models.

In the 2021 Nissan Kicks, drivers get to experience the standard 7-inch touchscreen multimedia system. With this, you’re able to control your music selections, Bluetooth^® options, Apple CarPlay^®, Android Auto™, Siri^® Eyes Free, and so much more.

The touchscreen gives you easy access to everything you may need in your car and offers it at a convenient location, so you spend less time with your eyes off the road.

In the entry-level trim for the Kia Soul, you’ll also find a touchscreen infotainment system that provides similar features to keep you connected and informed while on the go. However, this system doesn’t include Siri^® Eyes Free.

Also standard in the Nissan Kicks is a RearView Monitor, which is as close as you can get to having eyes in the back of your head. See what obstacles may lie in wait behind your vehicle, like the kid’s toys or a lone shopping cart that has broken loose from the cart corral at the store.

This feature can be found standard in the Kia Soul, as well.