2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that resembled Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with lower-quality plastics. This contrast reminded drivers that even the more expensive CR-V versions were essentially upgraded commodity cars rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, adopting a bolder design that aligned with other Nissan models like the Armada and Rogue. The Kicks featured a distinctive "double V-motion" grille and thinner, longer headlights, giving it a more modern and stylish appearance. The rear design, with a new bumper and LED taillights, emphasized its proportions, reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. The Kicks offered a variety of new paint options and a two-tone paint job, enhancing its upmarket look. The SR Premium trim added sporty elements like LED headlights, black heated mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, making it stand out in the subcompact SUV segment.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain provided a responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like handling and nimble road manners made it feel more like a small sedan, with minimal body roll and a firm yet comfortable ride. Its lightweight design contributed to excellent fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1, making it one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid models in its class.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, on the other hand, featured a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. While not as powerful as the CR-V, the Kicks' power-to-weight ratio was well-suited for its size, providing adequate performance for city driving. The Kicks' electric power-assisted steering and front independent strut suspension contributed to its nimble handling, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Despite its FWD setup, the Kicks maintained good traction on icy roads. Its fuel efficiency was impressive, with ratings of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 7.2 combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers available.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality, offering a roomy cabin comparable to larger vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan. Its clever packaging included a deep centre console with a sliding cover, inspired by the Honda Odyssey, and a two-position load floor in the rear for versatile cargo space. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided up to 1,110 litres of cargo space, making it easy to accommodate various storage needs. The CR-V's excellent seating position and visibility added to its overall comfort and usability.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, despite its smaller size, made efficient use of interior space. It featured easy-to-reach controls, multiple storage options, and convenient USB ports. The Kicks offered best-in-class front seat legroom, although its hip room proportions were less ideal for larger drivers. The rear seats were spacious enough for adults, a rarity in the subcompact class. The available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the rear cargo area, enhancing its practicality.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and its navigation was inferior to smartphone apps like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were standard. However, the CR-V offered ample USB ports and a wireless phone charger in higher trims, catering to tech-savvy users.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks boasted a more modern tech offering. The base model included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. The Kicks SR Premium trim featured a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with immersive 360-degree sound. The surround-view monitor provided a 360-degree camera view, aiding in parking and enhancing overall convenience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, although lower trims had marginal headlight ratings. A recall affected a small number of vehicles for a rear subframe issue.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning as standard. It had 10 airbags and additional safety features in higher trims. While not crash-tested by the IIHS, the 2020 model received good marks, and the 2021 model's new headlights were expected to improve ratings. The NHTSA gave the Kicks a four-star overall rating, with a strong history of few recalls.