Lexus NX Hybrid vs Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks was designed with a youthful audience in mind, drawing inspiration from sneaker culture to create a vehicle that exuded comfort, agility, and style. The designers aimed for a tougher appearance without veering into overt sportiness, utilizing the new CMF-B platform to offer a slightly larger and higher vehicle than its predecessors. The Kicks stood out with its bold colour options, particularly the two-tone configurations available on higher trims, which Nissan anticipated would be popular among buyers. Small details, like the Kicks logo on the side-mirror supports and sneaker-tread-like rocker panel trim, added a distinctive touch that elevated the vehicle's aesthetic appeal.

Inside, the Kicks offered a mix of textures that generally complemented each other, despite some cost-saving measures like a fuzzy headliner and hard plastic surfaces. The vehicle featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, known for their comfort and support, with options for cloth or synthetic leather upholstery. Heated front seats were standard in Canada, although seat adjustments remained manual. The Kicks also boasted LED exterior lighting and a range of wheel options, enhancing its overall look and feel.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, particularly the NX 350h F Sport 3 model, presented a bold and intricate design with its large spindle grille and aggressive LED headlights. While the front was complex and potentially polarizing, the profile was sportier yet understated, with smooth lines and body-coloured fender flares suggesting a focus on road performance. F Sport elements like dark trim and 20-inch wheels added to its sporty appeal, while the fastback roof shape echoed luxury coupe-like crossovers.

Inside, the NX Hybrid combined sporty aesthetics with modern technology, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen angled towards the driver for a cockpit-like feel. The F Sport 3 model stood out with its dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and optional two-tone Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery. Lexus’s NuLuxe textile mimicked real leather, contributing to the upscale ambiance with soft-touch surfaces adorning key areas of the cabin.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks addressed previous criticisms of noise and harshness with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), delivering 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. This marked a significant improvement over the previous generation's 1.6-litre engine, which produced 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. The new Kicks offered a more balanced driving experience with minimal body roll and improved noise insulation. All-wheel drive was available, featuring torque vectoring and a multi-link suspension for enhanced handling. While acceleration could be sluggish at times, especially at high elevations, the Kicks offered a Sport mode for a peppier feel and a Snow mode for better traction in slippery conditions. Fuel economy was competitive, with ratings of 8.1 L/100 km city and 6.6 highway for FWD, and slightly higher for AWD.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, despite its sporty name, was more about controlled handling than aggressive cornering. It featured adaptive dampers and a firmer suspension, but with 18.5 centimetres of ground clearance, it leaned more in bends. The hybrid powertrain combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with three electric motors, providing standard AWD and a total of 240 horsepower. While power delivery was adequate for traffic, the drivetrain felt less responsive, and the engine droned under heavy acceleration. The NX Hybrid offered steering wheel paddles for simulated downshifts, but they lacked the feel of a traditional automatic transmission. For those seeking more power, the NX 450h plug-in hybrid was a viable option with 340 hp.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks provided a good view of the road, though the seating position was low and required manual adjustment. The cabin was spacious, particularly in the second row, thanks to a panoramic moonroof that added an airy feel. The Kicks excelled in cargo space, accommodating a 65-inch TV with the rear seats folded. Cargo capacity was 849 litres with FWD and 676 litres with AWD, expanding to 1,699 litres and 1,418 litres respectively with the seats down. However, wind buffeting was an issue with only the driver’s window down, requiring additional windows to be opened for relief.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid offered well-bolstered front seats with ample room and power adjustments for comfort. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control enhanced the driving experience. Rear seating was adequate for average-sized adults, though legroom could be tight for taller passengers. The NX Hybrid's cargo space was limited compared to its class, with 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with them folded. The coupe-like roof design contributed to this limitation, but the space was still practical for everyday needs.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model included a four-speaker stereo and USB-C ports, while higher trims offered additional speakers, wireless charging, and a Bose audio system with headrest speakers. The SR trim's dual 12.3-inch screens provided a seamless user experience, with easy-to-navigate controls and impressive sound quality from the Bose system.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, both supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A head-up display and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system were optional. The NX Hybrid also included a three-year Remote Connect subscription, offering remote vehicle access and status alerts. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick responses and convenient physical controls for volume and temperature.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks came equipped with the Safety Shield 360 package, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. ProPilot Assist was standard on higher trims, offering advanced driver-assistance features. The Kicks also offered a 360-degree monitor system, a rarity in its class. It received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were pending.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and performed well in crash tests. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Optional features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The safety systems were effective, though the adaptive cruise control required some familiarization.