Nissan Kicks vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

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 Kicks presented a tougher appearance than many small crossovers, without crossing into the realm of sportiness. Built on the new CMF-B platform, it offered increased size and ground clearance, distinguishing itself from its peers. The Kicks was available in eight colours, with two-tone configurations on higher trims, and featured unique design elements like a debossed logo and sneaker-tread-like rocker panel trim, enhancing its premium feel despite its affordability.

Inside, the Kicks offered a mix of textures, with some cost-saving measures evident but not intrusive. The Zero Gravity seats provided comfort and support, available in cloth or synthetic leather, with heated front seats standard in Canada. However, the seats were only manually adjustable. The Kicks also featured LED exterior lighting and a choice of wheel sizes, contributing to its overall appeal.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, available in Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, integrated seamlessly into the existing Palisade lineup. The base Luxury trim came with 20-inch alloy wheels and a prominent grille flanked by LED projector headlights and daytime running lights. The Palisade's profile featured heated, power-folding side mirrors and acoustic side glass, while the rear showcased wide-spaced lettering and LED taillights, emphasizing its focus on efficient, peaceful driving.

Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with its thoughtful design and craftsmanship. The base trims offered H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and heated front seats, with higher trims adding features like Nappa leather upholstery and seat ventilation. The interior was filled with organic shapes and well-considered storage solutions, providing a richer feel compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks addressed previous criticisms of noise and harshness with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and CVT, delivering 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant improvement over the previous generation's 1.6-litre engine. The Kicks offered optional AWD with torque vectoring and a multi-link suspension, enhancing its driving dynamics. The cabin was quieter, thanks to improved insulation, though acceleration could be sluggish at times. The Kicks featured a Sport mode for a peppier feel and a Snow mode for AWD versions, with fuel economy rated at 8.1 L/100 km city and 6.6 highway for FWD, and slightly higher for AWD.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid defied the stereotype of sluggish hybrids with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, two electric motors, and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system optimized power and fuel efficiency. The Palisade offered a quiet cabin with noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass, though engine noise was noticeable under hard acceleration. The steering was sharp, but the pedal feel was softer, creating a slight disconnect in driver inputs.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks provided a good view of the road, though the seating position was low and required manual adjustment. The cabin offered more space, particularly in the second row, with a panoramic moonroof enhancing the airy feel. The Kicks could accommodate a 65-inch TV with the rear seats folded, offering 849 litres of cargo space with FWD and 676 litres with AWD. However, wind buffeting was an issue with the driver's window down.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but exceeding others. The second-row legroom was slightly reduced due to the battery placement, but the cabin remained comfortable with dual-zone climate control and multiple USB-C outlets. The Palisade featured a second-row bench seat with optional captain's chairs and numerous storage cubbies for smaller items.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks came with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a four-speaker stereo system. Higher trims added more speakers, USB-C ports, and a Bose audio system with headrest speakers. The SR trim featured dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, supporting HD and Sirius XM radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A 14-speaker Bose stereo was standard on higher trims, along with a wireless charging pad and a built-in dashcam on the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The Palisade introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the engine was off.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks included a rearview camera and Safety Shield 360 package, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. ProPilot Assist was standard on the SR trim, offering advanced driver-assistance features. The Kicks received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert. The 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, but the 2026 model had not yet been tested.