Nissan Kicks vs Volkswagen Taos

The 2021 Nissan Kicks showcased a bold exterior redesign, aligning it with the new face of the 2021 Nissan Armada and Rogue. Its snubbed nose and deep V-motion design, paired with a double V-motion feature, gave it a distinctive look. The Kicks SR and SR Premium trims boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights, enhancing its modern appeal. At the rear, a new bumper and LED taillight combination added a sense of proportion reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. The two-tone paint job option, with a floating roof tinted Super Black, further elevated its upmarket appearance. Inside, the Kicks featured higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra, with new seat and door designs and a full centre console armrest in the mid-range trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos, positioned as a compact SUV, offered a simple yet detailed design. It came in Trendline, Comfortline, or Highline trims, with a choice of front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. The Highline 4Motion test vehicle stood out with its 19-inch machined-finish aluminum alloy wheels and Cornflower Blue paint. The interior, though criticized for its hard plastics, provided soft surfaces where needed, with the Highline trim offering two-tone perforated leather and an upscale dashboard. The Taos's spacious cabin, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, catered to taller drivers, while the rear seat offered generous legroom and comfort. Cargo space varied depending on the drive system, with the 4Motion model offering slightly less volume due to its independent rear suspension.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and front-wheel drive, provided a nimble driving experience, aided by electric power-assisted steering and a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension. Despite its low power, the Kicks maintained good nature on icy roads, with minimal engine noise entering the cabin. The Kicks S trim rode on 16-inch steel wheels, while the SV and SR trims featured 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The Kicks also came with a traction control system, stability control system, and hill start assist, along with a front disc/rear drum antilock braking system on the base model and rear disc brakes on higher trims. Its fuel efficiency was rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 7.2 combined.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine's robust torque figure provided adequate power, but the turbocharger's delayed response and the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission's erratic shifting could be frustrating. The standard 8-speed automatic transmission offered smoother driving but was limited to front-wheel drive. The Highline 4Motion test vehicle, with its Sport driving mode, improved driveability but did not completely eliminate the powertrain's herky-jerky nature. Despite these issues, the Taos delivered a light, compliant driving experience with responsive steering and effective brakes. Its fuel efficiency was rated at 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with an average of 8.7 L/100 km during testing.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a compact cabin with easy-to-reach controls and good small-item storage. It featured a D-shaped steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seat as standard. The Kicks provided best-in-class front seat legroom, though its hip room was more compartmentalized. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, and the available tonneau cover offered hidden storage in the cargo area.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos boasted a spacious cabin, with deeply bolstered front seats offering plenty of adjustment options. The Highline 4Motion trim included heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat provided generous legroom and comfort, with rear air conditioning vents for added convenience. Cargo space varied with the drive system, with the 4Motion model offering 705 litres behind the back seat and 1,705 litres with the back seat folded down. The Taos also featured a centre pass-through for ski trips.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came equipped with a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard. The Kicks SV added features like Nissan Intelligent Key and remote engine start, while the Kicks SR Premium boasted a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system and a surround-view monitor.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Comfortline and Highline trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. The Highline added a navigation system and an eight-speaker BeatsAudio premium sound system. However, the MIB3 infotainment system's user experience and voice-recognition technology were criticized for being complex and unreliable.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with features like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning. It also had 10 airbags and adaptive cruise control on higher trims. The Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a strong history of few recalls.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos required higher trims for popular safety features like forward-collision warning and blind-spot warning. The Highline grade offered additional features like lane-keeping assistance and Travel Assist. The Taos's reverse automatic braking was noted for being overly sensitive, but it could be turned off permanently. As a new model, it had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations.