Compare the2026 Toyota Corolla Cross HybridVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Corolla Cross Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Kicks.

Both the Corolla Cross Hybrid and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kicks
OVERALL STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	191	476
Neck Injury Risk	33.6%	43.8%
Neck Stress	297 lbs.	476 lbs.
Neck Compression	61 lbs.	76 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	330	338
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	32.9%	67.5%
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	253 lbs.
Neck Compression	36 lbs.	76 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Corolla Cross Hybrid is much safer than the Kicks:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	360/292 pounds	405/562 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kicks
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	124
Hip Force	330 lbs.	371 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	206
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	669 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	303
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	623 lbs.	797 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is safer than the Kicks:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	113	182
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	112 lbs.
Neck Compression	89 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.5 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	6 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Kicks is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s reliability 16 points higher than the Kicks.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

Engine

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 55 more horsepower (196 vs. 141) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (152 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.9 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Cross Hybrid gets better mileage than the Kicks:

			MPG
Corolla Cross Hybrid
	AWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	46 city/39 hwy
Kicks
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/34 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Kicks doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Kicks. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kicks
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	11 inches

The Corolla Cross Hybrid stops shorter than the Kicks:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kicks
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla Cross Hybrid has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kicks FWD has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE handles at .81 G’s, while the Kicks SR pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid SE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Kicks SR (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has .2 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room and .5 inches more rear headroom than the Kicks.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Kicks only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan offers heated mirrors for extra charge, but only on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks SV/SR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard voice command, the Corolla Cross Hybrid offers the driver hands free control of the radio and climate controls by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has an 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Kicks doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Kicks isn't recommended.

The Toyota Corolla Cross outsold the Nissan Kicks by 23% during 2024.

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