We have two great contenders to battle for the best compact SUV. Today we’re looking at the Hyundai Kona, and the Nissan Kicks to determine which option is better for zooming around the city. Buckle up. This article could get wild. 

The Hyundai Kona Vs. the Nissan Kicks 

Both of these compact SUV options are incredibly affordable. Check it out: 

• The Nissan Kicks begins around $18k, and the highest trim option is about $21k. 
• The Hyundai Kona begins around $20k, and the highest trim option is about $23k. 

So, there is only about a $2k difference in price, so it’s hard to pick the best option based on affordability alone even though this is one area where the Kicks takes the cake. 

The Nissan Kicks also wins in the fuel efficiency category. 

• The Kicks gets an average of up to 31 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. 
• The Hyundai Kona gets an average of up to 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. 

Now, these numbers provide a sizable difference between these two compact SUVs. The Nissan Kicks will definitely offer more savings at the pump. However, if the Hybrid version of the Kona comes to America, then these numbers will change. 

 SUV Power 

The Nissan Kicks is a little disappointing in terms of power. It only has one engine option, which is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder one. It only pumps out 122 horsepower. It takes 9.6 seconds for the Kicks to go from 0 to 60 mph, which isn’t very peppy. 

The Hyundai Kona has two engine options. The base model comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder option that produces 140 horsepower. The higher trim options come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pumps out 175 horsepower. 

Because the Kona has extra power, it has a little more pep. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. So, does that difference in pickup matter to you? 

One thing that should really make a difference is that the Hyundai Kona is available in all-wheel drive, while the Kicks is not. The Kicks is only offered in front-wheel drive, so if you want to be able to drive in a little snow, go with the Kona. 

SUV Features 

While the Kona and Kicks are pretty similar in size, the Kicks is taller and provides a little more legroom for passengers.

However, even though the Kicks is slightly larger, the Kona has more storage space. The Kona provides 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat and up to 45.8 cubic feet of space when the rear seat is folded down. 

The Kicks is limited to 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded down but does offer 25.3 cubic feet of space in the trunk behind the back seat. 

Because the Nissan Kicks is slimmer with a smaller turning radius, it’s viewed as being easier to park and manage in crowded city spaces. 

Both vehicles are comparable in terms of tech. They both can connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so that you can ride in your preferred style. 

When it comes down to deciding between these vehicles, you need to consider if you want AWD or not and if you want more trunk space with the Kicks or more cargo space overall with the Kona.