If you’re on the lookout for a small crossover or SUV, most automakers have you covered. Small utility vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and are often among a brand’s top-selling vehicles these days.
The 2024 Honda HR-V and 2024 Nissan Kicks are big sellers in the category, although not exactly the same type of vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at these two utes.
2024 Honda HR-V
The 2024 Honda HR-V is among the most popular small SUVs on the market, helped largely by its redesign for the 2023 model year. The most significant upgrade is that it’s simply bigger than the previous model but still fits in the subcompact category. The current HR-V shares a platform with the Honda Civic, whereas the earlier versions were based on the since-discontinued Honda Fit hatchback.
The impact was immediate, with this latest generation gaining more interior room, a beefier engine, and better ride and handling, all while retaining a reasonable price. All-wheel drive, an important consideration, is also available on the HR-V. Pricing starts at $25,950, including destination charge.
Honda HR-V Highlights
Fun to drive: Powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder putting out 158 horsepower, the HR-V isn’t exactly a pocket rocket. However, the move to a more sophisticated suspension setup, courtesy of the Civic, injected a bit of “slow-car-fast” driving fun into the little ute.
Resale value: Shoppers on this end of the segment are often looking for good value, and the HR-V retains its value at the end of the ownership cycle better than most subcompact utes in the market. This means more money to use on the next vehicle when that time comes.
Safety first: The HR-V uses the automaker’s suite of driver assistance and safety technology dubbed Honda Sensing. It includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, and lane-departure warning with steering assist.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the HR-V models for sale near you.
2024 Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks got its last refresh in 2021, but it’s been in the same generation since it arrived in the U.S. in 2018. Despite how little attention it’s received, Nissan’s subcompact SUV still looks fresh and up-to-date.
If you’re looking for a low-priced option to get into a new vehicle, the Kicks is a fine choice, starting at $22,440, including destination. Even at that low price, the Kicks comes standard with a lot of safety and convenience tech that buyers in this segment crave but can’t always get.
Nissan Kicks Highlights
Affordability: The Kicks starts under $23K and comes in just three trim levels: the S, SV, and SR. That means it’s easy to shop for, and even a top-line version is budget-friendly.
More efficient: One of the reasons buyers shop in this segment is fuel economy. Regardless of the cost of gas, it’s always nice to get a lot of miles out of a tank. So getting 36 mpg on the highway is a boon for any buyer.
Room to roam: OK, it’s not a behemoth, but this Nissan holds its own. The Kicks is perfect for tooling around town but also has a reasonable ride quality on the highway for those longer trips.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kicks models for sale near you.
Similarities
They’re both subcompact SUVs with good looks and 4-cylinder engines with good fuel economy. They also have similar safety and infotainment tech features.
Conclusion
The most significant difference between the two vehicles is the starting price — the Kicks starts roughly $3,500 lower. However, a lot of refinement comes with the more expensive HR-V, plus optional all-wheel drive. The more affordable and efficient Kicks is the budget choice, but the HR-V is the one to get if you want a little extra power and insist on AWD.
| 2024 Honda HR-V | 2024 Nissan Kicks | |
| Starting Price | $25,950 | $22,440 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 122 hp @ 6,300 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 114 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg | 31 city/36 highway/33 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 103.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 179.8 inches | 169.1 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 69.3 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 63.3 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.1 feet | 34.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 38.5 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 43.7 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 37.7 inches | 33.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 53.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 53.2 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 24.4 cubic feet | 25.3 cubic feet |
