Head-to-head
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2026 Nissan Kicks
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins clearly, 85.7 to 67.9, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, performance. The Nissan Kicks is ahead on price and safety.
B
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact hatchback with 7 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Ioniq 5 RWD, is EP…
vs
B2026 Nissan Kicks
The 2026 Nissan Kicks is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact hatchback with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Kicks, is EPA-rated at 31 …
Verdict · default weights
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Clear winThe Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins clearly, 85.7 to 67.9, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, performance. The Nissan Kicks is ahead on price and safety.
Tech & comfort 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 leads by 75.6
Fuel & range 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 leads by 70.9
Price 2026 Nissan Kicks leads by 35.1
| Category · weight | 2026 Nissan Kicksoverall 67.9 | 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5overall 85.7 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 64.9 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 29.1 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 79 | 73.8 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 98.8 | 93.9 | ||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | ||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 74 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 24.4 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 67.9 | 85.7 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Nissan Kicks: base trim S FWD · Hyundai Ioniq 5: base trim SE Standard Range RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (63.5 points against 15.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It is rated 115 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,500 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($650 against $2,150).
Where the 2026 Nissan Kicks answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (7 against 24 filed with NHTSA).
- It starts $12,270 lower ($22,730 against $35,000 base MSRP).
What they share
- 5 seats.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
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Specifications side by side
49 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $22,730 | $35,000 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 4 | — |
| Engine displacement | 1,997 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | MR20DD 2.0L DOHC inline 4-cylinder | Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) RWD |
| Valve configuration | 4 valves per cylinder with Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 141 hp | 168 hp |
| Torque | 140 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 28 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 31 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 35 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 5.341 | 4.706 |
| Transmission speeds | — | 1 |
| Transmission type | cvt | Single-speed Reduction Gear |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.4 in | 6.1 in |
| Overall height | 64.2 in | 63 in |
| Overall length | 172 in | 183 in |
| Overall width | 70.9 in | 74.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 105 in | 118 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 55.7 cu-ft | 58.5 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 30 cu-ft | 26.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 95.7 cu-ft | 133 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 39.7 in | 39.8 in |
| Second-row headroom | 38.5 in | 38.7 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 42.7 in | 41.7 in |
| Second-row legroom | 34.5 in | 39.4 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,002 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,002 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 3,902 lbs | — |
| Payload capacity | 900 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Independent strut with coil springs | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension type | Twist beam | Multi-link (5-link) |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric power-assisted | Rack and Pinion (R-MDPS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 19.7 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 295 mm | 325 mm |
| Front brake type | Vented disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electric with auto hold | Electric Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold |
| Rear brake diameter | 279 mm | 325 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 19 in |
| Wheel material | steel | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 215/65R16 | 235/55R19 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 11.9 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | NissanConnect | Bluelink+ |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 54.7 in | 57.7 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 54.7 in | 57.7 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
167 features · differences first, then sharedSafety41 differ · 57 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go (steering wheel-mounted) | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning Detection | — | std |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | — | std |
| Predictive Forward Collision Warning | std | — |
| Highway Driving Assist 1 (HDA 1) | — | std |
| Lane Departure Warning | std | — |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | — | std |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control (NSCC) | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Forward | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Reverse | — | std |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) | — | std |
| 2.5-MPH Bumpers | — | std |
| ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) - 4 Wheels/Channels/Sensors | — | std |
| Adjustable front-seat shoulder belt anchors | — | std |
| Anti-theft system integrated with remote keyless entry and panic alarm | — | std |
| Blind Spot Warning | std | — |
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) | — | std |
| Bodyside reinforcements | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Brake Booster - Active Hydraulic Booster (Regenerative Brake) | — | std |
| Cruise controls, Smart | — | std |
| Driver and passenger knee supplemental air bags | std | — |
| Easy-Fill Tire Alert | std | — |
| Electric Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold | — | std |
| Electronic Shift Lock System & Ignition Key Interlock – Electronic type | — | std |
| Forward Attention Warning (FAW) | — | std |
| Front crumple zone | — | std |
| Intelligent Cruise Control with steering wheel-mounted controls | std | — |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | — | std |
| Nissan Safety Shield® 360 | std | — |
| Occupant Classification System (OCS) - Seat weight sensor and seat track sensor | — | std |
| Outside Mirrors - Blind-Spot Collision Indicator | — | std |
| Power window lock-out button | — | std |
| Rear Automatic Braking | std | — |
| Rear child safety locks (Power-operated) | — | std |
| Rear LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors | — | std |
| Rear sonar | std | — |
| Seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters (all outboard seating positions) | — | std |
| Seatbelt Reminder (Driver and All Passengers) | — | std |
| Steering wheel haptic feedback (for LKA and BCA) | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection | std | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | std |
| Airbags (Front - Advanced): Driver (1), Front passenger (1) | std | std |
| Driver and front passenger side-impact FR (Thorax) (2) | std | std |
| Rearview Camera | std | std |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | std | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | std | std |
| Rear side airbags (2) | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TCS) | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TCS) and Brake Assist | std | std |
| High Beam Assist | std | std |
| Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) | std | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) (door logic-type) | std | std |
| Regenerative Braking System with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes | std | std |
| Immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Individual Tire Indicator and Tire Fill Complete Alert | std | std |
Infotainment19 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch color touchscreen (ccNC) AM/FM/SiriusXM®/HD Radio audio system with onboard Navigation, Wireless Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay® | — | std |
| Wi-Fi Hotspot | opt | std |
| 12.3-inch color touchscreen audio system with 6-speakers | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free w/ wireless audio streaming + phonebook transfer | — | std |
| 12.3-inch color touchscreen display | std | — |
| Bluelink+ Connected Car System | — | std |
| Bluelink+ Remote Charge Access | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System | std | — |
| Bluetooth® Multiple Device Connection (up to two devices) | — | std |
| Dynamic Voice Recognition | — | std |
| Front USB ports – 2, USB-C | std | — |
| Hyundai Pay | — | std |
| NissanConnect® featuring wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ | std | — |
| Over-the-Air (OTA) Controller ECU and Map/Multimedia software update capability | — | std |
| Regenerative brake control paddles | — | std |
| Siri® Eyes Free | std | — |
| SiriusXM® (SiriusXM® subscription required, sold separately) | std | — |
| Streaming audio via Bluetooth® | std | — |
| Three 1st row & Two 2nd row USB-C outlets (1x Power/Data & 4x Power) | — | std |
| Steering Wheel - Audio controls (Volume up/down, Seek up/down, Mode) | std | std |
Convenience6 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Power door locks | — | std |
| Power windows with driver's auto-down/up | — | std |
| Proximity w/ detachable valet key & push button start (2) | — | std |
| Remote hood release | — | std |
| Remote keyless entry system with alarm and panic | — | std |
| 12-volt outlets - 2 total: 1 front, 1 cargo | — | std |
| Proximity key entry with push button start | std | std |
Climate6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin air filter | — | std |
| Dual Automatic Temperature Control w/ Driver Only mode | — | std |
| External temperature display | — | std |
| Heat Pump (AWD only for SE/SEL/XRT/Limited; standard for N AWD) | — | std |
| Manual climate control | std | — |
| PTC Heater | — | std |
Seating8 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 60/40 Split Fold-down Manual Sliding Bench Seat w/ Reclining Seatback | — | std |
| 8-way power driver's seat | — | std |
| Heated front seats | — | std |
| Driver's seat 6-way manual adjustable | std | — |
| 6-way adjustable passenger seat | — | std |
| Power lumbar support - Driver (SE) / Front (SEL, XRT, Limited, N AWD) | — | std |
| Seating capacity - 5 | — | std |
| Rear center armrest with cupholders | — | std |
| Seating Surfaces - Stain-resistant Cloth | std | std |
Interior32 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster w/ EV Technology Display | — | std |
| 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster w/ EV Technology Display - Speedometer, System Power Gauge, Charge level, Odometer, Trip odometer | — | std |
| 7-inch color meter | std | — |
| Assist Grips (4) | — | std |
| Bottle holders - Front and rear | — | std |
| Center console - Storage compartment and armrest | — | std |
| Central dome light (with delay) and auto cut-off | — | std |
| Cupholders, Dual - Front center console-mounted | — | std |
| Cupholders, Dual - Rear seat center armrest-mounted | — | std |
| Door handles - Metallic-painted | — | std |
| Front center console - Fixed armrest storage with tray | — | std |
| Front trunk ("Frunk") LED light | — | std |
| Glove compartment - Damped and Illuminated | — | std |
| I/P switch illumination (hazard) | — | std |
| Illuminated power window switches | — | std |
| LED Interior Lights | — | std |
| Power window switches - Front and rear | — | std |
| Rear center armrest | — | std |
| Rear coat hanger (1) | — | std |
| Roof trim - Cloth | — | std |
| Seatback pocket(s) - Front passenger (SE/SEL/XRT) / Both (Limited) | — | std |
| Shift knob - Column-type (stalk); shift-by-wire | — | std |
| Steering Wheel - 3-Spoke, H-Tex® wrapped | — | std |
| Steering Wheel - Tilt + telescoping | — | std |
| Storage tray - Fixed Center Stack | — | std |
| Inside rearview mirror - Manual day/night | — | std |
| Manual tilt-telescope steering wheel | std | — |
| Sunvisors w/ Illumination | — | std |
| Cargo Light | — | std |
| Floor mats - Carpeted (PIO) | — | opt |
| Sunvisors w/ sliding function | — | std |
| Door storage pockets - Front and rear | — | std |
| Trip odometer | std | std |
Exterior17 differ · 20 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| "Aero" wiper blades | — | std |
| Acoustic Windshield | — | std |
| Active grille shutters (lower front grille) | — | std |
| Charge Port Door - Power open and close | — | std |
| Door Handles (Flush-type) - Bodycolor, Automatic operation | — | std |
| Front 2-speed/variable intermittent windshield wipers | — | std |
| LED headlights - MFR-type | — | std |
| Outside Mirrors - Heated | — | std |
| Outside Mirrors - LED Turn Signal Indicators | — | std |
| Rear spoiler - Integrated with LED CHMSL | — | std |
| Rear wiper/washer | — | std |
| Roof antenna, shark-fin - Black | — | std |
| Spare Tire - Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) | — | std |
| Privacy Glass - Rear/quarter/back (heated) glass | — | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | — | std |
| Solar front glass - Front Door, Windshield | — | std |
| Mud Guards Front/Rear (PIO) | — | opt |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | std | std |
| LED taillights | std | std |
| LED Center High-Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) | std | std |
Powertrain9 differ · 9 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| AWD Dual Motor (74 kW + 165 kW) Electric Powertrain – 320 hp / N AWD Dual Motor | std | — |
| Front Wheel Drive | std | — |
| Battery preconditioning function | — | std |
| Drive Mode Select (Eco → Normal → Sport → Snow) | — | std |
| Drive Mode Selector – Normal, Eco, Sport (FWD) / Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow (AWD) | std | — |
| Idle Stop/Start | std | — |
| Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) | — | std |
| Transmission Type - Shift-by-wire | — | std |
| Ultra-Fast Charger (up to 800V / 350 kW) | — | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front suspension - MacPherson strut with High-Performance Damper | — | std |
| Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) - Power assisted, rack-mounted | — | std |
| Rear suspension - Multi-link (5-link) with High-Performance Damper | — | std |
Cargo3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo net (PIO) | — | opt |
| Cargo tie-down anchors (4) | — | std |
| Fixed floor with underfloor storage system | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPNissan Kicks
Safety Signal 81 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★☆
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★☆☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 3
Owner complaints 7 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (4), Steering (2), Electrical System (2)
Top recalls
- high Seats 26V145000 · 15 vehicles
- high Latches/Locks/Linkages 26V023000 · 26,432 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 26V331000 · 51,598 vehicles
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Safety Signal 80 B
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / ★★★★★
Recalls 2 · 1 critical
Owner complaints 24 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (11), Lane Departure (6), Forward Collision Avoidance (4)
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V068000 · 27 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Nissan KicksS FWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $22,730 (base trim) | $35,000 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $22,730 – $28,460 6 trims | $35,000 – $59,900 10 trims |
| Powertrains | GAS | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Kicks | Ioniq 5 Standard range |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 31 | 115 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,150 | $650 |
| EV range | — | 245 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Nissan Kicks or the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins clearly, 85.7 to 67.9, on tech & comfort, fuel & range, performance. The Nissan Kicks is ahead on price and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 scores 85.7 and the 2026 Nissan Kicks 67.9. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Nissan Kicks or the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5?
The 2026 Nissan Kicks starts lower — $22,730 against $35,000, a gap of $12,270 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Nissan Kicks or the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5?
2026 Nissan Kicks: 4 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Nissan Kicks and the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5?
Where the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins: it lists more comfort and tech equipment (63.5 points against 15.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), is rated 115 combined against 31 (EPA mpg or MPGe), and costs $1,500 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($650 against $2,150). Where the 2026 Nissan Kicks answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (7 against 24 filed with NHTSA) and starts $12,270 lower ($22,730 against $35,000 base MSRP). What they share: 5 seats.