Kia Soul vs. Nissan Kicks
You’ve got heart, and you’ve got soul. All you need now is a compact SUV that can help you do the things you love and help you spread joy around Novi, Livonia, and Southfield, MI. We have two options in mind for you: the 2023 Kia Soul and the 2023 Nissan Kicks.
Both models are top-notch companions wrapped up into small packages. However, only one model can be your next cruiser. Find out which one it will be in the following Kia Soul vs. Nissan Kicks comparison provided by the team at Feldman Kia.
HORSEPOWER
DRIVE MODE SELECT
PASSENGER VOLUME
The engine. It’s the soul of a car. It’s the belly of the beast. It’s the replacement for your missed cup of coffee. It’s the heart of the Kia Soul and the Nissan Kicks. Both SUVs have the drive, but which one will have the added passion and versatility you need most?
Under the hood of the Kia Soul is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. It generates 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. That sounds like plenty of juice to power your early-morning commute or your trip to brunch with your best buds.
On the other hand, the Nissan Kicks equips a slightly smaller 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, which produces 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. While this amount of power will get you from Point A to Point B, it’s the Soul’s engine that offers more dynamism.
Some days you want to listen to Today’s Top Hits. Other days, you want to listen to a throwback playlist. With a change in tune comes a change of pace, which the Kia Soul can account for with ease. Drive Mode Select comes standard on the Kia. This feature proactively controls parts of the SUV to suit your desired driving style.
Unfortunately, a comparable feature is not available on the Nissan Kicks.
Between attending work conferences and spending your weekends tucked away into Mother Nature, you get around. You’re excited by the various travel opportunities before you. All you need now is a model that accommodates all the people and cargo that will tag along.
The Kia Soul and the Nissan Kicks both seat five adults, which makes them reliable for carpooling to work in Detroit or for a weekend of adventuring at Lake Michigan. However, the folks in the back seats may enjoy the additional wiggle room the Soul offers:
- Kia Soul Passenger Volume: 120.9 cubic feet
- Nissan Kicks Passenger Volume: 92.6 cubic feet
With over 28 cubic feet of extra room in the Kia, your coworkers, friends, or loved ones can kick back and enjoy the ride ahead.
You’ve got plans to visit your favorite park this weekend. You’ve got the picnic basket packed. You’ve got your bike rack ready to be attached. You’ve got all your equipment. Meanwhile, the Kia Soul and the Nissan Kicks have the cargo space you need:
- Kia Soul Cargo Capacity (behind first row/second row): 62.1/24.2 cubic feet
- Nissan Kicks Cargo Capacity (behind first row/second row): 32.3/25.3 cubic feet
While the Nissan has a slight edge over the Kia in terms of trunk space, the Soul has more generous cargo space when using its 60/40 split-folding rear seats! More space means more flexibility.
Whether you’re gearing up to grab a bite at the Red Wood Grill across town or to take a bike ride at Glenlore Trails, you deserve to get there safely. With the help of standard safety suites on the 2023 Soul and the 2023 Kicks, you can do just that and feel more confident behind the wheel.
Kia Drive Wise and Nissan Safety Shield® 360 are the standard safety suites on the Kia Soul and the Nissan Kicks. Both models share several driver-assistance aids in common, including:
- Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian & Cyclist Detection
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
Plus, both models have a Rear-View Monitor that will help you navigate out of your driveway or a parking space at the mall with ease.
Despite their similarities, the Kia Soul offers the more comprehensive safety suite. It has a few more standard features that the Nissan Kicks goes without:
- Driver Attention Warning
- Rear Occupant Alert
- Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
While the Nissan has an available Intelligent Driver Alertness feature, it goes without comparable features that notify you of any rear passengers or cargo in the second row or notify you of set speed limits.
It’s safe to say that the 2023 Soul and the 2023 Kicks would both make excellent companions. However, we believe the Kia’s enhanced performance, roomier cabin, and additional safety features provide the added heart and soul you’re looking for.
Do you agree? If so, stop by Feldman Kia near Novi, Livonia, and Southfield, MI, for a test drive.
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