Compare the2026 Hyundai VenueVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

Both the Venue and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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

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

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 Hyundai Venue is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Venue is 3.6% to 5.5% less likely to roll over than the Kicks.

The Venue comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Kicks’ 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Venue 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Kicks. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Kicks ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Venue’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Kicks’ (7 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 2 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Venue is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

The Venue has a standard locking fuel door. 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.

The Venue stops much shorter than the Kicks:

The Venue has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kicks; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

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

For better maneuverability, the Venue’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Kicks’ (33.2 feet vs. 34.8 feet).

The Hyundai Venue may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 500 pounds less than the Nissan Kicks.

The Venue is 1 foot shorter than the Kicks, making the Venue easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front step up height for the Venue is 2.4 inches lower than the Kicks (16” vs. 18.4”). The Venue’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the Kicks’ (17” vs. 19”).

The Venue’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kicks’ power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Hyundai Venue retains 61.34% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 60.97% resale value of the 2025 Nissan Kicks after five years, which can save the Hyundai’s owner.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Venue, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Kicks isn't recommended.