Compare the2026 Toyota Corolla CrossVS 2026 Nissan Kicks

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Corolla Cross has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kicks doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Corolla Cross and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Corolla Cross XLE has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Corolla Cross and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

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

	Corolla Cross	Kicks
OVERALL STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	191	476
Neck Injury Risk	33.6%	43.8%
Neck Stress	297 lbs.	476 lbs.
Neck Compression	61 lbs.	76 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	330	338
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	32.9%	67.5%
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	253 lbs.
Neck Compression	36 lbs.	76 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Corolla Cross is much safer than the Kicks:

	Corolla Cross	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	360/292 pounds	405/562 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

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 Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Nissan Kicks:

	Corolla Cross	Kicks
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	124
Hip Force	330 lbs.	371 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	206
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	669 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	239	303
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	623 lbs.	797 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Kicks:

	Corolla Cross	Kicks
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	113	182
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	112 lbs.
Neck Compression	89 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	1.5 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	6 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Toyota Corolla Cross achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Kicks is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Cross for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Kicks.

There are over 17 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross’ warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 6th.

Engine

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 28 more horsepower (169 vs. 141) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 140) than the Kicks’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Corolla Cross is faster than the Nissan Kicks:

	Corolla Cross	Kicks
Zero to 60 MPH	8.4 sec	10.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.5 sec	17.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84.8 MPH	79.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Cross FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Kicks FWD (31 city/33 hwy vs. 28 city/35 hwy).

The Corolla Cross 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Corolla Cross’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks:

	Corolla Cross	Kicks
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	11 inches

The Corolla Cross stops much shorter than the Kicks:

	Corolla Cross	Kicks
70 to 0 MPH	172 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla Cross L/LE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kicks S.

The Corolla Cross 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.

Passenger Space

The Corolla Cross has .2 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room and .5 inches more rear headroom than the Kicks.

Cargo Capacity

The Corolla Cross’ cargo area is larger than the Kicks’ in almost every dimension:

	Corolla Cross	Kicks
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	33”/66.7”	32.4”/63.9”
Max Width	54”	49.5”
Min Width	38”	40.3”
Height	35”	31.8”

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross XLE offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Kicks doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Corolla Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Corolla Cross XLE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Kicks doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Corolla Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan offers heated mirrors for extra charge, but only on the Kicks SV/SR.

The Corolla Cross XLE’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Corolla Cross and the Kicks offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kicks SV/SR doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard voice command, the Corolla Cross offers the driver hands free control of the radio by simply speaking. The Kicks doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Model Availability

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Nissan Kicks isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross retains 67.48% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 60.97% resale value of the 2026 Nissan Kicks after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Nissan Kicks, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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