“Small SUVs “”Which Do You Like?”” Nissan’s New “”Kicks”” Receives Renewed Attention as a Competitor to Toyota’s Very Popular “”Yaris Cross
The Yaris Cross, with its active character, and the Kicks, with its large body and practicality
Since its birth in August 2020, Toyota’s compact SUV “”Yaris Cross”” has become an instant hit. Its rival, Nissan’s KIX, underwent a minor change in July 2022. The unique e-POWER hybrid system has been significantly improved in performance, and a new 4WD model has also been added.
Let’s compare these two rival compact SUV models again.
“”Very different”” in terms of design! Rivalry! Toyota Yaris Cross and Nissan Kicks
(Top) Toyota’s new Yaris Cross GR SPORT / (Bottom) Nissan’s new KIX e-POWER 4WD
The Yaris Cross is a completely new model launched in August 2020. It was developed based on the TNGA GA-B platform of Toyota’s Yaris compact car.
The body size is compact, measuring 4180 mm (length) x 1765 mm (width) x 1590 mm (height) with a wheelbase of 2560 mm.
The exterior has an active yet refined form, with a fresh design with a very strong sense of condensation.
In July 2022, the lineup will be further expanded with the addition of the “”Z “”Adventure,”” an exclusively designed model that emphasizes an active character, and the “”GR SPORT,”” a sporty model.
In contrast, the KIX will make its debut in June 2020.
The KIX is slightly larger than the Yaris Cross, measuring 4290 mm (overall length) x 1760 mm (overall width) x 1605 mm (overall height) with a wheelbase of 2620 mm.
The exterior features a double V-motion grille and floating roof, and the two-tone orange (Premium Horizon Orange) and black coloring, which emphasizes an active image, is a symbolic coloring of the KIX.
In 2021, the “”KIX AUTECH”” model will be added with a customized interior and exterior based on the concept of “”premium sportiness.”” On the exterior, the premium level has been increased with special metal-like decorations, a dark chrome grille with dot patterns, and gun metallic painted wheels.
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Next, let’s compare the interior.
The Yaris Cross features a functional layout with the center section display audio system positioned at the top.
The higher grade “”Z”” has a dark brown interior color. The new Z “”Adventure”” grade has a black interior with exclusive seat upholstery combining saddle tan synthetic leather and tweed-like fabric, while the GR SPORT grade has sporty seats and exclusive black upholstery. The GR SPORT model offers sporty seats and exclusive black upholstery.
Despite its compact size, the Yaris Cross is also characterized by its attention to packaging of the cargo area. It has a square cargo space that is designed to accommodate suitcases and golf bags, and has a capacity of 390 liters for a full passenger capacity.
The KIX features a liberating instrument panel design and the “”X Two Tone Interior Edition,”” a two-tone color combination that is just as striking as the exterior.
At the beginning of 2020, only the orange-tan and black combination was available, but a beige and black pattern was added in the 2022 facelift. In addition, the new “”X Style Edition”” grade features a luxurious interior with brown tones.
The KIX AUTECH mentioned above also features leatherette seats and trim in a combination of blue and black colors and exclusive blue stitching to enhance the quality of the interior.
In addition, the center console layout was changed during the minor changes, and the operability and quality of the shift lever were also greatly improved.
Another beauty of the KIX is that it has more interior space, including rear seats, than the Yaris Cross, taking advantage of its larger body size. The cargo area has a capacity of 423 liters, which can hold four M-size suitcases.
Small SUV “”Which Do You Like? Nissan’s New “”Kicks”” Against Toyota’s Very Popular “”Yaris Cross
Kicks’ e-POWER More Powerful with Minor Changes
Let’s compare the Yaris Cross and Kicks in terms of performance.
The Yaris Cross offers two types of powertrains: a 1.5-liter “”Dynamic Force”” gasoline engine and the new-generation THS II, which combines the same engine with a hybrid, each available in 4WD (E-Four for the hybrid) or FF.
In particular, THS II boasts overwhelmingly low fuel consumption, with a maximum catalog fuel consumption of 30.8 km/L (WLTC mode fuel consumption). The THS II is also equipped with an external power supply function, allowing the use of an electrical outlet for power supply.
As for advanced driving support functions, Toyota Safety Sense, a preventive safety package, is standard on all models, as is Advanced Park, an automatic parking system with advanced driving support functions that also controls steering, acceleration, and braking.
The new Nissan KIX e-POWER “”X Style Edition”” grade, added in a minor change in July 2022, features a luxurious interior with brown tones.
The KIX is an exclusive model for Nissan’s proprietary e-POWER hybrid system, with no gasoline engine version available.
The e-POWER system uses a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine exclusively for power generation and a motor to drive the vehicle, and features a smooth and quiet ride.
In a minor change in July 2022, the system will be updated to the second generation. The new system is approximately 5% more powerful, with a 5% increase in motor output and a 7% increase in maximum torque. An electric 4WD model, which was not available at the time of its debut in 2020, has also been added.
Catalog fuel economy has also been improved by approximately 6.4% with the minor changes, with a maximum of 23.0 km/L (WLTC mode fuel economy). Although it cannot match the overwhelmingly low fuel consumption of the Yaris Cross, it is still a good enough fuel economy performance.
As for advanced driving support functions, all models come standard with “”Pro Pilot,”” which reduces fatigue when driving long distances on expressways and in traffic jams. In addition, the Intelligent Around View Monitor and Intelligent Room Mirror were made standard equipment on higher grades during the minor changeover.
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As of mid-August 2022, sales prices (including consumption tax) range from 1,896,000 yen to 2,936,000 yen for the Yaris Cross.
The KIX ranges from 2,798,400 yen to 3,448,500 yen.”
