Navigating car lineups with expert guidance
Guide

Head-to-head comparison: nissan kicks vs. jeep cherokee – exploring features, performance, and price

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • Both the Nissan Kicks and Jeep Cherokee have received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
  • However, the Cherokee offers more standard features than the Kicks, including a larger engine, a more advanced infotainment system, and more safety features.
  • If you need a vehicle with more off-road capabilities, a more spacious cabin, and a wider range of safety features, the Cherokee is the better option.

When it comes to choosing a compact crossover SUV, the Nissan Kicks and Jeep Cherokee emerge as top contenders. Both vehicles offer a blend of practicality, style, and performance. However, each has its unique strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of the Nissan Kicks vs Jeep Cherokee to help you make an informed decision.

Performance: Power and Efficiency

The Nissan Kicks is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. The Jeep Cherokee offers a range of engine options, including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a 3.2-liter V6, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The base 2.4-liter engine produces 180 horsepower and 171 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of fuel economy, the Kicks has a slight edge over the Cherokee. The Kicks achieves an EPA-estimated 31 mpg city/36 mpg highway with front-wheel drive (FWD) and 30 mpg city/32 mpg highway with all-wheel drive (AWD). The Cherokee with the 2.4-liter engine gets 22 mpg city/31 mpg highway with FWD and 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway with AWD.

Interior: Space, Comfort, and Features

The Nissan Kicks offers a spacious and comfortable cabin for its size. The front seats are supportive and provide ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats are slightly cramped, but they offer enough space for two adults or three children. The Kicks comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

The Jeep Cherokee has a larger cabin than the Kicks, with more legroom and headroom in both rows. The front seats are comfortable, but the rear seats are not as supportive. The Cherokee’s infotainment system is larger than the Kicks’, measuring 8.4 inches. It also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as navigation and a premium audio system.

Safety: Features and Ratings

Both the Nissan Kicks and Jeep Cherokee have received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Kicks earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS. The Cherokee also received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS.

Standard safety features on the Nissan Kicks include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Jeep Cherokee offers a wider range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist.

Off-Road Capabilities: Jeep’s Advantage

One of the key differences between the Nissan Kicks and Jeep Cherokee is their off-road capabilities. The Cherokee is known for its excellent off-road performance, thanks to its rugged construction and available four-wheel drive system. The Kicks, on the other hand, is primarily designed for on-road use.

If you plan on doing any serious off-roading, the Jeep Cherokee is the better choice. However, if you only need a vehicle that can handle light off-road conditions, the Kicks is a more affordable and fuel-efficient option.

Reliability and Maintenance Costs

The Nissan Kicks has a good reliability rating, with Consumer Reports giving it a 4 out of 5 for predicted reliability. The Jeep Cherokee has a lower reliability rating, with Consumer Reports giving it a 2 out of 5.

Maintenance costs for the Nissan Kicks are estimated to be around $450 per year, while maintenance costs for the Jeep Cherokee are estimated to be around $600 per year.

Price and Value

The Nissan Kicks has a lower starting price than the Jeep Cherokee. The base Kicks S starts at $19,070, while the base Cherokee Latitude starts at $27,490.

However, the Cherokee offers more standard features than the Kicks, including a larger engine, a more advanced infotainment system, and more safety features.

The Bottom Line: The Right Choice for Your Needs

Ultimately, the best choice between the Nissan Kicks and Jeep Cherokee depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you value affordability, fuel efficiency, and a good reliability rating, the Kicks is a solid choice. If you need a vehicle with more off-road capabilities, a more spacious cabin, and a wider range of safety features, the Cherokee is the better option.

What You Need to Know

Q: Which vehicle has better fuel economy, the Nissan Kicks or Jeep Cherokee?
A: The Nissan Kicks has better fuel economy than the Jeep Cherokee.

Q: Which vehicle has a higher safety rating, the Nissan Kicks or Jeep Cherokee?
A: Both the Nissan Kicks and Jeep Cherokee have received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

Q: Which vehicle has a larger cabin, the Nissan Kicks or Jeep Cherokee?
A: The Jeep Cherokee has a larger cabin than the Nissan Kicks.

Q: Which vehicle is more reliable, the Nissan Kicks or Jeep Cherokee?
A: The Nissan Kicks has a higher reliability rating than the Jeep Cherokee.

Q: Which vehicle has a lower starting price, the Nissan Kicks or Jeep Cherokee?
A: The Nissan Kicks has a lower starting price than the Jeep Cherokee.

Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
Back to top button