2027 Nissan Kicks vs. 2027 Honda HR-V

Shopping for a small SUV in the St. Louis area usually comes down to a short list, and the 2027 Nissan Kicks vs. 2027 Honda HR-V comparison is one we hear about constantly at our dealership. Both are compact and priced for real budgets, but the badge on the hood matters less than the details underneath. Below is an honest, side-by-side look at Kicks vs. HR-V so you can decide which one actually fits your daily drive.

2027 Nissan Kicks vs. 2027 Honda HR-V: Quick Verdict

The Kicks is the value play here. It starts about $3,810 less than the HR-V, gets better fuel economy across the board, and offers AWD across the lineup. The rugged-looking Rock Creek treatment is a package on the SV, available only with AWD, adding Off-Road drive mode, Hill Descent Control, all-terrain-styled wheels, and heated seats and mirrors.

The HR-V counters with more horsepower and a more established feature set on its upper trims. If you want the lowest cost of entry and easy city maneuverability, the Kicks makes a strong case. If you’re comparing on outright power and don’t mind paying more, the HR-V holds its own. Want to see the Kicks in person? browse our current Nissan Kicks inventory and compare trims for yourself.

Pricing and Trim Levels Compared

Price is usually the first filter for small SUV shoppers, and it’s where the gap between these two is widest.

2027 Nissan Kicks Trims and Starting Prices

Nissan offers the Kicks in three trims. The S is front-wheel drive, starting at $22,790. The SV runs $24,490 with front-wheel drive or $26,490 with AWD, and adding the Rock Creek Package to an SV AWD brings it to $28,840. The SR is $27,595 in front-wheel drive and $29,395 with AWD. All figures exclude the $1,545 destination charge.

2027 Honda HR-V Trims and Starting Prices

Honda prices the HR-V higher across the board. The LX starts at $26,600, the Sport at $28,400, and the EX-L at $30,450, plus a $1,450 destination charge. Real Time AWD is optional on any trim for an additional $1,500.

Which Small SUV Delivers More Value

The Kicks wins on entry price by a wide margin, starting $3,810 below the HR-V LX. At the top of each lineup the gap narrows and then flips: the Kicks SR AWD at $29,395 costs more than an HR-V LX with AWD added at $28,100, though it stays under an AWD Sport at $29,900 or an AWD EX-L at $31,950. The cheapest way into an all-wheel-drive Kicks is the SV AWD at $26,490, which is where the value argument actually lives. The HR-V earns its price back with more standard equipment on the Sport and EX-L, covered below.

Engine Performance, MPG, and AWD Availability

Power and efficiency numbers tell two different stories here.

Nissan Kicks Powertrain and Fuel Economy

The Kicks runs a 2.0L four-cylinder producing 141 horsepower through a CVT, tuned for efficiency rather than quick acceleration. FWD models return 28 city/35 highway/31 combined MPG, while AWD versions land at 27/34/30. That’s competitive fuel economy for a vehicle that can now be had with all-wheel drive.

Honda HR-V Powertrain and Fuel Economy

Honda’s 2.0L four-cylinder makes 158 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 138 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm, giving the HR-V a clear horsepower edge over the Kicks. That extra power comes with a fuel economy tradeoff: 2WD models are EPA-rated at 26/32/28, and AWD models drop to 25/30/27.

AWD Capability and Ground Clearance for St. Louis Roads

This is where the Kicks starts to look like the smarter pick for local driving. AWD is available on the SV and SR, and required if you want the Rock Creek Package, while the S is front-wheel drive only. Nissan lists ground clearance at 8.4 inches across the lineup. Honda’s Real Time AWD system is well proven, but the HR-V sits at 7.0 inches on LX and EX-L and 7.3 on Sport.

AWD Kicks models also add a Snow drive mode the front-drive versions don’t get, and the Rock Creek Package brings Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control on top of that. For St. Louis winters and the pothole-riddled stretches of road that show up every spring, that extra inch-plus of clearance could matter more than most buyers expect.

Curious how AWD pricing works out for your budget? Apply for financing online and get a real number before you visit.

Cargo Space and Passenger Room

Interior space is where small SUV shoppers start comparing tape measures, and the numbers here need some context.

Interior Space and Seating Comfort

Honda lists 41.9 inches of front legroom and 37.7 inches of rear legroom on the HR-V, with 98.7 cubic feet of passenger volume on LX and Sport and 97.3 on the EX-L. Nissan publishes the Kicks differently, breaking passenger space into 53.6 cubic feet up front and 42.1 in the second row for 95.7 total, so the two figures aren’t measured the same way and shouldn’t be compared directly.

Cargo Capacity Seats Up and Folded

Cargo comes down to which drivetrain you pick. A front-drive Kicks S or SV holds 30.0 cubic feet with the seats up and 60.0 folded, beating the HR-V’s 24.4 and 55.1 on both counts. Add all-wheel drive and the Kicks drops to 23.9 and 50.1, since the AWD hardware takes up the underfloor space. So if cargo room is your priority and you don’t need AWD, the Kicks wins. If you want AWD, the HR-V carries more.

Safety Technology and Infotainment Features

Both automakers pack a lot of technology into these small SUVs, though they approach it differently.

Every Kicks gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen and Nissan Safety Shield 360, which covers automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto start at SV. The SR adds ProPILOT Assist, lane departure prevention, and traffic sign recognition, while the Rock Creek Package brings rear automatic braking and the Around View Monitor. An available Bose 10-speaker system is also on offer for buyers who care about audio.

The HR-V’s LX trim starts with a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a 7-inch TFT digital gauge cluster. Honda Sensing comes standard across the lineup, though not every piece of it does. Blind Spot Information and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor start at Sport, and parking sensors are EX-L only. The Kicks includes blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert on the base trim. The Sport trim adds 18-inch wheels, remote start, and heated seats, while the EX-L brings parking sensors, leather seating, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and dual-zone climate control.

Neither manufacturer has published 2027 IIHS or NHTSA crash test results yet, so we’re not going to cite older ratings as if they apply to these new model years. That data simply isn’t available right now.

Nissan Kicks vs. Honda HR-V Specs at a Glance

Here’s how the two line up on the numbers that usually decide it. Note that cargo room shifts with drivetrain on the Kicks, so the front-drive and AWD columns tell different stories.

Everyday Usability Around St. Louis

For daily commuting, both SUVs handle city streets and highway on-ramps without issue. The Kicks’ smaller footprint makes it easier to park downtown or squeeze into tight garage spaces, and its available AWD adds confidence during the occasional ice storm. The HR-V’s added interior room may suit drivers who regularly haul passengers or gear, but its higher starting price and lower ground clearance are worth weighing against your actual routes.

Which Small SUV Fits Your Lifestyle Better

Each of these SUVs is built around a different set of priorities, so the choice comes down to what you value most.

Choose the Nissan Kicks If

You want the lowest price of entry and the better fuel economy that comes with it, plus more ground clearance for winter streets and spring potholes. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert are standard from the base trim, the bigger touchscreen comes on every Kicks, and front-drive models carry more cargo than the HR-V does. Add all-wheel drive on the SV or SR, or the Rock Creek Package for a more rugged look and a few extra traction tools, and you still land under an AWD HR-V Sport. It’s also the easier of the two to park downtown.

Choose the Honda HR-V If

You want the extra horsepower, a bit more passenger room, and cargo space that holds up whether or not you choose all-wheel drive.

Explore the 2027 Nissan Kicks at AutoCenters Nissan

We keep over 1,000 new and used vehicles in one location, so you can compare the Kicks against other options without driving all over town. Every new Nissan we sell comes backed by a lifetime warranty and a 30-day return policy, which takes some of the pressure off a big purchase decision. We’re located just outside St. Louis at 1277 McNutt St, Herculaneum, MO 63048, and our team can walk you through Kicks trims, pricing, and AWD options in person.

Start by browsing our Nissan Kicks inventory to see which trims and drivetrains are on the lot right now. If you’re still deciding, compare compact SUVs side by side to see how the Kicks stacks up against the rest of the segment. And when you’re ready to talk numbers, you can apply for financing online and walk in with a real figure instead of an estimate.

Have More Questions?

Still weighing the 2027 Nissan Kicks vs. 2027 Honda HR-V for your next vehicle? Contact us for personalized guidance and we’ll help you find the right fit, no pressure, just straight answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Is Cheaper, the 2027 Nissan Kicks or 2027 Honda HR-V?

The Kicks is cheaper, starting at $22,790 versus $26,600 for the HR-V, before destination charges.

Which Gets Better Gas Mileage?

The Kicks gets better EPA-estimated MPG in both FWD and AWD configurations compared to the HR-V.

Does Either SUV Offer More Cargo Space?

It depends on drivetrain. A front-drive Kicks holds 30.0 cubic feet seats-up and 60.0 folded, more than the HR-V’s 24.4 and 55.1. An AWD Kicks drops to 23.9 and 50.1, which puts the HR-V ahead.