2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2020 Honda CR-V, a familiar face since its 2017 debut, showcased a design that was both fun and practical. Its exterior, with curvy lines and a resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, making it a modern family transportation staple. Inside, the CR-V presented a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers of its commodity car roots.

The CR-V’s base model, the FWD LX, started at an MSRP of $26,270, with three additional trims: EX, EX-L, and Touring. Each trim offered a three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, with AWD available for an extra $1,500. Standard 17-inch alloy wheels adorned the base model, while higher trims featured 18-inch and optional 19-inch wheels. Fabric seating was standard in lower trims, with leather available in higher trims. A retractable moonroof was included in all but the LX trim, and roof rails were exclusive to the Touring model.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design with the new Nissan Armada and Rogue. The front featured a bold, double V-motion design with a mix of chrome and piano black elements, while the rear sported a new bumper and LED taillights, giving it a proportionate, Nissan Leaf-like look. The Kicks offered new paint options and a two-tone paint job, enhancing its upmarket appearance.

The Kicks SR trim came with LED headlights, fog lights, and a sportier aesthetic with black heated mirrors and dark chrome grille accents. The interior, inspired by the 2020 Nissan Sentra, featured higher quality materials, new seat and door designs, and a full center console armrest in mid-range trims. The SR Premium Package added Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design and stitching, elevating the Kicks’ interior appeal.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This powertrain provided a responsive and quick driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V’s car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its excellent performance and fuel economy. FWD models achieved 30 mpg combined, while AWD models managed 29 mpg, placing the CR-V at the top of its class.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and FWD. Despite its modest power, the Kicks felt nimble and easy to maneuver, thanks to its electric power-assisted steering and front independent strut suspension. The Kicks’ handling was aided by its compact size, making parking and navigating tight spaces effortless. The Kicks SR trim featured an integrated dynamic-control module with active engine brake, intelligent trace control, and intelligent ride control, enhancing its driving dynamics. The Kicks achieved an impressive fuel economy of 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, inspired by the Honda Odyssey, providing ample storage for small items. The rear offered a two-position load floor, allowing for 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded. The CR-V’s door pockets were also spacious, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made the most of its compact size with well-placed buttons and knobs, good small-item storage, and easy-access USB ports. The climate controls were user-friendly, and the seat warmers provided quick warmth. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The front seats offered best-in-class legroom, though hip room was limited for larger drivers. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, and the available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the cargo area.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim offering limited features. Higher trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, which felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration felt tacked on. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports in higher trims, with two in the front and two high-powered ports in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks boasted a host of modern tech features. The base model included a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, and push-button start. The Kicks SV added Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The Kicks SR Premium Package featured a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, including two in the front seat headrests, providing an immersive audio experience. The Kicks also offered a surround-view monitor and a WiFi hotspot with over-the-air updates.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, which included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Kicks also had 10 airbags, a driver alertness monitor, and rear door alert in SV and SR trims. The 2020 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and Good marks in IIHS crashworthiness tests, with new headlights likely improving its ratings for 2021.