2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The color options were limited, especially for the base LX trim, which only offered black, silver, and white. The interior featured black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims adding wood panels and more chrome for a more upscale appearance. Despite its modern look, the CR-V's design didn't stand out as much as some of its competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks showcased significant exterior updates, aligning its design with other new Nissan models like the Armada and Rogue. The Kicks featured a bold V-motion grille, thinner and longer headlights, and a redesigned rear bumper and taillights. The SR trim level added LED headlights and fog lights, enhancing its sporty appearance. The Kicks also offered a variety of new paint options and a two-tone paint job, giving it a more distinctive and stylish look compared to the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, providing smooth and steady acceleration. It took about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that maintained constant engine revs, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup and handling were decent, offering a comfortable ride without any surprises.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, on the other hand, came with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. Paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and front-wheel drive, the Kicks offered nimble handling and easy maneuverability, especially in tight city spaces. Despite its lower power output, the Kicks had a good power-to-weight ratio, making it adequate for its size. The Kicks SR trim included additional features like an integrated dynamic-control module and adaptive cruise control. The Kicks also boasted impressive fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to comfortably fit five people and their gear, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured different tailgate options, from manual to hands-free power tailgates. However, only the top Touring trim came with standard roof rails. The CR-V's interior was practical and spacious, making it a strong contender for families needing ample cargo space.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made the most of its small size with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs, good small-item storage, and multiple USB ports. It featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Kicks offered best-in-class front seat legroom, though its hip room was less ideal for larger drivers. The available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the rear cargo area. Overall, the Kicks maximized its interior space efficiently, making it a practical choice for urban drivers.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text messaging. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful in all trims except the base LX, and the Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a robust set of tech features, even in the base model. The Kicks S included a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports. Higher trims added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch driver information screen. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with speakers in the front seat headrests. The Kicks also offered a surround-view monitor and a WiFi hotspot with over-the-air updates.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included 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 on higher trims. While the 2021 Kicks had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, the 2020 model received good marks in crashworthiness and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.