Porsche Cayenne vs Nissan Kicks

The 2025 Nissan Kicks was designed with young consumers and first-time car buyers in mind, drawing inspiration from sneaker culture to create a vehicle that exuded comfort, agility, and style. The Kicks designers aimed to make the vehicle appear tougher than other small crossovers without crossing into sporty territory. Built on the new CMF-B platform, the Kicks was slightly larger and had increased ground clearance, distinguishing it from its competitors. It offered nine color options, with the base trim limited to five, while the mid and top trims featured two-tone configurations. The Kicks also incorporated thoughtful details like the Kicks logo on side-mirror supports and sneaker-tread-like rocker panel trim, enhancing its premium feel despite its affordability.

Inside, the Kicks featured a variety of textures that mostly complemented each other, although some cost-cutting measures were evident in areas like the headliner and lower console surfaces. The carbon-fiber-look panel on the dash was a highlight, being soft to the touch. The Kicks boasted Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, providing comfort and support with standard cloth or optional synthetic leather upholstery. Heated front seats were available on higher trims, but all seats were manually adjustable. The Kicks came standard with LED exterior lighting and 16-inch steel wheels, with options for 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available in both standard SUV and sporty Coupe forms, with trim levels ranging from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo GT. The GTS trim, which was the focus of this review, featured high gloss black trim, bronze exhaust tips, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes. The GTS also sported tinted headlights, red brake calipers, and 21-inch wheels. The Cayenne Coupe offered an adaptive rear spoiler, while the base model had smaller wheels and satin black trim. Inside, the Cayenne allowed for extensive customization, from colors to trim and seat belts, though these options could become costly. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle for added storage space.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks addressed previous criticisms of being loud and harsh by introducing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new CVT, delivering 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant improvement over the previous generation's 1.6-liter engine with 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. The new powertrain allowed the Kicks to keep pace with traffic while maintaining good fuel economy. An all-wheel-drive option was introduced, enhancing the Kicks' SUV-like feel and making it more suitable for winter conditions. The AWD system used torque vectoring to optimize traction, and the Kicks featured a multi-link suspension and retuned steering for a more direct feel. The result was a balanced driving experience with minimal body roll and improved noise control in the cabin. However, the Kicks was slow to accelerate at times, and Sport mode only slightly improved performance. Fuel economy was rated at 28 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for FWD, with AWD models achieving 37 city, 34 highway, and 30 combined.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.0-liter V6 producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT boasted 650 hp. Plug-in hybrid options were available, with up to 729 hp. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, delivered 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed transmission and AWD. The GTS could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph. The GTS offered a sporty yet comfortable driving experience, with precise steering and an active suspension system. The Cayenne's performance was further enhanced by Pirelli P Zero tires, stiffer roll bars, and a water-cooled transfer case. The GTS could switch between Sport and Sport Plus modes for optimal throttle and transmission performance, while Normal mode provided a comfortable commute. The Cayenne's base model also offered impressive driving characteristics, with options for adaptive air suspension and dynamic chassis control.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks provided a good view of the road from the driver's seat, although the seating position was low and required manual adjustment. The interior was designed for convenience, with easy access to controls and a proximity lock and unlock feature on higher trims. The Kicks' redesign improved cabin space, particularly in the second row, and the panoramic moonroof added to the airy feel. The Kicks offered best-in-class cargo space, with up to 30 cubic feet (23.9 cubic feet with AWD) and 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the cabin experienced wind buffeting with only the driver's side window down, which could be alleviated by opening another window or the moonroof.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte options, with the base model featuring eight-way power-adjustable seats, two-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. Higher trims like the GTS included a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner, with options for Race-Tex or leather interiors. The Cayenne's options list was extensive, allowing for customization of door sills, floor mats, and more. However, the Cayenne only accommodated five people, with no third-row seating option. The standard Cayenne offered 27.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to over 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The coupe version had slightly less space, and the PHEV models had reduced cargo capacity due to the battery.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks featured a basic infotainment system on the base model, with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a four-speaker stereo. The SV trim upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and a six-speaker stereo. The SR trim offered dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless charging, and a Bose audio system with 10 speakers, including headrest speakers. The SR's setup was well-integrated and easy to use, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with the Porsche Communication Management system, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for media control and video streaming. The Cayenne's screens were well-organized and responsive, with voice control options. A head-up display provided pertinent information, although it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne included four USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks came standard with a rearview camera and the Safety Shield 360 package, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. ProPilot Assist was standard on the SV trim, offering advanced driver-assistance features. The Kicks also offered a 360-degree monitor system, a first for a subcompact crossover. However, the Kicks had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, but adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was advanced but not tested during the review. The Cayenne had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.