Fuel economy face-off: nissan kicks vs. sandero stepway – which suv sips less gas?

The Nissan Kicks and the Sandero Stepway are two popular compact crossovers that offer a blend of style, practicality, and affordability. Both vehicles have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, making it a challenge to choose the right one for your needs. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll put the Nissan Kicks and the Sandero Stepway head-to-head and analyze their key features, performance, and value to help you make an informed decision.

Exterior Design

The Nissan Kicks boasts a bold and angular exterior design with sharp lines and a distinctive grille. Its sloping roofline and floating roof effect give it a sporty and modern look. The Sandero Stepway, on the other hand, has a more traditional crossover design with rounded edges and a prominent grille. Its raised ride height and body cladding add a rugged touch.

Interior Space and Comfort

The Kicks offers a spacious and comfortable cabin with plenty of headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Its well-designed interior features a user-friendly dashboard and high-quality materials. The Sandero Stepway’s cabin is slightly smaller than the Kicks, but it still provides decent space for four adults. Its interior is more basic but still functional, with a simple and easy-to-use dashboard.

Features and Technology

The Nissan Kicks comes with a generous list of features, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, and a host of safety features. The Sandero Stepway‘s feature list is more limited, but it includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and basic safety features.

Performance and Fuel Economy

The Kicks is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. The Sandero Stepway is available with two engine options: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces 115 horsepower and 112 lb-ft of torque, and a 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbo that produces 100 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of fuel economy, the Kicks has a slight edge over the Sandero Stepway. The Kicks with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, while the all-wheel-drive model gets 29 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The Sandero Stepway with the 1.6-liter engine gets 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, while the turbocharged model gets 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

Handling and Off-Road Capabilities

The Kicks and the Sandero Stepway both offer decent handling for their size. The Kicks has a slightly firmer suspension that provides better cornering stability, while the Sandero Stepway has a softer suspension that offers a more comfortable ride.

When it comes to off-road capabilities, the Sandero Stepway has a clear advantage with its higher ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive. The Kicks, on the other hand, is only available with front-wheel drive, which limits its off-road abilities.

Safety Features

The Kicks and the Sandero Stepway both offer a range of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. The Kicks also comes with a number of advanced safety features, such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The Sandero Stepway’s safety features are more basic, but it still provides a good level of protection for its occupants.

Value for Money

The Nissan Kicks starts at $19,990 for the base S trim and tops out at $28,490 for the top-of-the-line SR trim. The Sandero Stepway starts at $14,990 for the base Essential trim and tops out at $19,990 for the top-of-the-line Prestige trim.

In terms of value for money, the Sandero Stepway is the clear winner. It offers a lower starting price and a more affordable top-of-the-line trim than the Kicks. However, the Kicks offers a more spacious and comfortable cabin, a more powerful engine, and a wider range of safety features.

The Verdict

The Nissan Kicks and the Sandero Stepway are both solid choices for compact crossover shoppers. The Kicks offers a more stylish design, a more powerful engine, and a more spacious cabin. The Sandero Stepway, on the other hand, is more affordable, has better off-road capabilities, and offers a good level of safety features.

Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and priorities. If you’re looking for a stylish and well-equipped crossover with plenty of space and power, the Nissan Kicks is a good option. If you’re looking for an affordable crossover with good off-road capabilities and a decent level of safety features, the Sandero Stepway is a good choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which vehicle has a more spacious cabin?
A: The Nissan Kicks has a more spacious cabin than the Sandero Stepway, with more headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers.

Q: Which vehicle is more fuel-efficient?
A: The Nissan Kicks with front-wheel drive has a slight edge over the Sandero Stepway in terms of fuel economy, getting 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway compared to the Sandero Stepway’s 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Q: Which vehicle has better off-road capabilities?
A: The Sandero Stepway has better off-road capabilities than the Kicks, with higher ground clearance and standard all-wheel drive.

Q: Which vehicle is more affordable?
A: The Sandero Stepway is more affordable than the Kicks, with a lower starting price and a more affordable top-of-the-line trim.

Q: Which vehicle has more safety features?
A: The Nissan Kicks has more safety features than the Sandero Stepway, including lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring.