2024 Toyota Yaris Cross vs Nissan Kicks e-Power Comparo: Spec Sheet Battle

With the entry of the Toyota Yaris Cross into the Philippines market, one of the largest Japanese car brands in the country gets another hybrid-powered model in its lineup.

All-New Toyota Yaris Cross – MOST AFFORDABLE Toyota Hybrid | Philkotse Quick Look

The Toyota Yaris Cross also presents a challenge to other currently offered crossovers in the local market specifically of the electrified variety. One of these is the Nissan Kicks e-Power which was introduced to the market in August 2022.

So how does the all-new Yaris Cross compare against the Kicks e-Power? To find out, we’ll compare the Yaris Cross’ top-spec S 1.5 HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) variant against the Kicks’ top-spec VL trim.

Nissan Kicks e-Power Review – Should This Be Your First Electrified Car? (w/ English Subtitles)

We chose these two because their prices are both above the Php 1.5 million mark. The Kicks VL retails at Php 1,539,000 while the Yaris Cross S HEV can be had for Php 1,598,000.

To kick off this comparison, let’s go over their dimensions. This might be important to buyers since it may give them a clue about how spacious these vehicles are. It may also show which vehicle is more compact.

The 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross S HEV

For the Yaris Cross S HEV, it is 4,310mm long, 1,770mm wide, and 1,615mm tall. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,620mm and a ground clearance of 212mm.

The Nissan Kicks in turn, spans 4,300mm long, is 1,760mm wide, and 1,615mm in height. Its wheelbase clocks in at 2,620mm, and it has a ground clearance of 180mm.

Based on the figures above, the Toyota model is slightly longer and wider than the Nissan. Both do get an equally long wheelbase and height, though the Yaris Cross gets significantly more in the way of ground clearance.

The 2023 Nissan Kicks e-Power VL

For exterior equipment, both vehicles get LED headlamps, LED taillights, LED daytime running lamps, and front fog lamps. The two crossovers also come with an auto on/off function for their headlamps, roof rails, and power-folding side mirrors.

Completing the looks of the top-spec Yaris Cross are a set of 18-inch alloy wheels. The Nissan in comparison, rides on a smaller set of 17-inch wheels.

Inside, both of these crossovers can seat up to five occupants including the driver. For their driver, the two then provide a push-to-start button, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a digital gauge cluster, keyless entry, a center front cabin armrest, and an electronic parking brake.

Finding one’s preferred sitting position in the Toyota is easier thanks to an electronically adjustable driver’s seat. The Nissan Kicks’ steering column though, is tilt and telescopic, while the Yaris Cross’ is tilt only.  The Nissan then gets a stubby shift selector, while the Toyota gets a more traditional-looking gear shift lever. Both then come with dial-type controls for their Single-zone automatic air-conditioning systems.

Inside the Toyota Yaris Cross S HEV

Loading the trunk of the Yaris Cross is also easier thanks to its power tailgate. In the Kicks, its users will have to make do with a manual tailgate.

For entertainment, the Yaris Cross S HEV is kitted out with a 10.1-inch touchscreen headunit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is then paired to Type C USB ports, a 12-volt socket, and a wireless smartphone charger.

The Nissan Kicks' cockpit

The Nissan Kicks gets a slightly smaller eight-inch infotainment screen with a wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features Type C USB ports and a 12-volt charger, though it lacks a wireless phone charger.

For propulsion, the Yaris Cross S HEV uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 hybrid mill. Its combustion component alone makes 81 horsepower and 121 Nm of torque, but its electric motor adds 78 horsepower. This ups its total output to 109 horsepower.

The Nissan Kicks in turn, uses a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine that outputs 134 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque.

Yaris Cross S HEV's engine

The Kicks is obviously the more powerful of the two but do bear in mind that it works differently than the Yaris Cross. To put it simply, what drives the Kicks primarily is its AC synchronous motor. The three-cylinder is merely there to power up its electric motor’s battery.

The Yaris Cross meanwhile, is more of a traditional hybrid wherein its electric generator gives the main combustion mill a boost in power as needed.

The Kicks is actually closer to an electric vehicle (EV) and this is also reflected in its single-speed gear reduction gearbox. The Yaris Cross meanwhile, gets a more conventional continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Nissan Kicks' 1.2-liter three-cylinder mill

The Nissan-made crossover also stands out as it is the only one that comes with the e-Pedal step: a system that allows the driver to use only one foot (on the accelerator) to control the vehicle. This is achieved thanks to the Kick’s regenerative braking which activates automatically as needed.

Other than that, both crossovers are similar. The two use disc brakes for all four wheels, and both use a MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension.

Handling safety on these two crossovers is their respective brand’s suite of advanced driver-assistive technologies. These are the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suit for the Kicks, and the Toyota Safety Sense for the Yaris Cross. Both include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and hill-start assist.

Toyota Yaris Cross S HEV from the side

For their differences, the one on the Toyota gets blind-spot monitoring, lane trace assist, lane keep assist, and automatic high beams. These features are not present in the Nissan. Also note that while the Toyota gets adaptive cruise control, the Nissan comes with a simpler standard cruise control system. On the flip side though, the Kicks has a driver attention alert which is not available on the Toyota.

Side profile of the Nissan Kicks

Other safety features shared between the two crossovers are anti-lock braking, traction control, stability control, an around-view monitor, parking sensors, a car alarm, and an engine immobilizer. Both rides also get a total of six airbags each.

There are plenty of differences between the Yaris Cross and the Kicks but the gist of it is, the Nissan model is more of an EV while the Yaris Cross is a regular hybrid. We will not point out which is the better among the two as buyers will have to figure that one out for themselves.

Yaris Cross S HEV from the rear

For features though, it looks like the Yaris Cross is going heavier in the driver assistance and entertainment department. So if you want those, go for the Toyota. On the flip side, the Nissan crossover promises to be peppier and quicker on its feet than its rival.

As with most comparison articles, we’ve only taken a look at these vehicles’ specs. So if you’re on the fence about which one of these to get, it would be better to take them out for a short test drive.

The Nissan Kicks VL's rear end

Read more comparison articles and the latest automotive industry updates here on Philkotse.