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The new Nissan Kicks 2025 replaces the Qashqai by being larger than its predecessor and offering all-wheel drive.
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The Volkswagen Taos receives styling and mechanical updates for the new model year.
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These two SUVs offer practicality, style and technology at a relatively affordable price.
The subcompact SUV segment is one of the most popular and competitive in the North American market, with many new or refreshed models arriving each year.
In 2025, the race will be even hotter, with the launch of an all-new Nissan Kicks and a refreshed Volkswagen Taos.
Here is an overview of the comparison between these two new models:
Overview of the new Kicks
While the old Nissan Kicks was a small, front-wheel-drive subcompact crossover, the new model is a larger SUV, with optional all-wheel drive, that replaces the Qashqai in the brand’s lineup. As the old Kicks becomes the entry-level Kicks Play this year, the new model is free to aim for a slightly higher price bracket, putting it in line with the Volkswagen Taos. In terms of design, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is light years ahead of its predecessor, sporting a modern, more muscular appearance that is said to have been inspired by sneaker culture. This is evident in the ribbed pattern of the lower body cladding and the six vibrant two-tone paint options.
Overview of the revamped Taos
At Volkswagen, things have also changed in 2025. Indeed, although the Taos returns in the same basic configuration for the new model year, it has received some fairly significant updates aimed at making it more competitive with newcomers to the segment, such as the 2025 Nissan Kicks. Since its launch in 2020, the Volkswagen Taos has occupied the bottom of the Volkswagen SUV range in terms of size and price, since the brand does not have a model for compete with vehicles like the Kicks Play or the Hyundai Venue. From the outside, the main changes are up front, where the 2025 Taos sports revised headlights, a new bumper, and a wider grille to better fit in with the brand’s other recent products, such as the Jetta 2025 and the ID.4. The rear also gets a new full-width light bar and the interior features revised color schemes as well as new technology equipment.
Powertrains and driving impressions
Nissan and Volkswagen have two different philosophies when it comes to the mechanical elements of their respective small SUVs, with the Japanese manufacturer seeking maximum efficiency and better city driving, while the German manufacturer aims for greater driving pleasure and better capabilities. on the highway. It starts with what’s under the hood of both models. In the 2025 Nissan Kicks, we find the same naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that fitted the Qashqai. Paired with a revamped XTronic CVT, this powertrain sends 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels or all wheels with optional all-wheel drive, which can distribute up to 50 percent of engine torque to the axle back. In the Taos, a smaller but turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine takes place as before, but now with a power increase up to 174 horsepower and the same 184 lb-ft of torque. Another change is the replacement of the 7-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox, which is replaced by a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions.
Thanks to its responsive low-rpm acceleration and smoother CVT transmission, the Nissan Kicks is better suited to heavy city traffic. Its quick steering and smaller size also help it in this sense. While still very capable on the highway, the Kicks seems a little out of its element as speeds increase, as its transmission has to work the engine quite hard to accelerate onto an on-ramp or up a hill, which results in more noise and less movement than we would like. In contrast, the Volkswagen Taos offers more substantial performance at higher speeds, making passing on country roads safer and the overall experience more refined. In town, on the other hand, the Volkswagen cannot match the smoothness of the Nissan.
The two models have in common the adjustment of their suspensions, which are rather firm. While this could result in an uncomfortable ride, that’s not the case here and both the Kicks and the Taos adequately absorb the biggest road imperfections. Handling is also very healthy for both SUVs, but again the Taos has a slight advantage.
On the other hand, the Kicks unequivocally wins in terms of fuel consumption, as its more modest mechanical elements pay off. According to NRCan, the front-wheel drive 2025 Nissan Kicks consumes an average of 8.1 L/100 km in the city and 6.6 L/100 km on the highway. Adding all-wheel drive results in a slight increase, to 8.4 L/100 km and 6.9 L/100 km, respectively. That’s still better than the 2025 Volkswagen Taos, which consumes 9.4 L/100 km in the city and 7.2 L/100 km on the highway with four-wheel drive. Figures for the front-wheel drive Volkswagen are not yet available.
Dimensions and interior space
Examining the specifications of the 2025 Nissan Kicks and 2025 Volkswagen Taos reveals a few surprises. First of all, the Kicks is one of the smallest models in the exterior segment, since it doesn’t quite match the size of the old Qashqai. Meanwhile, the Taos sits at the other end of the segment as one of the largest models in the category, almost copying the dimensions of the first generation Tiguan. While this makes the Kicks more maneuverable around town, the Taos is very boxy and offers great visibility, so the advantage isn’t so obvious.
Inside, the Nissan Kicks isn’t as cramped as you might think and it actually offers significantly more legroom and almost as much headroom for front occupants as the Taos. The Volkswagen does, however, have the advantage in terms of rear leg, head and shoulder room. This means that while the Kicks can accommodate four adults in reasonable comfort, the Taos is better suited to smaller families or those who need to travel with passengers regularly.
Furthermore, the Nissan has more cargo space, at least on front-wheel drive models. Indeed, with 850 liters of space behind the rear seats, the Kicks far exceeds the 790 liters of the Taos. By folding the rear seats, however, the Taos wins this battle, with 1,866 liters against 1,699 liters.
Interior design and technology
Technology is high on the agenda for subcompact SUV buyers, and here again, Nissan has taken a big step forward with its 2025 Kicks. Even in the entry-level S version, buyers will benefit from a large screen 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SR Premium trim adds a second 12.3-inch screen for the instrument cluster, with other models making do with a 7-inch unit. A wireless phone charger is also included starting with the SV trim, and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system (some of which are integrated into the front headrests) comes with the SR Premium. This audio system is one of the Kicks’ strong points, outperforming virtually every competing system in its price class. The 2025 Nissan Kicks also benefits from a significantly improved interior feel, with plenty of upholstered materials, a more modern look and comfortable Zero-Gravity seats. The SR Premium trim also adds visual interest with its bright red accents, faux carbon fiber leatherette accents, and black and red checkered upholstery.
Volkswagen has also improved the Taos’ tech situation this year by making the previously optional 8-inch touchscreen standard on all trims, complementing the also-standard 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. While this is a clear improvement, the Taos still lags behind the Kicks in this regard, especially since its infotainment system is less intuitive. On the other hand, the Digital Cockpit makes up for its small size by being much more configurable and informative than even the Kicks’ larger driver information screen. Like the exterior, the interior of the 2025 Volkswagen Taos is more sober than that of the Kicks, but also more mature, which means that the two vehicles appeal to different tastes. The Taos’ seats are supportive for long trips, but aren’t as well-cushioned as the Kicks’. Another improvement Volkswagen is making this year is the addition of the full suite of IQ Drive driver assistance technologies to all versions of the Taos, including the semi-autonomous Travel Assist system.
In comparison, Nissan makes buyers pay for some of these features by reserving them for higher trim levels. Indeed, the ProPilot Assist system, comparable to VW’s Travel Assist, is only available in the SR Premium version.
Price and value
Unsurprisingly, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is the more affordable of the two options presented here, but not by much. Indeed, Nissan has priced its newest SUV starting at $27,199 on the Canadian market, with all-wheel drive being a $2,000 option. The mid-range SV trim adds items like the wireless charging pad, remote engine start, and heated steering wheel, for an MSRP of $28,749. The top SR Premium trim rounds out the lineup with more driver-assist technologies, panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch driver information display, Bose audio system and standard all-wheel drive, at price of $34,899.
Those looking for a 2025 Volkswagen Taos will have to pay at least $29,795 for an entry-level front-wheel-drive Trendline model. Adding all-wheel drive is an extra $2,000 here too. The Comfortline version offers amenities such as electronic climate control, power driver’s seat, keyless entry and start, among others, for $35,295, with 4Motion all-wheel drive as standard. The Comfortline Black Edition version, priced at $36,995, adds some additional equipment and numerous black accents on the exterior for a sportier look. Finally, the Taos Highline justifies its $38,995 price with exclusives such as a Beats Audio sound system and larger alloy wheels.
Conclusion
Choosing between the 2025 Nissan Kicks and the Volkswagen Taos can be difficult, as both models have a lot to offer. In addition to personal design preferences, buyers’ choice should be influenced by how they intend to use the vehicle. For example, those who prioritize efficiency, style, modernity and technology will be better served by the new Nissan Kicks, while those who want more passenger space and better driving dynamics might take a look. eye to the Taos. No matter which vehicle you purchase, rest assured you’ll be getting behind the wheel of a capable small SUV.
