Compare the2025 Nissan Kicks PlayVS 2025 Lexus UX

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Kicks Play has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Automatic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Parking Support Brake costs extra on the UX.

Both the Kicks Play and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Kicks Play is safer than the Lexus UX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Kicks Play is safer than the Lexus UX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kicks Play for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the UX (2/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Kicks Play’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is rated lower.

The Kicks Play SV/SR’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the UX are solid, not vented.

The Kicks Play stops shorter than the UX:

The Kicks Play has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The UX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Kicks Play has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Kicks Play handles at .83 G’s, while the UX 300h F Sport Handling pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Nissan Kicks Play may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 800 pounds less than the Lexus UX.

The Kicks Play is 7.9 inches shorter than the UX, making the Kicks Play easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Kicks Play has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The UX uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Kicks Play has 2.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (92.6 vs. 90.4).

The Kicks Play has 3.2 inches more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The Kicks Play has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (25.3 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Kicks Play and the Lexus UX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Nissan Kicks Play outsold the Lexus UX by over 8 to one during 2024.