Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4VS 2025 Nissan Kicks Play

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Rav4 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Nissan Kicks Play doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Rav4 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Rav4 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Kicks Play has not been tested.

The Rav4 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Rav4 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Rav4 Adventure/Limited AWD/TRD Off-Road’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

The Toyota Rav4 has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

The Rav4 Limited offers an optional Bird’s Eye View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kicks Play only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The Rav4 has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Rav4 and the Kicks Play have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Toyota Rav4 weighs 619 to 955 pounds more than the Nissan Kicks Play. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Rav4	Kicks Play
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	152	191
Neck Injury Risk	29.3%	32%
Neck Stress	306 lbs.	374 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	284	326
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37.4%	79%
Neck Stress	258 lbs.	392 lbs.
Neck Compression	95 lbs.	138 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	340/190 lbs.	370/209 lbs.

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, results indicate that the Toyota Rav4 is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Rav4	Kicks Play
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	83	139
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	138 lbs.	172 lbs.
Hip Force	246 lbs.	347 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	146	318
Hip Force	508 lbs.	517 lbs.

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

Warranty

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4’s reliability 32 points higher than the Kicks Play.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 53 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Nissan is ranked 12th.

Engine

The Rav4’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 81 more horsepower (203 vs. 122) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 is faster than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Rav4	Kicks Play
Zero to 30 MPH	2.8 sec	3.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	10.5 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	13.5 sec	19.3 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	4.2 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	18 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87.6 MPH	77.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Rav4 LE AWD/XLE/XLE Premium’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Rav4 has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (14.5 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Rav4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks Play:

	Rav4	Kicks Play
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		11 inches

The Toyota Rav4 has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Rear drums are standard on the Kicks Play. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Rav4 stops much shorter than the Kicks Play:

	Rav4	Kicks Play
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	140 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Rav4 has larger standard tires than the Kicks Play (225/65R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks Play (235/55R19 vs. 205/60R16).

The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kicks Play’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 LE/XLE has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Kicks Play. The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited has standard 19-inch wheels.

The Toyota Rav4’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Nissan Kicks Play only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Rav4 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Nissan Kicks Play has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Rav4 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Rav4 flat and controlled during cornering. The Kicks Play’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Rav4’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the Kicks Play (105.9 inches vs. 103.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Rav4 is 3 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Kicks Play.

The Rav4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.5% to 43.5%) than the Kicks Play’s (60.7% to 39.3%). This gives the Rav4 more stable handling and braking.

The Rav4 4WD handles at .84 G’s, while the Kicks Play pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Rav4 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Kicks Play (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 LE/XLE has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks Play (8.4 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Rav4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Kicks Play (8.6 vs. 7 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Rav4 Limited uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Rav4 has 6.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks Play (98.9 vs. 92.6).

The Rav4 has 3.4 inches more front hip room, 4.8 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4.3 inches more rear legroom and 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks Play.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Rav4’s rear seats recline. The Kicks Play’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks Play with its rear seat up (37.6 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Rav4 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks Play with its rear seat folded (69.8 vs. 32.3 cubic feet).

The Rav4’s cargo area is larger than the Kicks Play’s in every dimension:

	Rav4	Kicks Play
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/73.4”	35.4”/64”
Max Width	59”	49.7”
Min Width	39.4”	38.3”
Height	36.6”	31.6”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Rav4 (except LE) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the Rav4 Limited, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Rav4 has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks Play has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

The Rav4 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Rav4 Limited, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Rav4’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kicks Play has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Rav4 and the Kicks Play have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Rav4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Kicks Play prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Rav4’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kicks Play’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Kicks Play can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Rav4 XLE/Limited’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kicks Play’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Rav4’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Kicks Play’s halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Rav4 XLE/Limited has standard extendable sun visors. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Rav4’s optional outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Rav4 (except LE) offers optional heated front and second row seats (second row heated seats on Limited) extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Kicks Play.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Rav4 Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Rav4 XLE/Limited’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Rav4 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Rav4 XLE/Limited’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Rav4 XLE/Limited’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Rav4 has a standard Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To direct the driver from any location to a given street address, a GPS navigation system is available on the Rav4. The Rav4’s navigation system also has a real-time traffic update feature that offers alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a navigation system.

With standard voice command, the Rav4 offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks Play’s traditional radio, the Toyota Rav4 equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Rav4 XLE Premium/Limited/TRD Off-Road offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Rav4 and the Nissan Kicks Play, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Nissan Kicks Play by over six to one during 2024.

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