Kia Soul vs Nissan Kicks: reliability compared
From 2018 to 2025, owners filed an average of 149 complaints per model year about the Kia Soul and 65 about the Nissan Kicks.
Side by side
| Kia Soul | Nissan Kicks | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2018-2025 | 2018-2025 |
| Owner complaints | 1,194 | 523 |
| Complaints per model year | 149 | 65 |
| Recalls | 6 | 8 |
| Years to avoid | None stand out | None stand out |
| Best years | 20192022 | 201820212022 |
| Most common problem | Engine | Driver assistance |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 30-31 mpg combined (2025) | 30-33 mpg combined (2025) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Soul | Kicks | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 787 | 101 |
| Transmission | 175 | 74 |
| Electrical | 112 | 118 |
| Fuel system | 64 | 37 |
| Brakes | 51 | 59 |
| Steering | 47 | 26 |
| Driver assistance | 41 | 161 |
Questions about the Kia Soul vs Nissan Kicks
Which is more reliable, the Kia Soul or the Nissan Kicks?
Between 2018 and 2025, the Kia Soul has 0 years to avoid and the Nissan Kicks 0. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Nissan Kicks drew fewer complaints per model year (65 vs 149), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Kia Soul or the Nissan Kicks?
From 2018 to 2025, the Kia Soul was covered by 6 recalls and the Nissan Kicks by 8.
What years of the Kia Soul and Nissan Kicks should you avoid?
Kia Soul: no year stands out. Nissan Kicks: no year stands out.
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