Kicks vs Kicks Play: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Same family, next chapter: the Kicks is the direct follow-up to the Kicks Play. Neither wins across the board. The Kicks makes its case with engine & performance; the Kicks Play makes its case with fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Kicks wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Kicks Play wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Kicks wins
- Safety & Tech Kicks wins
- Price Kicks Play wins
- Engine & Performance1.3
- Fuel Economy & Range3.4
- Engine & Performance0.1
- Fuel Economy & Range4.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Kicks has 19 hp more power
The Kicks Play lists 122 hp; the Kicks comes in at 141 hp. That’s not a rounding error. The Kicks’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Kicks has 26 lb-ft more torque
At 140 lb-ft versus 114 lb-ft, this is a decisive lead for the Kicks, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
-
The Kicks Play has better fuel economy
Don’t expect a night-and-day difference here. 33 mpg against 31 mpg is a small but genuine lead for the Kicks Play. The Kicks Play uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
-
The Kicks has a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen
If largest touchscreen is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Kicks leads clearly with 12.3 in to the Kicks Play’s 7 in. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
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The Kicks Play has better city fuel economy
The Kicks Play nudges ahead with 31 mpg, while the Kicks lists 28 mpg. Hybrids often shine in the city, and the Kicks Play has the better rating here.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | Kicks | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 70.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 64.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 104.6 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Curb weight (from) | 2,987 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Engine & Performance
Kicks leads
The engine & performance comparison is one-sided. The Kicks leads where it counts. The Kicks brings 19 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. The engine & performance verdict goes to the Kicks.
Total system output
Kicks: 141 hp Kicks Play: 122 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
Kicks: 140 lb-ft Kicks Play: 114 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
Kicks Play leads
The Kicks Play dominates the fuel economy & range section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. Point to the Kicks Play for better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. Anyone shopping mainly on fuel economy & range should start with the Kicks Play.
Fuel economy (combined)
Kicks: 31 mpg Kicks Play: 33 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
Kicks: 28 mpg Kicks Play: 31 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
If space & practicality matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. So space & practicality is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Off-road & Towing
Kicks leads
A modest lead on off-road & towing belongs to the Kicks. The Kicks pulls ahead with available all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning. For anyone who cares most about off-road & towing, the Kicks is the safer choice.
AWD / 4WD available
Kicks: yes Kicks Play: no Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces.
Safety & Tech
Kicks leads
The Kicks squeezes out a win in the safety & tech section. The Kicks steps ahead thanks to a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen. The Kicks’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room. The takeaway: on safety & tech, the Kicks is the stronger car.
Largest touchscreen
Kicks: 12.3 in Kicks Play: 7 in Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Kicks | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L I4 | 1.6L I4 |
| Total system output | 141 hp (winner) | 122 hp |
| Torque | 140 lb-ft (winner) | 114 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT (Xtronic) | CVT (Xtronic) |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Kicks | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 31 mpg | 33 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 28 mpg | 31 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 35 mpg | 36 mpg |
| Fuel tank | 11.9 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Kicks | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 30 cu ft Biggest cargo area | N/A (not specified) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 60 cu ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Rear legroom | 34.50 in | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Kicks | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 8.40 in | N/A (not specified) |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes (winner) | No |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Kicks | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12.3 in (winner) | 7 in Smallest touchscreen |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Kicks | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Width (no mirrors) | 70.9 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Height | 64.2 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Wheelbase | 104.6 in | N/A (not specified) |
| Curb weight (from) | 2,987 lb | N/A (not specified) |
Price
| Spec | Kicks | Kicks Play |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $21,830 | $21,520 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
With just $310 between them at launch, the Kicks Play and the Kicks are priced as near equals. With strengths on both sides, the $310 price gap becomes a useful tiebreaker.
Launch prices in the US as of launch; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Kicks if…
- you want more power (141 hp vs 122 hp)
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (140 lb-ft vs 114 lb-ft of torque)
- you rely on navigation and phone mirroring on a larger display (12.3 in vs 7 in)
- you face snow, ice or slippery back roads
- you’re buying fresh and prefer the more recent model
Choose the Kicks Play if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (33 mpg vs 31 mpg)
- you want better city fuel economy (31 mpg vs 28 mpg)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $310 more
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Kicks or the Kicks Play?
We’d point most buyers to the Kicks. The main exception is if you’re already happy with the Kicks Play.
Is the Kicks worth it over the Kicks Play?
For most owners, it’s a meaningful step. The Kicks brings 19 hp more power, 26 lb-ft more torque and a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen over the Kicks Play.
Is the Kicks cheaper than the Kicks Play?
The Kicks launched at $310 more than the Kicks Play, based on prices as of launch.
Executive Summary
Upgrading from the Kicks Play to the Kicks sounds like a no-brainer. I’m not sure it always is. It’s hard to argue with 19 hp more power, which is exactly what the Kicks brings. Another thing in the Kicks’s favor is a bigger 12.3 in touchscreen. The Kicks Play’s strongest argument is better fuel economy.
Put simply, the Kicks suits people who care about engine & performance, while the Kicks Play suits people who put fuel economy & range first.
My pick: the Kicks, though if your Kicks Play still does the job, keep it a while longer.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.