Edmunds stylish SUV test: Buick Envista vs. Nissan Kicks
Just because an SUV is small and inexpensive doesn't mean it has to be as bland as plain oatmeal for breakfast. The 2025 Buick Envista and 2025 Nissan Kicks are two great examples. They look good, have surprisingly big interiors, and boast prices in the $20,000s regardless of trim level. That's largely where the similarities stop, though.
It all starts with their designs. The redesigned 2025 Kicks has the sporty vibe of a fashionable sneaker with vibrant two-tone color options. It's fair to say it's more youthful. The Envista definitely isn't Grandma's Buick. It has a coupe-like look that could pass as something coming from Europe. There are plenty of other differences, too. Edmunds' auto experts compare these two small SUVs to help you decide which is the better buy.
Fuel economy and performance
The Envista has a turbocharged three-cylinder engine that's surprisingly peppy around town and when merging onto the highway despite its modest output of 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. One potential downside: The Envista is not available with all-wheel drive.
The Kicks has a four-cylinder engine with 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. Though the Kicks has a similar horsepower output, Edmunds' editors have found the vehicle slower in real-world driving, especially when you want a quick burst of speed for getting on the highway. All-wheel drive is available, though, which might be advantageous for buyers living in areas with snowy and icy winters. The EPA estimates that the Kicks gets 31 mpg combined with front-wheel drive or 30 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.
Advantage: Envista
Interior room and comfort
The Envista and Kicks are both small SUVs, but the Buick is longer and has a coupe-like roofline. As such, the Envista has less rear headroom but more rear legroom than the Kicks. There's about 4 more inches of rear legroom. That's a lot and can be useful if you need to install a bulky rear-facing child safety seat.
We do prefer the Kicks' front seating. Its comfortable driver's seat is similar to what you'll find in pricier Nissans, whereas the Envista's is rather flat and doesn't have enough bolstering to help keep you from sliding around when going around turns.
The Envista lacks the soft, cushy ride you might expect from a Buick. Still, it isn't uncomfortable and it maintains a better composure over bumps than the Kicks.
Advantage: Envista
Cargo space
In real-world testing, both the Envista and Kicks managed to hold more pieces of luggage in their trunks than we were expecting given their cargo volume specs. Their cargo areas are very different, though, which means it's smart to look beyond the official volumes.
The Envista has a longer, more trunk-like cargo area. The Kicks has a taller, boxier space that results not only in greater capacity on paper and in practice but in better versatility too. The components needed for the Kicks' available all-wheel-drive system reduce cargo space, but even then the Kicks will still have more space than the Envista.
Advantage: Kicks
Features and value
The $23,220 base Kicks S trim level is pretty dour-looking on the inside and has a small 7-inch touchscreen. It starts at $23,220 including destination fees. Thankfully, the more expensive Kicks SV ($25,070) and SR ($27,570) get padded, upholstered surfaces on the dash and doors, plus a colorful, feature-packed 12.3-inch touchscreen. It's a surprisingly cool and high-quality environment for the money.
The Envista interior has a more refined design, and there's less of a difference between trim levels with better overall materials quality. Every trim has a 10-inch touchscreen that's easier to use than the Kicks' base system but not quite as appealing as its 12.3-inch upgrade.
The Envista's base Preferred trim level starts at $25,195. That's more than the base Kicks, but its feature content is closer to the similarly priced Kicks SV. From there, the value equation tilts back and forth depending on the optional packages you choose, but ultimately, these two are similarly priced and equipped. The most expensive Envista Avenir with the Advanced Safety package goes for $30,790, while the priciest front-wheel-drive Kick SR with the Premium package is $29,520.
Advantage: tie
Edmunds says
The Nissan Kicks offers cool design, lots of features, strong fuel economy and surprising practicality, but the Envista's superior passenger space and performance add up to a stronger SUV overall. Its more re
_____
This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. James Riswick is a contributor at Edmunds.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Edmunds: These five vehicles are hidden automotive gems
There are some new cars that many shoppers tend to overlook even though they have a lot to offer. These hidden gems boast a special combination of attractive qualities and can potentially make excellent choices for savvy folks who want their ride to stand out from the sea of mainstream vehicles. Certain slower-selling cars don't get the respect they deserve, whether due to styling, the type of vehicle, or brand image. Edmunds explores five hidden gems and the wow factor that makes them shine. Our choices are ordered by starting price, including destination fees. Hyundai Ioniq 6 The Ioniq 6 is an electric sedan that does almost everything right. It's sporty and fun to drive, yet it's also comfortable and has a smooth ride over rough dips and potholes. Inside, you'll find a well-built interior that's easy to use. The Ioniq 6 touts a long EPA-estimated range of up to 342 miles. It's also one of the quickest-charging EVs on the market when using a powerful fast-charging machine. The electric Hyundai's drawbacks are mostly minor, with one big exception. Its styling isn't for everyone and attracts attention for good and bad reasons. However, the upcoming 2026 model has updated styling that's easier on the eyes. Ioniq 6 starting price: $39,045 Honda Ridgeline The Ridgeline could be an ideal truck for you depending on your priorities. If you plan on frequently towing heavy loads and tackling serious off-road trails, then other midsize trucks like the Ford Ranger would be a better fit. But if not, you should consider the Ridgeline. It's more comfortable, has more passenger room and handles better than its rivals. The Ridgeline's towing capacity is certainly good enough for most uses, such as pulling a small camper trailer or toy hauler. It also has clever features like a lockable in-bed trunk and a tailgate that folds down or swings to the side. Its bed is large enough for 4-foot-wide plywood sheets without resting them on the wheelwells. Ridgeline starting price: $41,600 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Mitsubishi doesn't sell as many vehicles as giant brands like Chevrolet or Toyota. But the Outlander PHEV is surprisingly capable and versatile. It's a plug-in hybrid SUV that offers three rows of seating and standard all-wheel drive. If you charge regularly, trips to the gas station will be rare thanks to the Outlander PHEV's lengthy 38-mile electric range. When the battery runs low, you'll get a respectable 26 mpg combined. With the third row folded down, the Outlander PHEV offers lots of cargo space. When it's up, you'll have room for seven passengers, but the third row is only large enough for kids. Its starting price isn't low because it's a plug-in hybrid, but the Mitsubishi comes well equipped, and the top SEL trim level is quite luxurious. 2025 Outlander PHEV starting price: $42,040 Toyota Crown The Crown is a relatively new Toyota that turns heads with its distinctive design. Its styling is similar to a sedan's, but the Crown has a raised ride height that's more like a crossover SUV's. Oh, and it's a hybrid too. The base engine is a fuel sipper that gets an EPA-estimated 41 mpg combined. The optional Hybrid Max engine produces an impressive 340 horsepower for quick acceleration, but fuel economy dips to 30 mpg combined. Inside, the Crown has a pleasing interior with large display screens, spacious seating and a comfortable ride. But all this comes at a cost. The Crown is pricey for a non-luxury hybrid sedan, especially the top Platinum trim that has the Hybrid Max engine. 2025 Crown starting price: $42,575 Genesis G90 The G90 has everything you want in a large, lavish sedan except for brand cachet. Genesis is still relatively new in the luxury world, but its vehicles, especially the flagship G90, shouldn't be overlooked. This South Korean sedan touts style, power, exceptional comfort, and an opulent cabin with superb fit and finish. Some rivals offer the same but require an arm and a leg for payment. And you're mistaken if you think the G90 skimps on features. The top 3.5T E-Supercharger version doesn't offer any optional features because it comes equipped with many features, including many that usually cost thousands more than they would on a luxury rival. The most notable ones include front and rear massaging seats, a 26-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, a massive package of advanced driver aids, and an air suspension that scans the road ahead so it can adjust to road imperfections. Starting price: $91,050 Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Edmunds says You'll be bucking the trend by purchasing one of these hidden gems. And because they're all highly rated by Edmunds, you'll also own a top-notch vehicle that could provide a rewarding experience. ____ This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Michael Cantu is a contributor at Edmunds.
Winnipeg Free Press
28-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Edmunds recommends these under-$40,000 SUVs for new parents
As if the impending arrival of your first child isn't stressful enough, you're undoubtedly shopping for a seemingly endless list of baby gear. Cribs, strollers, bottle warmers, sound machines and whatever the heck a MamaRoo is. You'll likely get most of that stuff from a baby registry. But the biggest baby gear item requires a more significant cash outlay: a new vehicle for your growing family. We can't help you pay for that, but we can point you toward five great SUVs of different sizes that all start for under $40,000. Edmunds' car experts focused on three qualities: 1) lots of space between the first and second-row seatbacks for bulky rear-facing infant safety seats; 2) big rear door openings to make it easy to get your newborn in and out; and 3) a roomy cargo area for all of your baby gear. The pricing below includes destination fees. 2025 Volkswagen Taos Subcompact SUVs are not usually top choices for young families because of their limited space for cargo and child safety seats. The Volkswagen Taos is an exception. It's one of the roomiest models in its class and even rivals a Mazda CX-5 for all-around baby-toting usefulness. Got a rear-facing infant seat, or even a convertible seat, combined with a stroller and a travel crib? No problem — they'll all likely fit without having to slide the front seats far forward. The 2025 Taos also receives some welcome improvements such as an updated interior with a bigger center touchscreen and a more powerful engine that gets up to an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined. 2025 Taos starting price: $26,420 2025 Kia Niro The Niro is available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicle. The hybrid comes oh-so-close to matching the Toyota Prius' fuel economy by getting up to an EPA-estimated 53 mpg combined. It also costs less than the Prius and has a more spacious back seat. The cargo area is nice-sized too. There are a lot of hybrid-powered SUVs available and the Niro is one of the least expensive. The plug-in version and the Niro Electric are considerably more expensive than the regular Niro hybrid, but otherwise they share the same family-friendly utility. 2025 Niro starting price: $28,385 2025 Honda CR-V The CR-V has long been a go-to choice for parents and rightfully so. It's an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick. It has a vast back seat, so you won't likely have to move the front seats up to accommodate the infant car seat in any of the rear positions. The CR-V's rear door openings are huge, and cargo space is among the roomiest you'll find for a compact SUV. The entry-level versions of the CR-V come with a 190-horsepower engine, while the more expensive trims have a 204-horsepower hybrid powertrain that gets up to an EPA-estimated 40 mpg combined. 2025 CR-V starting price: $31,495 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV The Equinox EV is Edmunds' top-rated electric SUV under $40,000. It has loads of space between its first and second seating rows for fitting a rear-facing child seat. The cargo area is also of a decent size, though ultimately you'll find more in the CR-V and other compact SUVs. Its electric vehicle credentials are also excellent. It traveled 356 miles on a full charge in the independent Edmunds EV Range Test and has enough power to zip around town without issue. Basically, the Equinox EV is a great family-friendly SUV, and a great EV, at a reasonable price. 2025 Equinox EV starting price: $34,995 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe The Santa Fe is the most expensive vehicle on our list, but it is a great choice if you foresee multiple children and want to get a head start with a slightly bigger vehicle. It has three rows of seating. That's good for future-proofing and just generally handy for those times when you're going out to dinner with the grandparents and want to take just one vehicle. The Santa Fe isn't quite as large as Hyundai's Palisade, but it's roomy enough for new families and is less expensive. It has also received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award for crash test results and is available with a hybrid powertrain that gets up to 36 mpg. 2025 Santa Fe starting price: $35,775 Edmunds says These are great SUVs to start your search with. Make sure to bring along your car seat and any other baby gear on a test drive to know for sure what will work for you. _____ This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. James Riswick is a contributor at Edmunds.
National Post
23-05-2025
- National Post
Senior Living: An auto biography
Let me introduce myself. I am a car and my family name is Buick. My given name is Allure which I really like. I am a member of the General Motors family and my owner calls me Maximilian. That is because that's what she called all her transport vehicles. In fact her first Maximilian was her bicycle in Hungary. The rest were new cars, all members of the General Motors family except the first one, a used car whose odometer was reset and that emitted smoke front and back. Article content Article content Article content My owner's name is Alice and we have been together for over 18 years, so you can see I am quite a mature car. She picked me up brand new at Gravel Auto on Nun's Island. I am a handsome car, even if I say so. My exterior colour is a subdued beige and so is the interior. I can seat four to five people comfortably and am a bit too big for my single owner but she likes it that way. Article content I am writing my memoirs now because my stay with Alice is ending and I don't want to forget our good times together. Article content Alice and I had some nice trips together and I got to know Montreal and its environs. A favourite was a trip to the Westmount Lookout with a great view of the city. She also likes historic places and many rides took us to Old Montreal and the Notre-Dame-De-Bon-Secours chapel. I must say I had quite a time navigating the narrow streets of Old Montreal but I didn't mind. It was so interesting. We also went several times to the Maison Saint-Gabriel, a lovely old house that dates back to the first settlers of Ville-Marie, as Montreal was then called. We also crossed Mount Royal and I enjoyed the scenery on both sides of the road. Article content Article content But Alice also drove me farther afield. We visited her friends on the West Island and crossed the St Lawrence River to the South Shore. Other trips took us to the Eastern Townships and the Laurentians where I enjoyed the scenery, particularly the fall colours. Article content I also got to know some of Alice's family and friends when they were passengers In the car. I picked up some Hungarian, which is Alice's native language but it is a difficult language to learn. Article content Alice is a careful driver — still we had some run-ins with the law and had fines to pay. One-time she did not stop for a school bus on the other side of the street and was fined. At other times we were rescued by the CAA in difficult situations. I am glad she kept up her membership. Article content Alice has taken good care of me. Twice a year we visited Emilio and Adriano in their garage. They checked me, fixed what needed fixing, changed tires and off we drove. Another place we visited was the car wash where Reza and the boys made me look my best inside and outside.
