The Kicks SR offers an optional front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The ADX doesn't offer front seat center airbags.

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

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Kicks' warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 15th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 34 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Acura.

On the EPA test cycle the Kicks gets better mileage than the ADX:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Kicks uses regular unleaded gasoline. The ADX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Kicks higher (7 out of 10) than the Acura ADX (5). This means the Kicks produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ADX every 15,000 miles.

The Kicks SR AWD handles at .84 G's, while the ADX A-Spec AWD pulls only .82 G's of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Kicks' turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the ADX's (34.8 feet vs. 37 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Kicks has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the ADX (8.4 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Kicks to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Nissan Kicks may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 pounds less than the Acura ADX.

The Kicks is 1 foot, 1.9 inches shorter than the ADX, making the Kicks easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Kicks SR AWD is quieter than the ADX A-Spec AWD (77 vs. 78 dB).

The Kicks has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more rear headroom and 2.7 inches more rear hip room than the ADX.

The Kicks has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the ADX with its rear seat up (30 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The Kicks has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the ADX with its rear seat folded (60 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

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

The Kicks' 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 ADX's standard passenger windows don't open or close automatically. With the ADX A-Spec's power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

Compared to the Acura ADX, the Nissan Kicks eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to the Acura ADX's traditional radio, the Nissan Kicks 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.

The Nissan Kicks outsold the Acura ADX by over five to one during 2025.