Compare the2026 Jeep CompassVS 2025 Nissan Kicks Play

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

Safety

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The Compass’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Compass 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.

The Compass has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Jeep Compass 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 Compass has 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 Compass Trailhawk’s standard Hill-descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer Hill-descent Control.

The Jeep Compass 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 Compass Latitude/Trailhawk/Limited offers an optional Surround 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 Compass has standard SiriusXM Guardian, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to 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 Compass and the Kicks Play have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The Jeep Compass weighs 869 to 935 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 Jeep Compass is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Compass	Kicks Play
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	172	326
Neck Injury Risk	36%	79%
Neck Stress	235 lbs.	392 lbs.
Neck Compression	92 lbs.	138 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Jeep Compass is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Compass	Kicks Play
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	139
Chest Movement	.8 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	134 lbs.	172 lbs.
Hip Force	335 lbs.	347 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	101	318
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches

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

Warranty

There are over 2 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Compass’ warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Compass has a standard 180-amp alternator. The Kicks Play’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Compass has a standard 850-amp battery. The Kicks Play’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Compass’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 78 more horsepower (200 vs. 122) and 107 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Compass is faster than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Compass	Kicks Play
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	10.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	18 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88.6 MPH	77.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Compass’ 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 Compass has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (13.5 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Compass has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

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

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

The Jeep Compass 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 Compass stops shorter than the Kicks Play:

	Compass	Kicks Play
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Compass has larger standard tires than the Kicks Play (215/65R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Compass Limited’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks Play (235/45R19 vs. 205/60R16).

The Compass Limited’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 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 Compass has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Kicks Play. The Compass Limited offers optional 19-inch wheels.

The Jeep Compass’ 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.

The Compass Trailhawk has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Kicks Play; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Jeep Compass 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 Compass has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Kicks Play’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

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

The Compass’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Compass Latitude executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Kicks Play (28.4 seconds vs. 29.2 seconds).

For greater off-road capability the Compass has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kicks Play (8.1 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Compass to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Compass Trailhawk’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Kicks Play (8.6 vs. 7 inches).

Passenger Space

The Compass has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks Play (99.6 vs. 92.6).

The Compass has 3.2 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, 4.8 inches more rear legroom, .1 inches more rear hip room and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks Play.

Cargo Capacity

The Compass has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kicks Play with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 25.3 cubic feet). The Compass has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks Play with its rear seat folded (59.8 vs. 32.3 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Compass’ power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Compass Trailhawk with Towing Package offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Kicks Play has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Damping on the Compass uses the Electronic 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 Compass offers a 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.

The Compass’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Kicks Play has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The Compass’ 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 Compass and the Kicks Play have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Compass 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 Compass’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kicks Play’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Compass’ standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Kicks Play’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Compass’ optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Compass’ 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 help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Compass has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

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

The Compass has standard heated front and second row seats (second row heated seats optional on Trailhawk/Limited) extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Kicks Play.

On extremely cold winter days, the Compass’ standard 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 Compass 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 Compass’ optional 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 Compass’ optional 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 Compass has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Compass offers an optional Adaptive 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 Compass Trailhawk/Limited. The Compass’ 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 optional voice command, the Compass Limited/Trailhawk offers the driver hands free control of the radio, climate controls 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 Jeep Compass 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 Jeep Compass offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Compass offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

The Jeep Compass outsold the Nissan Kicks Play by 47% during 2024.

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