Compare the2025 Buick EnvistaVS 2025 Nissan Kicks Play

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

Safety

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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 Envista 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.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Envista 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 Buick Envista 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 Envista has standard OnStar®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, 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 Envista and the Kicks Play have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Envista is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Envista	Kicks Play
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	183	191
Neck Injury Risk	28.8%	32%
Neck Stress	210 lbs.	374 lbs.
Neck Compression	20 lbs.	27 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	93/94 lbs.	343/312 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	281	326
Neck Injury Risk	39.7%	79%
Neck Stress	220 lbs.	392 lbs.
Neck Compression	97 lbs.	138 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	196/237 lbs.	370/209 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, results indicate that the Buick Envista is safer than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Envista	Kicks Play
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	405 lbs.	517 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Envista’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Kicks Play’s (6 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Envista has a standard 130-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 Envista has a standard 760-amp battery. The Kicks Play’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 1 place higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Envista’s 1.2 turbo 3-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (137 vs. 122) and 48 lbs.-ft. more torque (162 vs. 114) than the Kicks Play’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Buick Envista is faster than the Nissan Kicks Play:

	Envista	Kicks Play
Zero to 30 MPH	3.3 sec	4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9 sec	10.5 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.4 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	17 sec	18.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84 MPH	79 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Envista’s 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 Envista has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kicks Play (13.2 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Envista 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 Envista’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kicks Play:

	Envista	Kicks Play
Front Rotors	11.8 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.3 inches	8” drums
Opt Rear Rotors		11 inches

The Buick Envista 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 Envista stops much shorter than the Kicks Play:

	Envista	Kicks Play
70 to 0 MPH	183 feet	190 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	141 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Envista has larger standard tires than the Kicks Play (225/60R17 vs. 205/60R16). The Envista’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kicks Play (245/45R19 vs. 205/60R16).

The Envista’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 Envista Preferred has standard 17-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Kicks Play. The Envista offers optional 19-inch wheels.

The Buick Envista’s 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.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Envista’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Kicks Play (106 inches vs. 103.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Envista is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Kicks Play.

The Envista Sport Touring handles at .82 G’s, while the Kicks Play pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Envista Sport Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Kicks Play (27.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 29.2 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Envista uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Envista uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Envista has 4.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kicks Play (97.5 vs. 92.6).

The Envista has 1.4 inches more front hip room, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 5.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kicks Play.

Cargo Capacity

The Envista has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kicks Play with its rear seat folded (42 vs. 32.3 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Envista offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Envista can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Envista can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Kicks Play can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 2% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

Ergonomics

The Envista has a standard 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 Envista’s 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 Envista’s 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 Envista and the Kicks Play have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Envista 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 Envista’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Kicks Play’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Envista’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Envista’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kicks Play’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Envista’s 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.

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

The Envista Avenir’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Kicks Play offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Envista offers optional heated front seats, which keep the driver and front passenger extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated seats aren’t available in the Kicks Play.

On extremely cold winter days, the Envista’s optional 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 Envista Avenir 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 Envista’s standard 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 Envista 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 Envista 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.

Compared to the Nissan Kicks Play’s traditional radio, the Buick Envista 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 Buick Envista offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Kicks Play doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Buick Envista and the Nissan Kicks Play, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Envista third among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Kicks Play isn’t in the top three.

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