Nissan Kicks vs Mazda CX-3 Comparison: Check Price, Mileage, Features, Specs, Safety Differences

Key Highlights

• Nissan Kicks & Mazda CX-3 are popular crossovers in the UAE
• Both cars offer strong build quality & powerful performance
• Learn all differences including their price, specs, features, & safety in detail

The SUV car market is uber popular worldwide. A similar trend is also seen in the UAE's car market, where models like the Nissan Kicks & Mazda CX-3 compete head-on to lure customers with their features, performance, & safety assurance. If you are also looking for a used Nissan Kicks in UAE or a used Mazda CX-3 in UAE, make sure to read our detailed comparison of both models below. Learn about the differences between the two crossovers & choose the best-used car in UAE for you.

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Nissan Kicks vs Mazda CX-3: Design, Size, & Features

When choosing a crossover or an urban SUV, its design & size are two important factors that affect its road presence directly. Moreover, features inside a car also indicate the touch of modernity & ease of use. Below is a detailed comparison of the design & features list of both SUVs.

Nissan Kicks

• At 4.38 mt in length, the Nissan Kicks is an overall bigger car. It is wider & taller than the Mazda CX-3 & due to the bigger dimensions, its road presence is also more impressive.
• The Kicks is a crossover as per Nissan & its design language is also identical to the bigger Nissan SUVs like the X Trail. With a large front grille, stretched-out LED headlights, big 17-inch alloy wheels (on top variant), and an upright boot lid, the Kicks looks like a conventional urban SUV.
• Unlike Mazda, the Nissan Kicks comes with an option of dual-tone paint shade with a black contrasting roof & ORVMs. This combination also enhances the outlook of Kicks.
• Some top features of Kicks SUV include LED lights, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless phone connectivity, steering-mounted controls, a 7-inch MID in speed console, push-button start/stop (on top variant), leather steering wheel & seats (top variant), electronic parking brake, auto-hold button for hills, rear AC vents, automatic climate control, 4 driving modes, etc.
• The massive 400L boot space of Nissan Kicks can be increased to more than 1000L with the folding 60:40 ratio rear seats.  

Mazda CX-3

• In size comparison, the CX-3 falls short in front of the Kicks. It is a smaller crossover at 4.3 mts in length. Even its width & height are smaller when compared to the Kicks. However, these dimensions help in the driving experience, more on that below.
• Mazda's designs have been fluent & elegant. This distinct design language is also visible on the CX-3 as it looks sharp & aerodynamic from its design. Due to its dimensions, however, it doesn't feel like a proper SUV, but more like a crossover. The big Mazda chrome grille with horizontal slats and sharp LED projector lights enhances its front fascia. The coupe-like sloping roof is matched with a spoiler and a lifted-up boot design. However, it runs on smaller 16-inch alloy wheel rims in comparison to the Kicks 17-inch alloy wheels.
• The CX-3 offers marginally less boot space of 350L. Hence, it is only suitable for short trips & travel including 4 adults. However, it is also equipped with the 60:40 rear split seats.
• Feature-wise, the Mazda CX-3 is better equipped with equipment like LED projector headlights, LED fog lights, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with built-in navigation support, a navigation button on the center console, electric parking brake, head-up display, steering mounted controls, leather seats & steering wheel, rear AC vents, multi-drive mode selector, etc.  

Design & Features Verdict

Design-wise, the Kicks feels like a bigger SUV due to its big dimensions. However, the CX-3 feels more premium but smaller. In terms of features, both cars are identical but the Mazda has a slight edge over the Kicks with equipment like head-up display, etc.

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Nissan Kicks vs Mazda CX-3: Engine, Mileage, & Specifications

When comparing two popular SUVs, the engine, powertrain, & mileage details are among the most crucial parts of making a decision. With powerful engine options & smooth automatic gearboxes, both of these SUVs offer good performance. Below are the engine & hardware details of these cars.

Nissan Kicks

• The Kicks SUV comes equipped with only 1 engine option i.e. a 1.6L naturally-aspirated petrol. This engine generates a peak power output of 118bhp & 149Nm of peak torque, delivering it via a smooth e-CVT automatic transmission. This engine is capable of delivering 15 km/l mileage as claimed.
• The Kicks SUV can reach a top speed of 180 km/h.
• Nissan offers two different drivetrains with the Kicks SUV. These include a front-wheel-drive as well as an all-wheel-drive with 4 driving modes.
• Kicks is known for its quick performance inside the city. It offers a light steering response at low speeds for easy maneuvers. The suspension on the Kicks is superb as it remains subtle & calm over the undulations & potholes. It might not be a driver's car but it surely is easy & comfortable to drive.
• The lack of a turbo is evident in the performance & quick overtakes on the highway require planning & patience.
• The all-wheel-drive variants offer good drivability over rough roads with rocks & sand, with a confidence-inspiring grip. Similarly, the all-four disc brakes work well on the Kicks SUV, offering a strong bite & confidence to the driver.

Mazda CX-3

• The Mazda CX-3 is a superior vehicle in terms of engine & specifications. It is powered by a 2.0L turbo-petrol engine that generates a peak power output of 148bhp & 192Nm of peak torque. This engine is mated to a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission with intelligent-shift assist.
• Mazda offers the CX-3 with the option of a front-wheel-drive as well as an all-wheel-drive option. It can also do a higher top speed of 190 km/h, as compared to the Kicks. The claimed fuel economy of the CX-3 is 15.3 km/l.
• The smaller dimensions of the CX-3 come in handy while driving it in the city. It is a nimble crossover with a light steering feedback & a great suspension setup. The CX-3 simply glides over the rough roads. Also, the chassis balance of the CX-3 is great & suits an enthusiastic driving style. It offers a responsive steering that you can just point & shoot in any direction & enjoy the curvy roads.
• The multi-drive modes help in pushing the limits of the CX-3 as it comes equipped with a dedicated Sports mode as well.
• The brakes are also supportive, offering a strong bite. The braking performance of the CX-3 is better than the Kicks SUV.

Engine, Mileage, Specifications - Verdict

In terms of engine performance, it is the Mazda CX-3 that offers a quick performance. It has a bigger & powerful engine that is mated to a quick gearbox for faster acceleration. However, the Nissan Kicks engine is more reliable & fuel-efficient, offering an identical performance. Also, the AWD Kicks perform well on the off-road sections.

Also Read: Top 5 Used Nissan Cars In UAE To Look Out For

Nissan Kicks vs Mazda CX-3: Safety & Price

Last but not least, the safety of a vehicle is another prime factor when choosing a new car. In terms of build quality, the car you plan to buy should have strong chassis strength, and it should offer maximum features for passenger safety. In terms of safety, both of these cars come equipped with the option of autonomous assist features. Read the details along with their variants & price below.

Nissan Kicks

• The Kicks is a globally renowned product in terms of offering a safe cabin. It has scored a 5-star rating in the GNCAP crash tests as well.
• Kicks in the UAE is offered with multiple safety equipment, starting with the standard dual airbags (front), ABS, EBD, & brake assist.
• The top variant of Kicks is equipped with: rear parking sensors & a camera with 360-degree around-view monitoring, cruise control, vehicle dynamic control, forward collision warning, auto emergency brakes, blind spot detection & warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, 6 airbags, etc.

The Nissan Kicks is sold in 4 variants in the UAE with their price as follows:

Mazda CX-3

• The Mazda CX-3 is also a global product that is known for its sturdy chassis & strong build quality. Its old-gen was awarded a 4-star rating in the GNCAP crash tests while the latest model has scored a 5-star rating in the ANCAP crash tests.
• The Mazda CX-3 in the UAE comes equipped with the basic standard features on the base model, which include - dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, & vehicle stability control.
• The top variant of the CX-3 is equipped with the latest safety features like rear parking sensors & camera, head-up display, cruise control, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring & detection, lane change assist, front collision avoidance assist, auto emergency stop, traction control, tyre pressure monitoring system, 6 airbags, etc.

Mazda sells the CX-3 in 4 variants in the UAE's car market. The prices of these versions are as follows:

*All the prices mentioned in this blog are without VAT

Our Verdict

A comparison always shortens down to a final verdict & we've one for you. If you are looking for a practical, reliable, & friendly SUV that offers you space, comfort, & fuel economy, go for the Nissan Kicks. But, if your requirement is limited to an enthusiastic driving point of view, then the Mazda CX-3 makes a lot more sense. However, the practicality factor says that the Kicks is a no-brainer. Maybe that's why it is so popular in the used Nissan cars in the UAE. In case, if you like the Mazda brand, we have multiple used Mazda cars in UAE available with us along with used Mazda CX-3 cars. Our used cars offer the best quality by passing 150 plus standard checkpoints.