Buick Envista vs. Nissan Kicks: Which Small SUV Fits You?
The Buick Envista and the Nissan Kicks start within about $2,000 of each other, but they are built for different drivers. The Kicks gives you available all-wheel drive, more cargo space and blind-spot warning as standard. The Envista gives you a turbocharged engine with more torque, a conventional six-speed automatic instead of a CVT, and noticeably more rear-seat legroom in a longer, lower body. If you are shopping both in Monroe, the right answer depends on which of those lists matters more to you.
We sell the Envista at Jim Taylor Buick GMC, so we have an obvious side in this. That is exactly why we built this comparison from the manufacturers’ own published numbers and why we will tell you where the Kicks comes out ahead. A comparison that pretends the other vehicle has no strengths is not worth your time.
Everything below compares the 2026 Buick Envista, which is what is on our lot today, with the 2027 Nissan Kicks, the newest Kicks Nissan has announced. Buick has not yet published 2027 Envista pricing.
Envista vs. Kicks at a glance
| Spec | 2026 Buick Envista | 2027 Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $24,700 (Preferred) | $22,790 (S FWD) |
| Destination charge | $1,795 | $1,575 |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo 3-cylinder | 2.0L 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower / torque | 137 hp / 162 lb-ft | 141 hp / 140 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | CVT (Xtronic) |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive only | FWD or Intelligent AWD |
| EPA mpg (city/hwy) | 28 / 32 | 28 / 35 FWD, 27 / 34 AWD* |
| Cargo, seats up / folded | 20.7 / 42.0 cu ft | 30.0 / 60.0 cu ft FWD, 23.9 / 50.1 AWD |
| Rear legroom | 38.7 in | 34.5 in |
| Touchscreen | 11-inch, standard | 12.3-inch, standard |
| Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts | Available by package | Standard |
Prices are manufacturer’s suggested retail prices excluding tax, title, license and options; dealer prices vary. *Kicks fuel economy is the EPA estimate Nissan published for the 2026 model. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
Where the Nissan Kicks comes out ahead
All-wheel drive. The Envista is front-wheel drive only. Every Kicks trim can be ordered with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and the new Rock Creek version comes with it standard along with an off-road drive mode. For most driving around Monroe and West Monroe that difference rarely comes up, since snow and ice are uncommon here and good tires do most of the work in heavy rain. If you regularly drive gravel roads, a hunting camp lane or a muddy field to get to a ballgame, it is a real reason to lean toward the Kicks.
Cargo space. With the rear seats up, a front-drive Kicks holds 30.0 cubic feet behind the back seat against the Envista’s 20.7. Fold the seats and it is 60.0 against 42.0. Choosing all-wheel drive shrinks the Kicks to 23.9 and 50.1, which is still more than the Envista.
Standard safety equipment at the base price. Nissan Safety Shield 360 is standard on every Kicks and includes blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. On the Envista those two features come in an available package rather than as standard.
A lower starting price. The cheapest Kicks starts $1,910 below the cheapest Envista before destination. That gap is real, but it narrows to $210 when you line up the Envista Preferred against the Kicks SV, which is the trim that adds the conveniences many shoppers want, such as remote start and wireless phone charging.
Where the Buick Envista comes out ahead
Torque and transmission. The Envista’s turbocharged engine makes 162 lb-ft of torque against the Kicks’ 140, and it sends that power through a conventional six-speed automatic. The Kicks uses a continuously variable transmission. Some drivers do not notice the difference. Others strongly prefer how a geared automatic feels when merging onto I-20 or passing on US-165. That is something you can only settle on a test drive, and we would rather you drive both than take our word for it.
Rear-seat room. The Envista gives rear passengers 38.7 inches of legroom against 34.5 in the Kicks. If adults or growing teenagers ride in the back, or you install a rear-facing car seat behind a tall driver, those four inches matter.
Size and design. At 182.6 inches long, the Envista is roughly ten inches longer than the Kicks, with a lower, coupe-like roofline. It reads as a step up in class, which is a big part of why people shop it.
The Avenir option. If you want a small SUV that feels finished rather than basic, the Envista Avenir adds 19-inch wheels, perforated leather-appointed front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power liftgate and wireless charging. The Kicks lineup tops out with the sporty SR and the outdoorsy Rock Creek rather than a trim aimed at comfort and finish.
Which trims line up against each other?
Comparing base model to base model is the easiest way to get a misleading answer. Here is how the trims pair up on price.
| Buick Envista | Starting MSRP | Closest Nissan Kicks | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred | $24,700 | SV FWD | $24,490 |
| Sport Touring | $26,500 | SR FWD / SV AWD | $26,990 / $26,490 |
| Avenir | $29,500 | SR AWD / Rock Creek AWD | $28,790 / $28,840 |
Once you are at matching price points, the question is no longer which one is cheaper. It is whether you would rather spend the money on all-wheel drive and cargo room or on torque, rear legroom and a more upscale cabin. For the dollar-by-dollar version, including fuel and what a price gap means for your monthly payment, read our Envista vs. Kicks cost-to-own breakdown.
Technology and safety
Both vehicles come standard with a large touchscreen and smartphone integration. The Kicks screen is bigger at 12.3 inches; the Envista pairs an 11-inch touchscreen with an 8-inch driver information display.
On safety, every Envista includes Buick Driver Confidence: Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Forward Collision Alert, a Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams. Blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control are available through packages. Every Kicks includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and high beam assist. The Kicks SR adds ProPILOT Assist, Nissan’s lane-centering cruise system, and a surround-view camera.
If blind-spot monitoring is a must-have for you, ask us to show you Envistas equipped with it rather than assuming every one on the lot has it.
Who should buy which?
The Nissan Kicks is probably the better fit if you need all-wheel drive, you regularly haul bulky gear, or you want the most standard safety equipment for the least money.
The Buick Envista is probably the better fit if you carry adults in the back seat, you prefer the feel of a geared automatic and turbo torque, or you want a small SUV that looks and feels a class above its price.
If you already drive a Kicks and you are thinking about the move, we put together a separate guide on trading a Nissan Kicks for a Buick Envista in Monroe.
Test-drive the Envista at Jim Taylor Buick GMC
Jim Taylor Buick GMC is at 500 N 18th St in Monroe, and we sell and service the Envista for drivers across Ouachita Parish and Northeast Louisiana. Drive an Envista with us, then drive a Kicks. If the Kicks wins, you will have made that choice with real information.
See Buick Envista inventory at Jim Taylor Buick GMC · 2026 Buick Envista overview · Value your trade
Frequently asked questions
Is the Buick Envista bigger than the Nissan Kicks?
It is longer and has more rear legroom, but less cargo space. The Envista is 182.6 inches long with 38.7 inches of rear legroom and 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. The front-drive 2027 Kicks has 34.5 inches of rear legroom and 30.0 cubic feet behind the rear seat.
Does the Buick Envista come with all-wheel drive?
No. Every Envista trim is front-wheel drive. The Nissan Kicks offers Intelligent All-Wheel Drive on every trim, and it is standard on the Kicks Rock Creek.
Which gets better gas mileage, the Envista or the Kicks?
They are close. The Envista is EPA-rated at 28 mpg city and 32 highway. Nissan published EPA estimates of 28 city and 35 highway for the front-drive 2026 Kicks and 27 city and 34 highway with all-wheel drive. The Kicks has the edge on the highway.
Does the Nissan Kicks have a CVT?
Yes. The 2027 Kicks uses Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission. The Buick Envista uses a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.
Is the Envista more powerful than the Kicks?
The Envista has more torque, 162 lb-ft against 140 lb-ft, from its turbocharged 1.2-liter engine. The Kicks has slightly more horsepower, 141 against 137, from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder.
Which is cheaper, the Buick Envista or the Nissan Kicks?
The Kicks starts lower, at $22,790 MSRP for the 2027 Kicks S against $24,700 for the 2026 Envista Preferred, before destination. At matching equipment levels the gap is small: the Kicks SV starts at $24,490.
Where can I test-drive a Buick Envista near Monroe, LA?
Jim Taylor Buick GMC at 500 N 18th St in Monroe sells and services the Buick Envista. You can browse current Envista inventory online and schedule a test drive with the dealership.
Written by Sarah Pesek, Director of Sales and Marketing at Jim Taylor Auto Group. Sarah oversees marketing across Jim Taylor Chevrolet in Rayville, Jim Taylor Buick GMC in Monroe and Jim Taylor Ford in Ruston, and chairs the NADA INT1 20 Group for dealership marketing leaders.
Sources
- Buick: 2026 Envista pricing, features and EPA estimates
- Buick: Envista Avenir standard features
- GM Authority: 2026 Envista destination charge (January 2026)
- Nissan: 2027 Kicks press kit (August 13, 2026)
- Nissan: 2026 Kicks pricing and EPA estimates
- EPA fuel economy ratings at FuelEconomy.gov
Specifications and prices reflect manufacturer information published as of October 2026 and can change. Confirm equipment on any specific vehicle before you buy.