Nissan Kicks vs Toyota GR 86: Specs Compared
Also searched as Toyota GR 86 vs Nissan Kicks specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Nissan Kicks is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 33 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Toyota GR 86, a 8 mpg advantage and costs about $1,200 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Nissan Kicks leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Nissan Kicks | Toyota GR 86 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 33 mpg ✓ | 25 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 31 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 36 mpg ✓ | 31 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,850 ✓ | $3,050 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 268 g/mi ✓ | 360 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI, 1.6 | SIDI & PFI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Automatic (S6), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular | Premium |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars | Minicompact Cars |
| Years covered | 2018–2026 | 2022–2025 |
| Configurations on record | 12 | 8 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Nissan Kicks vs Toyota GR 86 dimensions and size
The Nissan Kicks is 4.3 inches longer than the Toyota GR 86 on a wheelbase 3.1 inches longer, and 357.2 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Nissan Kicks (2026) | Toyota GR 86 (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 172 in | 167.7 in | 4.3 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 70.9 in | 70.1 in | 0.8 in |
| Height | 64.2 in | 51.6 in | 12.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 in | 101.6 in | 3.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3,175 lbs | 2,818 lbs | 357 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Nissan Kicks vs Toyota GR 86: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Nissan Kicks burns about $1,850 of fuel annually against $3,050 for the Toyota GR 86. That $1,200 yearly gap compounds to roughly $6,000 over five years and $9,600 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City and highway economy: the Nissan Kicks leads in both cycles — 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway against 21 and 31 mpg — so its fuel-efficiency advantage holds whether you commute in traffic or cover long highway miles.
Powertrain choice: the Nissan Kicks is recorded with 2 distinct engine configurations (SIDI, 1.6), the Toyota GR 86 with 1 (SIDI & PFI). Across 12 recorded Nissan Kicks configurations and 8 for the Toyota GR 86, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Nissan Kicks is offered with All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive, the Toyota GR 86 with Rear-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Midsize Cars and Minicompact Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Nissan Kicks emits 268 g/mile of CO2 versus 360 g/mile for the Toyota GR 86. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Kicks vs GR 86: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Nissan Kicks or the Toyota GR 86?
The Nissan Kicks is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 33 mpg combined versus 25 mpg for the Toyota GR 86, a 8 mpg advantage and costs about $1,200 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Nissan Kicks runs about $1,850 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,050 for the Toyota GR 86 — a difference of roughly $1,200 per year.
What engines do the Kicks and GR 86 offer?
Nissan Kicks: SIDI, 1.6. Toyota GR 86: SIDI & PFI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Nissan Kicks as Midsize Cars and the Toyota GR 86 as Minicompact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
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