Last updated: 2026-03-04
Lexus UX vs Nissan Kicks: Reliability Compared
Lexus UX
Nissan Kicks
Choosing between the Lexus UX and the Nissan Kicks? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus UX currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 78/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Lexus UX and Nissan Kicks Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Lexus UX is more reliable than the Nissan Kicks, scoring 80/100 vs 78/100.
The Lexus UX demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 80/100 compared to the Nissan Kicks' 78/100. The UX has experienced only 2 recalls over 8 years, far fewer than the Kicks' 10 recalls in 9 years. Additionally, the UX has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 1.2 per 10,000 sold versus the Kicks' 8.3. These factors, combined with the absence of common issues in the UX, make it the more reliable choice among compact SUVs.
Key Differences
- 1Lexus UX has 8 fewer total recalls
- 2Lexus UX has 7.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Lexus UX scores 2 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Lexus UX vs Nissan Kicks: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Lexus UX | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 80/100 | 78/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 2 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 1.2 | 8.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 3 (1 tied) | 3 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Lexus UX and Nissan Kicks?
The Nissan Kicks exhibits a broader range of problem categories with a total of 439 complaints, prominently featuring issues in the electrical system (96 complaints, 3 crash-linked) and service brakes (35 complaints, 3 crash-linked), indicating significant reliability concerns in these critical areas. In contrast, the Lexus UX has a minimal complaint profile with only 11 total complaints and no specific problem data available, suggesting a potentially more reliable performance or underreporting. The Kicks also shows notable crash-linked complaints across multiple systems, including power train and steering, which are absent in the Lexus UX data. Overall, the Nissan Kicks appears to struggle more with reliability and safety-related issues compared to the Lexus UX.
| Component | Lexus UX | Nissan Kicks |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | —None | 1.8Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | 1.2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | —None | 0.8Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| ENGINE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Lexus UX vs Nissan Kicks Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Lexus UX | Nissan Kicks | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1001R / 2C | 78/1003R / 24C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2024 | 80/1000R / 1C | 81/1001R / 20C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2023 | 80/1000R / 1C | 80/1001R / 23C | Tie |
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 2C | 82/1000R / 19C | Nissan Kicks |
| 2021 | 80/1000R / 2C | 78/1002R / 66C | Lexus UX |
| 2020 | 84/1000R / 0C | 78/1000R / 85C | Lexus UX |
| 2019 | 77/1001R / 3C | 73/1001R / 123C | Lexus UX |
| 2026(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | 80/100(predicted) | Nissan Kicks |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Lexus UX scored 84/100 and the 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Lexus UX vs the Nissan Kicks?
Lexus UX vs Nissan Kicks: Common Questions
- Is the Lexus UX more reliable than the Nissan Kicks?
- Based on our data, the Lexus UX is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 78/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Lexus UX or the Nissan Kicks?
- The Nissan Kicks has more recalls (10) compared to the Lexus UX (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Lexus UX or the Nissan Kicks?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus UX has a lower complaint rate at 1.2 per 10,000 sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Lexus UX or Nissan Kicks safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Lexus UX has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Nissan Kicks. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Lexus UX comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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