Is the Nissan Kicks more reliable than the Volvo XC60?

Based on our data, the Nissan Kicks is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Nissan Kicks or the Volvo XC60?

The Volvo XC60 has more recalls (42) compared to the Nissan Kicks (10). 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 Nissan Kicks or the Volvo XC60?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo XC60 has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Nissan Kicks or Volvo XC60 safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Volvo XC60 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.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Nissan Kicks vs Volvo XC60: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Nissan Kicks

Good

Volvo XC60

Good

Choosing between the Nissan Kicks and the Volvo XC60? 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 Nissan Kicks currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Nissan Kicks and Volvo XC60 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Volvo XC60 is in its second generation, which began in 2017 and received facelifts in 2021 and 2025. This indicates that the XC60 is mature in its current cycle, typically suggesting that any initial issues with the platform have been resolved, contributing to its reliability. Meanwhile, the Nissan Kicks recently entered its second generation in 2025. Being early in its generation cycle, the Kicks might still be addressing first-year issues common to new platforms. Buyers seeking reliability might find the well-established XC60 appealing, while the Kicks may require a bit more scrutiny as it settles into its new design.

Verdict

The Nissan Kicks is more reliable than the Volvo XC60, scoring 78/100 vs 74/100.

The Volvo XC60 and Nissan Kicks both fall within the compact SUV segment, but the Kicks edges out in reliability with a score of 78/100 compared to the XC60's 74/100. The Kicks also has a significantly lower recall history, with only 10 recalls over nine years, while the XC60 has experienced 42 recalls over eight years. Although the XC60 boasts a lower owner complaint rate of 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus the Kicks' 8.3, the higher repair cost estimate of $746 annually for the XC60 may influence potential buyers. Both vehicles share common issues with their electrical systems and service brakes, but the Kicks' overall reliability and recall performance make it a more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Nissan Kicks has 32 fewer total recalls
2Nissan Kicks scores 4 points higher in reliability
3Volvo XC60 has 3.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Nissan Kicks

—

2Volvo XC60

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Nissan Kicks vs Volvo XC60: Which Is More Reliable?

Nissan Kicks vs Volvo XC60 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Nissan Kicks	Volvo XC60
Reliability Score	78/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	8
Total Recalls	10	42
Complaints per 10k Sold	8.3	5.3
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	6	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Kicks and Volvo XC60?

The Volvo XC60 and Nissan Kicks exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the XC60 showing a higher concentration of complaints in the electrical system, accounting for 81 issues, including 5 linked to crashes. In contrast, the Nissan Kicks has a broader distribution of issues, most notably within the electrical system (96 complaints) and the unknown or other category (63 complaints), though it also has a significant number of power train (44 complaints) and service brakes issues (35 complaints), with a combined total of 5 crash-linked incidents. The XC60's problems are more concentrated in fewer categories, while the Kicks displays a wider range of issues, particularly affecting critical systems like power train and forward collision avoidance. Overall, both vehicles exhibit concerns in the electrical system, but the Kicks presents a more varied problem set, including more severe issues related to safety components.

Nissan Kicks vs Volvo XC60 common problem areas comparison
Component	Nissan Kicks	Volvo XC60
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.8Low	1.8Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.2Low	0.5Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.7Very Low	0.4Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.8Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.5Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE	0.5Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	0.1Very Low	—None
WHEELS	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Nissan Kicks or Volvo XC60?

The Volvo XC60 has an annual repair cost of $746, with owners visiting the repair shop about once every two years, and a 7% risk of major repairs. While specific costs for the Nissan Kicks are unavailable, industry estimates suggest that smaller, less complex vehicles like the Kicks generally incur lower repair costs and have less frequent repair visits compared to luxury SUVs like the XC60. For cost-conscious buyers, the Nissan Kicks is likely the better value. It typically benefits from lower repair costs and reduced risk of significant repairs, making it a more economical choice over a five-year period compared to the more maintenance-intensive Volvo XC60.

How Does Nissan Kicks vs Volvo XC60 Reliability Compare by Year?

Nissan Kicks vs Volvo XC60 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Nissan Kicks	Volvo XC60	Edge
2025	78/1003R / 24C	76/1004R / 22C	Nissan Kicks
2023	80/1001R / 23C	74/1005R / 40C	Nissan Kicks
2022	82/1000R / 19C	72/1006R / 60C	Nissan Kicks
2021	78/1002R / 66C	75/1005R / 31C	Nissan Kicks
2020	78/1000R / 85C	75/1006R / 17C	Nissan Kicks
2019	73/1001R / 123C	72/1008R / 33C	Nissan Kicks
2018	71/1001R / 78C	74/1005R / 35C	Volvo XC60
2026(predicted)	80/100(predicted)	74/100(predicted)	Nissan Kicks

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Nissan Kicks scored 82/100 and the 2025 Volvo XC60 scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Nissan Kicks vs the Volvo XC60?

If you prioritize a higher reliability score and fewer recalls, the Nissan Kicks may be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 78/100 and only 10 total recalls, it offers peace of mind in terms of dependability. However, be aware of a slightly higher rate of owner complaints at 8.3 per 10,000 sold, and consider that specific repair costs and frequencies are not available. On the other hand, if you are looking for a model with a lower annual repair cost, the Volvo XC60 could be more appealing. It has an estimated annual repair cost of $746 and a repair frequency of 0.5 times per year. Despite a slightly lower reliability score of 74/100, the XC60 comes with a major repair risk of only 7%. If managing repair expenses is a priority, this model might suit your needs despite its 42 total recalls.

Nissan Kicks vs Volvo XC60: Common Questions

Is the Nissan Kicks more reliable than the Volvo XC60?: Based on our data, the Nissan Kicks is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Nissan Kicks or the Volvo XC60?: The Volvo XC60 has more recalls (42) compared to the Nissan Kicks (10). 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 Nissan Kicks or the Volvo XC60?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo XC60 has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 sold versus 8.3 for the Nissan Kicks. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Nissan Kicks or Volvo XC60 safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Volvo XC60 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.

More Nissan Kicks comparisons

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More Volvo XC60 comparisons

Volvo XC60 vs Audi Q3 reliability Volvo XC60 vs BMW X1 reliability Volvo XC60 reliability by year Volvo XC60 years to avoid

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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