Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Taos deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Taos’ side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Kicks’ side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.
In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Volkswagen Taos achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Kicks has not been tested.
The Taos has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kicks doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.
When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Taos’ standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The Kicks doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.
Both the Taos and Kicks have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Taos has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Kicks’ Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.
Both the Taos and the Kicks have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Nissan Kicks:
|
|
Taos |
Kicks |
| OVERALL STARS |
4 Stars |
3 Stars |
|
|
Driver |
|
| STARS |
4 Stars |
3 Stars |
| HIC |
285 |
476 |
| Neck Injury Risk |
32% |
43.8% |
| Neck Stress |
413 lbs. |
476 lbs. |
| Neck Compression |
28 lbs. |
76 lbs. |
| Leg Forces (l/r) |
103/74 lbs. |
121/138 lbs. |
|
|
Passenger |
|
| STARS |
4 Stars |
3 Stars |
| HIC |
224 |
338 |
| Chest Compression |
.7 inches |
.7 inches |
| Neck Injury Risk |
45% |
67.5% |
| Neck Stress |
135 lbs. |
253 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Taos is safer than the Nissan Kicks:
|
|
Taos |
Kicks |
|
|
Front Seat |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| HIC |
111 |
124 |
| Chest Movement |
.6 inches |
.7 inches |
| Abdominal Force |
115 lbs. |
126 lbs. |
|
|
Into Pole |
|
| STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
| Spine Acceleration |
46 G’s |
48 G’s |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Taos is .5% to 5.1% less likely to roll over than the Kicks.