In 2016, during an interview with Curtis, one of the Urban Kiz founders. He states distinctive features of Urban Kiz:

1. In Urban Kiz, partners mainly connect using their arms and hands.

2. Leading is typically done with both of the lead's hands.

3. Unlike Kizomba, where partners are connected using their upper body, Urban Kiz dancers have a gap between them.

4. Urban Kiz involves straight-line movements, with movements following straight paths, unlike the more circular movements in Kizomba. Dance moves like the vírgula and the estrela allow Kizomba to easily be danced in a circular motion. 

5. In Kizomba, dancers usually have bent knees. The slight bend in the knee helps Kizomba dancers add fluidity to their dance and aids in adding ginga to their movements; while in Urban Kiz, the legs are straight, and the dance involves more body tension to change directions, syncopate, execute taps, etc., and has an overall different energy.

In addition to these differences, Urban Kiz has also included many moves and inspiration from other dances, like Hip Hop, Tango, Semba, Brazilian Zouk, Salsa, Bachata, etc.