The Nissan Kicks is one of the brand’s best-selling models. Despite entering the final year of production of the first-generation product, the brand’s sales increased by 21% from 2022 to 2023. Nissan is doubling down on its efforts with the all-new Kicks, promising more space, more technology and a bolder overall package. The question is: can it deliver?
To see how the new Kicks performs, we headed to Detroit, Michigan, home of Nissan’s Technical Center. The automaker told us it wants the new car to offer expressive design, advanced technology and a confident driving experience. There’s no doubt that budget subcompact crossovers have lofty goals, but we’re curious to see how they perform in the real world.
Read: 2025 Nissan fights back with tougher looks, more power and all-wheel drive
We spent a little time with the team there to better understand what this new ultra-small segment player is capable of. We then took the new Kicks to the pavement and even some gravel roads for field testing. It turns out that this segment is heating up, and Kicks is a new, compelling option.
Quick facts
More power and more grip
Pop the hood of the new Kicks and you’ll find a very neatly packaged naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. No matter how much you spend, this powertrain is the only one you get in the entire lineup. While enthusiasts may demand more power, the Kicks does offer significantly more performance than the outgoing model, which only has 122 hp (90 kW) and 114 lb-ft (154 Nm) of torque. Also remember, there’s no hybrid here.
The Kicks is a vehicle powered entirely by an internal combustion engine. Nissan says it will get 28 mpg in the city, 35 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined. Adding all-wheel drive shaves an mpg off those numbers. This is another key point worth pointing out. The new Kicks offers all-wheel drive as an option across the range for the first time. This is rare in this segment. The Hyundai Kona also offers this feature, but it costs more and doesn’t offer the same level of fuel economy.
Nissan touts the all-wheel drive in the Kicks as a “new intelligent all-wheel drive” system. It features new software logic and vehicle dynamics control settings to improve traceability on the production line. Simply put, that means it shouldn’t understeer like the Rogue Sport sometimes does.
Nissan also uses the braking power of the inside wheel to help the Kicks around some turns. AWD Kicks models typically operate in front-wheel drive mode for optimal fuel economy, but they can send power to the rear wheels before the front wheels slip. Interestingly, Snow mode in the Kicks continuously applies some torque to the rear wheels and works at all speeds.
Interior adjustments
Photo: Stephen Rivers/Carscoops
Throughout the automotive world, cars are getting bigger and bigger, and Kicks follows suit that way. It’s now 2.8 inches (71 mm) longer, 1.6 inches (41 mm) wider, and 0.8 inches (20 mm) taller than the previous generation. These changes result in more passenger capacity and more cargo space. In fact, it’s clear from first sitting down that this isn’t a car that feels cramped, at least not up front.
At 6’6″ I could fit in the driver’s seat with no problem. Nissan’s famous zero-gravity seats are standard on the Kicks two-row lineup. The only thing I don’t like about them is that they sit too high in the lowest position.
Of course, for drivers who are not as tall as me, this may be Nissan’s way of achieving a “confident driving” feeling. On the plus side, they’re supportive in a way that few other car seats are. Nissan also added thicker carpeting and other insulation to keep the cabin quiet.
The layout is simple and easy to use. There are a few buttons on the steering wheel to control gauge cluster functions, the infotainment system is low and out of the way, and then we get to the first real issue in the Kicks: climate control. That is, they are all touch-sensitive buttons. Whether your input is correct or incorrect, you’ll need to take your eyes off the road and look at the panel to determine.
Thankfully, the rest of the cabin appears to be free of design issues. A physical volume knob and power button are welcome additions, as are the back/skip button and camera button. The infotainment system and dashboard screen are larger than most other vehicles in this segment.
The graphics are bright, the menus intuitive, and responsive. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. Talking about the infotainment system, Nissan also offers a beautiful 10-speaker Bose audio system in this car. Check that box and you’ll even get two speakers in each front headrest. Having recently test driven the Chevrolet Trax, Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30, the Kicks’ sound quality is by far the best.
As for space, the Kicks does offer more space than before, but don’t confuse it with a midsize SUV. Taller adults won’t be very comfortable in the back seat. I couldn’t sit up straight and had to straddle the back of the front seat when I got back there. Still, it easily accommodates most passengers shorter than me. Nissan also offers a version with USB ports for rear passengers. The optional panoramic sunroof is also a nice touch, unique to the Kicks in this trim level.
Behind the second row, owners will find 30 cubic feet of storage space. Put those seats down and the space expands to 60 cubic feet. That’s a lot more than cars like the Mazda CX-30 or Buick Envista.
More: We’re driving the 2025 Nissan Kicks, what do you want to know?
All in all, the cabin is perfectly acceptable. There’s nothing about it that really wows me, but nothing feels too cheap or like a pure cost-cutting measure. The seats are very comfortable, and the infotainment system and other controls are slightly above average for the segment.
Increase impressions
Photo: Stephen Rivers/Carscoops
Aside from feeling like I was sitting too high in the Kicks, this riding experience is about what most of you would expect. Frankly, there’s nothing inspiring about it, but at the same time, it does feel better to drive than the outgoing car. Nissan says the Kicks’ new platform provides better torsional stiffness, lower roll angles and higher lateral g capabilities. After driving around Detroit, these statements feel like no doubt.
The powertrain, meanwhile, is nothing to get excited about. Sure, it does have more power than its predecessor, but it’s also heavier. Depending on trim level and curb weight, the new Kicks’ power-to-weight ratio may be worse, but it’s usually slightly better. The difference is small, and if you’re upgrading from an older Kick, you probably won’t notice the increase in horsepower.
While not in a drag race, we did get a chance to test the Kicks’ 0-60 mph acceleration time, and at first glance, it’s not great. We recorded a time of 11.89 seconds on our first run using a GPS tracker called Dragy. Eventually, we managed to get away from that. Our best time of the day was 9.79 seconds. It’s not what we’d call “brisk,” but frankly, it’s all too common in this segment.
This isn’t meant to be a high-performance machine by any means, and “confident driving” means more than just acceleration. Steering feel is very good. The brakes worked too. Even the CVT transmission is largely unobtrusive.
I especially like that Snow mode works at all speeds because the all-wheel-drive system remains engaged with the power sent to the rear wheels. That might sound like PR talk, but in tight corners it makes the Kicks feel more stable and less prone to understeer. Kicks are also very comfortable. The roads around Detroit aren’t exactly pristine, but I didn’t notice this small SUV being bothered by potholes or cracked pavement at all.
In terms of practicality, it’s worth noting that the Kicks comes standard with a host of driver-assist features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and Automatic rear braking. Those who want it can shell out for Nissan’s ProPilot Assist system, which adds lane centering, intersection assist, blind-spot intervention and more.
Contest
Competition in this segment is fiercer than ever. Nissan employees are targeting at least three major competitors. These include the Chevrolet Trax, Kia Soul and Hyundai Kona. Being the last one to the party, so to speak, allowed Nissan to get to know the other players before launching the new Kicks, and the brand certainly capitalized on that knowledge.
Compared to these three competitors, the Kicks offers a lot of value for money in some areas. It has a larger screen than all but the Kona. It has more driver-assist features than all but the Kona and costs less than the Hyundai in interior comparisons. It’s the only one with features like Bose headrest speakers or a panoramic sunroof.
At the same time, it’s worth noting that there are other factors to consider. For example, if you care about driving dynamics, the Mazda CX-30 is in a completely different league while offering a better interior. If longevity and warranty coverage are important to you, Hyundai and Kia have much more to offer in this area. Other brands like Volkswagen or Buick also offer more luxury.
2025 Nissan lowers MSRP
judgment
It’s hard to ignore the value the Kicks offers, especially for first-time buyers or young drivers looking for a tech-rich, affordable subcompact crossover that meets most practical needs. Is a fully loaded, all-wheel-drive rally-top SR worth more than $32,000? For some, the extra tech, a better audio system, and some bells and whistles might justify the price tag, but for most, this feels more like a stretch than a smart purchase. Sure, you get a lot of bells and whistles, but this price point starts to push the Kicks into territory where more compelling vehicles exist.
In fact, it makes more sense to stick with low to medium levels of trim. Starting at $21,830 for the base front-wheel-drive model and topping out at $25,330 for the AWD SV (not including $1,390 delivery and destination charges), these trims offer better value. You still get the excellent fuel economy of the non-hybrid engine, excellent cargo space, tons of great technology, and a comfortable interior without risking questionable pricing.
Based on everything I’ve experienced with this car, I think it has a perfect market: young people. This is a car that focuses on safety, practicality, technology and comfort. It’s a perfect all-purpose tool (with some advantages like audio equipment) that young people can enjoy without spending too much money.
Nissan also offers free maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles. It’s not a perfect car, but it improves on the original Kicks and adds a few things to the formula that help it stand out in a very competitive category.
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