2025 NISSAN KICKS GAINS A LOT OF GROUND
Low-priced transportation often comes with a high number of sacrifices, but as consumer expectations continue to rise, carmakers have stepped up to meet or often exceed those expectations. The Nissan Kicks played the role of an affordable subcompact crossover when it debuted for 2018, but its weak acceleration, stingy rear passenger space, and lack of an all-wheel-drive option held it back. The fully redesigned 2025 Nissan Kicks looks to erase those drawbacks, and in many ways, it succeeds.
From the outside, the new Kicks has a more substantial presence, with a boxier, more upright style. Accent lights integrated into the edges of a wide grille distinguish it from more conventional rivals, and the dark plastic wheel surrounds and rocker panels add a slight ruggedness. The designer claims their handiwork was heavily influenced by sneakers—no real surprise, given the model name—and in brighter colors, you can see the resemblance.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter inline-four that produces 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new continuously variable automatic transmission. Also new for the Kicks is the addition of optional all-wheel drive, which should give it more appeal in regions prone to rougher weather. The new powertrain feels much more responsive than its predecessor, especially off the line. It can even be a bit too jumpy if you're careless with the gas pedal.
That alone makes a big difference in the Kicks's perceived performance, but in reality, it's not much quicker. The last-generation Kicks had a 122-hp 1.6-liter and required almost 10 seconds to reach 60 mph, but we're thinking this one might sneak its way into the lower half of the nines when we get one to test in Ann Arbor.
Languid acceleration shouldn't be a problem in most conditions, as there's more than adequate power around town and on the highway. The Kicks's four-cylinder is also fine on the steeper grades of the Santa Ynez Mountains outside of Santa Barbara, California—until you try to pass slower traffic. You'll have to stomp the throttle and keep your foot down for the entire maneuver. It does nothing for confidence, and you'll have to plan passes carefully. Coming down the other side of the mountain, dropping the transmission into B mode gives you some engine braking so you won't have to ride the left pedal as much. The brake pedal is also appropriately weighted, and it's easy to come to a smooth stop.
Handling is more than adequate and instills much more confidence than the engine. The Kicks's compact wheelbase not only adds agility but also makes it a cinch to back into a tight parking spot. Visibility is better than in many other SUVs, as the upright nose and tail give you a very good indication of how far you might be from obstacles—the top SR trim adds a surround-view camera array to take any guesswork out of the equation. Overall, the new Kicks won't impress you with performance, but it should be more than adequate for the average driver. EPA fuel economy estimates for the front-drive Kicks come in at 31 mpg combined, which breaks down to 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. All-wheel-drive drops all of those figures by a single mpg.
Inside, the cockpit layout is simple and clean. In SR trim, two 12.3-inch screens join behind a continuous enclosure, adding a modern aesthetic. In the base S trim, you get a duo of 7.0-inch screens, while the mid-grade SV has a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto operate wirelessly in all but the base model. The placement of the screens is a bit low for our tastes, though. We'd prefer to have them atop the dash and closer to the driver's sightlines, but they're still easy to read at a quick glance.
The climate controls beneath have capacitive touch buttons, and they're spaced far enough apart to make the setup easy to use. You do have to take your eyes off the road to change the cabin temperature, but the system works well enough that you'll rarely have to make adjustments. For an extra dash of ear candy, a Bose premium audio system available on SR models features speakers in the front headrests.
There's ample space for your personal items, with large center cupholders that can accommodate a 30-ounce coffee flask. The door pockets can hold larger 32-ounce tumblers. A wireless charging pad is standard in the top two trims and holds your phone securely when cornering.
Both rows of seats adopt Nissan's Zero Gravity design that remains comfortable for longer trips, but in the top SR trim, the leatherette upholstery can feel stifling. Helping to combat fatigue, the cabin remains relatively quiet on the highway. Road and wind noise are noticeable, but not at all intrusive. Interior materials are considerably nicer than before, with an abundance of soft-touch surfaces, but we would appreciate a little more padding on the door's armrest.
The rear seats gain almost an inch of legroom, and they're spacious enough for average-size passengers. Elevated seat cushions give occupants a better outward view and provide plenty of thigh support. The cargo area can hold up to 30 cubic feet of stuff, doubling when the back seats are stowed. Nissan claims you can squeeze a 65-inch TV back there.
As far as safety tech goes, the Kicks comes with all the typical features and driver assists you'd expect, and they function without any false alarms. The top trim adds Nissan's ProPilot Assist, which will relieve the driver of some highway duties as long as you keep your hands on the wheel. The lane centering is well tuned, so you won't have to wrestle the wheel to take back control.
Pricing starts at $23,220 (including $1390 in destination fees) for the base S trim with front-wheel drive. Adding all-wheel drive will cost another $1500 ($1650 for the SV trim), making it the most affordable AWD crossover in the U.S. The top SR trim starts at $27,570 and can reach $35K fully loaded with all-wheel drive.
Compared to the Volkswagen Taos, Mazda CX-30, and Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Kicks will save you some cash. The Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul are slightly more affordable. Among these alternatives, the Kicks's improvements make it far more competitive. None of these choices are stout performers (CX-30 aside), and each twee SUV has its own drawbacks. Altogether, with its former sacrifices fortunately eliminated, the 2025 Nissan Kicks represents a great pick in an important class.
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