2025 Nissan Kicks Advantages and Disadvantages: At Least It Has a Better Aesthetic Now

      **Adam Ismail**

      **In This Article**

      The revamped Nissan Kicks is a vehicle you can’t help but cheer for. It’s affordable—or, as some might say, relatively affordable in today’s market. Available in vibrant colors and boasting an appealing design, it represents the subcompact SUV you envision idealistic young adults, who can somehow manage both car ownership and urban renting, driving when they want to escape the city. When judging solely by its exterior and starting price of $23,220, the new Kicks embodies all these characteristics.

      However, even budget-conscious buyers have options, and the latest Kicks is another Nissan that shines primarily on paper. While it doesn’t have any glaring flaws, there’s also not much to get excited about once you step inside. Car owners have shown an incredible ability to appreciate any vehicle—even those that are dangerously inexpensive or poorly designed. The new Kicks isn’t either of these, but it’s also a bit forgettable, which is somewhat disappointing.

      **Adam Ismail**

      **Striking Exterior Design:** Many people weren’t fans of the previous Juke’s appearance, but I was. It resembled a pumped-up subcompact hatchback, featuring rounded arches, short overhangs, and a high ride height. To me, the Juke found a sweet spot between eccentricity and boldness, making it a perfect fit for the Nismo treatment. Yet, Nissan seems to have overcompensated for the public’s backlash with the exceedingly ordinary first-gen Kicks, a model I can hardly remember without looking it up. Fortunately, I don't expect to need Google Images for the new version, as it presents a sharp look. During my test drive, I received a compliment on the SUV, which didn’t completely surprise me. This design has a cohesiveness that has been absent from Nissan's offerings for years. It’s straightforward, featuring soft, semicircular curves and horizontal lines that evoke classic ’80s nostalgia. Not quirky or forgettable, Nissan has finally created a compact SUV that has broad appeal, available in some fantastic colors.

      **Very Comfortable Seats:** Nissan takes pride in the seats of the Kicks and other models, dubbing them Zero Gravity. I appreciated them in the Versa and Sentra I previously drove, and I still enjoy them now. They offer adequate support while being plush enough for daily driving without being overly bolstered. The quality of materials and design, however, tells a different story, which we’ll discuss, but comfort-wise, I have no complaints.

      **Adam Ismail**

      **Decent Handling:** While it wouldn’t be fair or expected to label it as an exhilarating drive, the Kicks handles adequately. It feels lightweight, nimble, and easy to steer, though an important clarification is necessary. The model discussed here features all-wheel drive, benefiting from a multi-link rear suspension, whereas front-wheel-drive variants are equipped with torsion-beam rear axles. I can’t speak to the driving experience of the base model, but if you invest an additional $1,500 for all-wheel drive, the driving dynamics are on point.

      **Reasonable Fuel Economy:** Although the Kicks is compact, it remains a tall and sturdy SUV. The EPA estimates its fuel efficiency at 27 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and a combined 30 mpg, which was consistent with my experience. (Front-wheel-drive models do yield 1 mpg better performance across the board.) While that feels somewhat underwhelming for a vehicle that is both slow and inexpensive, it actually holds up well against competitors, particularly in all-wheel-drive configuration. The Chevrolet Trax achieves 30 mpg combined with only front-wheel drive, while the all-wheel-drive Hyundai Kona can only reach 27 mpg.

      **Adam Ismail**

      **Cons**

      **Inexpensive—Until It's Not:** The starting price of the Nissan Kicks is $23,220, but the model evaluated here is a top-tier SR variant with an additional $1,500 for all-wheel drive. The issue arises because the base S trim lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while replacing the larger screens in my review model with smaller displays in the same housing, resulting in a regrettable appearance. You need to upgrade to the mid-tier SV trim at $25,070 to access phone connectivity, and if you're interested in extras like heated seats or—for real—a back pocket for the front passenger seat, the costs climb quickly. The Kicks reviewed here is nearly the most expensive model Nissan offers, priced at $32,065, which feels excessive for this vehicle.

      **It’s Very Slow:** Admittedly, most buyers of this type of vehicle are not looking for speed, but prospective Kicks owners should be prepared for quite a few instances where they’ll need to floor the accelerator to merge onto highways. The 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT performs dec