As fanatics, we love the vehicles that actually get your coronary heart pumping. Sadly for us, that form of stuff prices cash. Some huge cash. The overwhelming majority of automotive consumers, however, simply need one thing respectable to get them from level A to level B, and the cheaper it’s, the higher. Sadly, there are no new vehicles out there for lower than $20,000, however with an MSRP of $21,980, the 2025 Nissan Kicks appears temptingly reasonably priced by new automotive requirements. And the excellent news is that whereas it might not be the sportiest subcompact crossover which you could purchase, Nissan did an excellent job of specializing in what’s going to matter probably the most to consumers. This time round, meaning lastly including all-wheel drive as an choice.
Now, don’t get me flawed. Nissan didn’t flip the Kicks into some form of off-roader. You’re by no means going to see one on the Rubicon, however apparently individuals actually didn’t like not having the ability to get all-wheel drive on the first-generation Kicks, so Nissan determined to present them the choice. It’s not precisely a groundbreaking addition, however on the similar time, it ought to assist enhance gross sales. What about the remainder of the automotive, although? Is it actually a discount, or did Nissan low cost out and lower corners? After a number of hours behind the wheel, I’d argue the 2025 Nissan Kicks actually is a superb reasonably priced automotive.
(Full Disclosure: Nissan wished me to drive the 2025 Nissan Kicks so badly, it purchased me a flight to Santa Barbara, California, put me up in a flowery resort, purchased my drinks and fed me.)
On the skin, the brand new Kicks appears boxier and extra rugged than the automotive it replaces, and general, it’s an excellent design. I particularly like what Nissan has achieved with the taillights, which actually assist the Kicks stand out. As somebody who simply needs a scorching hatch on the finish of the day, I desire the Mazda CX-30’s extra athletic look, however most of the people likes extra squared-off styling, so it was most likely a good move on Nissan’s half. And maybe most significantly, it doesn’t appear to be a automotive that was constructed to a particularly low value level.
Inside, the cabin is comparatively easy, but it surely’s properly laid out. You get a standard PRNDL shift lever, in addition to fairly just a few different bodily controls together with a quantity knob. In a world the place features are often buried in menus on touchscreens, it was good to have the ability to hop into the Kicks and simply drive while not having a tutorial first. As for the screens the Kicks does have, the bottom mannequin comes with a 7.0-inch driver show and a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Increased-end fashions have a 12.3-inch middle display, and the highest trim that we drove provides a 12.3-inch driver show as properly. The Kicks additionally consists of help for wi-fi Android Auto or Apple CarPlay on the SR and SV variations and has wi-fi charging.
The SR additionally comes with Nissan’s newest superior driver-assistance options, which is at all times nice to see, though it will be good in the event that they have been normal throughout the board. Toyota discovered a solution to make all of the driver-assist tech normal on each Corolla and Corolla Cross, in any case. Nonetheless, Nissan’s removed from the one offender in that regard, and the methods do work very well. You’ll be able to’t drive hands-free, however so long as you retain your hand on the wheel, the Kicks does a stable job of lane centering as a substitute of ping-ponging between the traces. There are limits to how far it will probably flip the wheel by itself, so that you’ll need to deal with the steering within the canyons, however you shouldn’t be canyon carving with adaptive cruise management on within the first place, and I’ve a tough time seeing anybody truly attempting that.
Now I do know I used to be driving a completely loaded Kicks, and people are naturally going to really feel nicer than the bottom mannequin. That’s the purpose of the costlier variations, in any case. However I’ve to say, I used to be legitimately shocked by how good the cabin supplies felt. You’re not going to confuse a Kicks for an Infiniti any time quickly, however the previous Kicks had a reasonably cheap-feeling inside, and the brand new one is a big step up when it comes to high quality. That’s much more necessary once you understand a Kicks SR with all-wheel drive is sort of $30,000 with vacation spot, and that’s earlier than you begin including choices. That may be an entire lot of cash to spend on a automotive full of low cost plastics.
Nissan usually does properly with seats, and those within the new Kicks aren’t any exception. It’s exhausting to understand how far more drained I might have been by the tip of my drive in one other automotive, however I used to be shocked how refreshed I felt after a few hours. Once you present as much as evaluation one of many least costly automobiles within the U.S., you anticipate there to be some compromises, however there actually weren’t. Rear passengers additionally get an additional inch of legroom, which they’ll undoubtedly respect. The final Kicks wasn’t precisely identified for its spacious again seat.
Beneath the hood, there’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. That’s sufficient for each day obligation and in addition 19 extra horsepower than the earlier Kicks. There actually isn’t an entire lot to say concerning the engine. It will get the job achieved. It’s form of loud, although, and doesn’t sound the perfect. Wind and highway noise are additionally noticeable, but it surely’s not distractingly dangerous, and it’s nonetheless quieter than I anticipated. The constantly variable transmission can be positive, and dealing with proved higher than anticipated. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s enjoyable to drive, but it surely additionally wasn’t disagreeable or utterly misplaced when the roads acquired twisty. It’s additionally fairly good on fuel, coming in at 28/35/31 mpg (metropolis/freeway/mixed) in response to the EPA.
And when you’ll most likely largely see white and black paint on the brand new Kicks, I need to commend Nissan for providing Yuzu Yellow Metallic as an choice. Numerous automakers are afraid to make their vehicles out there in Good Colours as a result of individuals don’t purchase them, however not Nissan. If you would like a yellow Kicks, you will get a yellow Kicks. You’ll need to get the SR to take action, however the SV is available in Monarch Orange Metallic, and even the S may be ordered in an excellent Electrical Blue Metallic. Come on, different automakers, give us extra enjoyable colours!
The brand new Nissan Kicks undoubtedly isn’t an fanatic’s automotive, however not all vehicles have to be. As a sensible each day driver at an reasonably priced value, Nissan has mainly nailed it. It’s extra grown-up. It’s nicer inside. It has extra energy. It’s extra spacious. It gives all-wheel drive. And it’s nonetheless one of many least costly vehicles you should purchase proper now.
