As lovers, we love the automobiles that actually get your coronary heart pumping. Sadly for us, that type of stuff prices cash. Some huge cash. The overwhelming majority of automobile patrons, however, simply need one thing first rate to get them from level A to level B, and the cheaper it’s, the higher. Sadly, there are no new automobiles obtainable for lower than $20,000, however with an MSRP of $21,980, the 2025 Nissan Kicks appears to be like temptingly inexpensive by new automobile requirements. And the excellent news is that whereas it might not be the sportiest subcompact crossover that you would be able to purchase, Nissan did a very good job of specializing in what’s going to matter probably the most to patrons. This time round, which means lastly including all-wheel drive as an choice.
Now, don’t get me mistaken. Nissan didn’t flip the Kicks into some type 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 offer them the choice. It’s not precisely a groundbreaking addition, however on the identical time, it ought to assist enhance gross sales. What about the remainder of the automobile, 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 good inexpensive automobile.
(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 lodge, purchased my drinks and fed me.)
On the surface, the brand new Kicks appears to be like boxier and extra rugged than the automobile it replaces, and general, it’s a very good design. I particularly like what Nissan has accomplished with the taillights, which actually assist the Kicks stand out. As somebody who simply desires a sizzling hatch on the finish of the day, I desire the Mazda CX-30’s extra athletic look, however most people likes extra squared-off styling, so it was in all probability a good move on Nissan’s half. And maybe most significantly, it doesn’t appear to be a automobile that was constructed to an especially low value level.
Inside, the cabin is comparatively easy, nevertheless it’s properly laid out. You get a conventional PRNDL shift lever, in addition to fairly a couple of different bodily controls together with a quantity knob. In a world the place features are recurrently buried in menus on touchscreens, it was good to have the ability to hop into the Kicks and simply drive without 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. Larger-end fashions have a 12.3-inch heart display screen, and the highest trim that we drove provides a 12.3-inch driver show as nicely. The Kicks additionally contains 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 all the time nice to see, though it could be good in the event that they have been normal throughout the board. Toyota discovered a method 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 rather well. You possibly can’t drive hands-free, however so long as you retain your hand on the wheel, the Kicks does a strong job of lane centering as an alternative of ping-ponging between the traces. There are limits to how far it may flip the wheel by itself, so that you’ll should 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 really making an attempt 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 dearer variations, in any case. However I’ve to say, I used to be legitimately stunned 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 major step up when it comes to high quality. That’s much more vital whenever 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 might be an entire lot of cash to spend on a automobile crammed with low cost plastics.
Nissan usually does nicely with seats, and those within the new Kicks are not any exception. It’s laborious to know the way rather more drained I’d have been by the tip of my drive in one other automobile, however I used to be stunned how refreshed I felt after a few hours. If you present as much as overview one of many least costly autos within the U.S., you count on there to be some compromises, however there actually weren’t. Rear passengers additionally get an additional inch of legroom, which they’ll undoubtedly recognize. The final Kicks wasn’t precisely identified for its spacious again seat.
Underneath the hood, there’s a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. That’s sufficient for every day responsibility 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 accomplished. It’s type of loud, although, and doesn’t sound the perfect. Wind and highway noise are additionally noticeable, nevertheless it’s not distractingly unhealthy, and it’s nonetheless quieter than I anticipated. The constantly variable transmission can also be tremendous, and dealing with proved higher than anticipated. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s enjoyable to drive, nevertheless it additionally wasn’t disagreeable or fully misplaced when the roads received twisty. It’s additionally fairly good on gasoline, coming in at 28/35/31 mpg (metropolis/freeway/mixed) in line with the EPA.
And when you’ll in all probability largely see white and black paint on the brand new Kicks, I wish to commend Nissan for providing Yuzu Yellow Metallic as an choice. Lots of automakers are afraid to make their automobiles obtainable 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 should get the SR to take action, however the SV is available in Monarch Orange Metallic, and even the S could 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 automobile, however not all automobiles should be. As a sensible every day driver at an inexpensive value, Nissan has mainly nailed it. It’s extra grown-up. It’s nicer inside. It has extra energy. It’s extra spacious. It provides all-wheel drive. And it’s nonetheless one of many least costly automobiles you should purchase proper now.
