Nissan Kicks Road test.

The Nissan Kicks was redesigned for the 2025 model year. It is larger than the previous generation, as everything is, but also not as cute.

It also uses a different platform, shared with many other Nissan and Renault models around the globe. While less than 3 inches longer, it does look quite larger than the previous one in the flesh. The hood especially seems quite a bit higher and it gives the little Kicks the personality of something that tries to be more than what it really is…

There is quite a bit of black plastic cladding. It’s not as bad as on a Subaru, but not that great either. 

One of the main attraction here his the slow starting price of just around $23,000, which is great. However, my loaded AWD SR trim was above $33,000.

Inside, things are more upscale than the 1st generation. The screen is of course larger and it does feel a bit roomier. Plastics are mostly OK. And everything feels pretty solid. The seats are comfortable but power seats are just not available, not even on the loaded trim. 

The Bose sound system includes headrests speakers and does sound very good. 

The back seat is not that roomy. It also has no air vents. That means “back seat brawls here we go!”.

The rear doors are not finished as well as the front ones. No stitching on the trim and just hard plastic everywhere. And for some reason, they also sound much worse, not as solid,  when you close them than the front ones. 

The Nissan Kicks is very easy to drive. The engine is mostly smooth if you don’t push it. The transmission works fine. But the ride could be smoother. And road noise is pretty bad even at low speeds. The steering is also a bit too light for my taste. 

The design of the new Kicks makes it look larger than it is. And it seems to try very hard to drive like a larger car as well. Which is not always great. In general, you can tell it’s an inexpensive car based on an inexpensive platform. 

Gas mileage is fine with about 28MPG around town. The AWD is rated at 27, or just 1MPG under the FWD version. You get around 36MPG on the freeway. Which is fine. 

I think the Nissan Kicks is a great deal if you don’t go too high and pick a lower trim. Over $33,000 is a bit much for what it is and how it drives. A cheaper, well equipped  FWD SV trim with the panoramic sunroof option is just around $27,000.

I haven’t driven a Honda H-RV for a while, but I remember being a nice surprise and a very pleasant experience. Just make sure you check out the competition if your’e interested in the Kicks.