As lovers, we love the vehicles that actually get your coronary heart pumping. Sadly for us, that type of stuff prices cash. Some huge cash. The overwhelming majority of automotive patrons, alternatively, 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 obtainable 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 that you may purchase, Nissan did job of specializing in what’s going to matter essentially the most to patrons. This time round, meaning lastly including all-wheel drive as an possibility.
Now, don’t get me improper. 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 folks actually didn’t like not with 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 similar time, it ought to assist enhance gross sales. What about the remainder of the automotive, although? Is it actually a cut price, 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 needed 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 skin, the brand new Kicks appears boxier and extra rugged than the automotive it replaces, and total, it’s design. I particularly like what Nissan has performed with the taillights, which actually assist the Kicks stand out. As somebody who simply needs a sizzling hatch on the finish of the day, I choose 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 seem like a automotive that was constructed to a particularly low value level.
Inside, the cabin is comparatively easy, however it’s properly laid out. You get a conventional PRNDL shift lever, in addition to fairly a number of different bodily controls together with a quantity knob. In a world the place capabilities are usually 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. 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 effectively. 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 all the time nice to see, though it will be good in the event that they had been normal throughout the board. Toyota discovered a approach to make all of the driver-assist tech normal on each Corolla and Corolla Cross, in spite of everything. Nonetheless, Nissan’s removed from the one offender in that regard, and the techniques do work rather well. You may’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 spite of everything. 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 outdated 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 essential whenever you notice 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 will be an entire lot of cash to spend on a automotive crammed with low cost plastics.
Nissan usually does effectively with seats, and those within the new Kicks are not any exception. It’s exhausting to know the way far more drained I’d have been by the tip of my drive in one other automotive, however I used to be stunned how refreshed I felt after a few hours. If you present as much as assessment 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 positively admire. The final Kicks wasn’t precisely identified for its spacious again seat.
Below 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 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 performed. It’s type of loud, although, and doesn’t sound the perfect. Wind and street noise are additionally noticeable, however it’s not distractingly unhealthy, and it’s nonetheless quieter than I anticipated. The repeatedly variable transmission can be superb, and dealing with proved higher than anticipated. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s enjoyable to drive, however it additionally wasn’t disagreeable or utterly misplaced when the roads obtained twisty. It’s additionally fairly good on fuel, coming in at 28/35/31 mpg (metropolis/freeway/mixed) based on 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 possibility. Loads of automakers are afraid to make their vehicles obtainable in Good Colours as a result of folks don’t purchase them, however not Nissan. If you need a yellow Kicks, you may 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 may be ordered in an excellent Electrical Blue Metallic. Come on, different automakers, give us extra enjoyable colours!
The brand new Nissan Kicks positively isn’t an fanatic’s automotive, however not all vehicles should 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 buy proper now.
