As lovers, we love the automobiles that actually get your coronary heart pumping. Sadly for us, that form of stuff prices cash. Some huge cash. The overwhelming majority of automobile consumers, 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 automobiles obtainable for lower than $20,000, however with an MSRP of $21,980, the 2025 Nissan Kicks seems to be temptingly inexpensive by new automobile requirements. And the excellent news is that whereas it will not be the sportiest subcompact crossover that you could purchase, Nissan did 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 possibility.
Now, don’t get me improper. 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 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 identical time, it ought to assist increase gross sales. What about the remainder of the automobile, 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 good inexpensive automobile.
(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 elaborate lodge, purchased my drinks and fed me.)
On the skin, the brand new Kicks seems to be boxier and extra rugged than the automobile it replaces, and total, it’s design. I particularly like what Nissan has executed with the taillights, which actually assist the Kicks stand out. As somebody who simply desires a scorching hatch on the finish of the day, I want the Mazda CX-30’s extra athletic look, however most of the people likes extra squared-off styling, so it was most likely a smart move on Nissan’s half. And maybe most significantly, it doesn’t seem like a automobile that was constructed to an especially low worth 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 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. 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 contains assist 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 had been normal throughout the board. Toyota found out a solution 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 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 strong job of lane centering as a substitute 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 totally loaded Kicks, and people are naturally going to really feel nicer than the bottom mannequin. That’s the purpose of the costlier variations, in spite of everything. 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 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 almost $30,000 with vacation spot, and that’s earlier than you begin including choices. That might be a complete lot of cash to spend on a automobile crammed with low cost plastics.
Nissan typically does effectively with seats, and those within the new Kicks are not any exception. It’s onerous to know the way rather more drained I might have been by the top of my drive in one other automobile, however I used to be shocked how refreshed I felt after a few hours. While 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 respect. The final Kicks wasn’t precisely recognized 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 day by day obligation and likewise 19 extra horsepower than the earlier Kicks. There actually isn’t a complete lot to say in regards to the engine. It will get the job executed. It’s form of loud, although, and doesn’t sound the most effective. Wind and street noise are additionally noticeable, however it’s not distractingly unhealthy, and it’s nonetheless quieter than I anticipated. The constantly variable transmission can be nice, 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 fully misplaced when the roads bought twisty. It’s additionally fairly good on gasoline, 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 wish to commend Nissan for providing Yuzu Yellow Metallic as an possibility. Loads of automakers are afraid to make their automobiles 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 might 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 have to be. As a sensible day by day driver at an inexpensive worth, Nissan has mainly nailed it. It’s extra grown-up. It’s nicer inside. It has extra energy. It’s extra spacious. It affords all-wheel drive. And it’s nonetheless one of many least costly automobiles you should purchase proper now.
