When it first arrived in 2018, the Nissan Kicks took its place at the entry point into the brand’s SUV lineup. This compact crossover still holds this position, residing below the Rogue and Murano, but the Kicks takes a step upscale as it moves into its second generation for the 2025 model year.
The step up entails more than just a fresh face. Nissan builds the five-passenger crossover SUV on an all-new global platform, providing better driving dynamics and a roomier interior. The updated chassis also reduces road noise while improving front suspension stiffness.
Larger in every dimension compared to the outgoing model, the 2025 Nissan Kicks gets a stylish new exterior design, fresh interior style, a larger, more powerful engine, and, for the first time, available all-wheel drive (AWD). The changes for 2025 represent the most significant redesign of the Kicks since its introduction.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2025 Nissan Kicks is available in three trim levels: S, SV, and SR. Each comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD). For the first time, Kicks buyers have the option of AWD. The 2025 Nissan Kicks price ranges from around $23,000 to $29,000, including the destination charge. The small SUV is already arriving in showrooms.
For this review, Nissan invited me to its Technical Center north of Detroit, Michigan, and provided me with a 2025 Nissan Kicks SR AWD. Painted in the unique two-tone Gun Metallic/Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, this top-level Kicks also had the SR AWD Premium package, splash guards, and floor mats for a total manufacturer's suggested retail price of $31,710, including the destination charge of $1,390 to ship the Kicks from the Nissan assembly plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2025 Nissan Kicks brings a new exterior look that dramatically differs from the previous version. The wide grille with horizontal bars features integrated LED daytime running lights at the edges, giving the new Kicks a bold stance. The slim LED headlights at the top and a new lower fascia add to this new look. The rear hatch also gets a fresh design with updated LED taillights and a squared-off style.
The new Kicks gets a significant update to its cabin to go with its fresh exterior face. The available dual 12.3-inch screens for the driver and infotainment displays give the entry-level Kicks a high-tech vibe, and they fit nicely with the new dashboard's clean design. A panoramic moonroof is also available for the first time in the Kicks.
Controls are well thought out, with climate functions in a separate panel and a physical volume knob front and center. Multiple USB ports and a convenient phone charging pad are in the center console, while the large cupholders, side pockets, and center armrest cubby provide good interior storage.
For the first time, the Kicks gets Nissan's Zero Gravity seats in front and the outboard rear positions. These unique seats are quite comfortable, providing excellent support while reducing fatigue on long journeys. In addition to the updated seats, rear-seat passengers will enjoy the spacious second row with good legroom and headroom.
Thanks to the redesign, the Kicks can handle more cargo than the previous generation, with FWD models getting up to 30 cubic feet of space. Folding the rear seats bumps the usable space up to 60 cubic feet. Opting for the AWD version delivers a hit to storage space as cargo capacity drops to 23.9 cubic feet.
Photo: Perry Stern
The top-level Kicks I drove featured the new 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display (the base S trim gets a 7-inch version). Icons are clear and easy to view on the larger screen, helping to make navigation through the system easy.
The Home screen has large tiles presenting audio, communication, and applications, while static shortcuts remain on the left side of the screen. The dashboard features a padded shelf in front of the screen, which helps keep your hand stable while using the touchscreen.
The top-level trims get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, with a wireless connection. I quickly connected my Samsung Galaxy S23+ via Bluetooth and launched Android Auto, which takes advantage of the entire display screen. Streaming music via Spotify through the optional 10-speaker Bose audio system sounded very good, especially with the speakers integrated into the headrests.
While communication and entertainment are important, so is safety. Nissan equips the Kicks with a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features include adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic warning, rear automatic braking, and blind-spot warning. Additional features like intersection turn assistance, traffic-sign recognition, front parking sensors, and a 360-degree surround-view camera with moving-object detection are available for the first time on the Kicks.
Also debuting on the Kicks is the available ProPilot Assist hands-on semi-autonomous driver-assist system. Standard on the top-level Kicks SR, ProPilot Assist utilizes adaptive cruise and lane centering to maintain speed and distance from the vehicle ahead while providing steering input to keep the Kicks centered in its lane. The system works smoothly, and when I came into heavy traffic, ProPilot Assist slowed the Kicks to a halt, then continued when vehicles ahead began moving, alleviating much of the stress of driving in stop-and-go traffic.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Nissan Kicks gets a new engine for the 2025 model year, with all trims featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. An updated continuously variable automatic transmission is standard, as is FWD; all trims are available with AWD.
Nissan updates its AWD system for the Kicks, featuring a direct coupling for quicker activation, resulting in better control on slick surfaces. Kicks SUVs with AWD also get Snow mode, improving performance in slippery or snowy conditions.
While this new engine increases power by almost 20 hp compared to the outgoing model, the AWD Kicks I drove weighed more than 500 pounds compared to the previous-generation FWD Kicks, which seemed to counter the added power.
The throttle response in the Kicks is slow, and full throttle from a stop results in disappointing acceleration. Putting my right foot down while already at speed had a similar result, and adding insult to injury, the engine gets loud when pushed hard. Pulling out onto a busy road requires planning to ensure room to get up to speed.
While it's not quick, the Kicks delivers a smooth, comfortable ride. The steering provides a good response, and the Kicks' small size gives it an agile demeanor for good cornering ability. The Kicks is enjoyable to drive when you don’t need strong power.
During my drive, I ventured off the pavement on a pitted dirt road, and the Kicks performed quite well. While the road was rough, the suspension absorbed the bumps, and the SUV felt quite capable. With AWD and 8.4 inches of ground clearance (up from 7 inches in the previous version), I wouldn't hesitate to tackle a forest road or dirt track in the Kicks.
The engine may not deliver the desired level of performance, but it does redeem itself with reasonably good fuel economy. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates the fuel economy of the 2025 Nissan Kicks at 31 mpg in combined driving (AWD drops that figure by one mpg). During my drive, the trip computer showed 26 mpg, which is not particularly close to the EPA’s combined figure for AWD.
It may be the entry point into Nissan’s extensive SUV lineup, but the updated 2025 Kicks looks and feels like a higher-end model. With its stylish new design, roomier interior, advanced safety features, and the availability of AWD, the new Kicks should hold its own against strong rivals like the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, and Volkswagen Taos.
While its acceleration performance is somewhat disappointing, the Kicks brings a lot to the road as a fuel-efficient, value-priced five-passenger crossover. For those in the market for such a vehicle, the 2025 Nissan Kicks should definitely be on your consideration list.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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