Nissan added AWD to the Kicks for the 2025 model year, so the small SUV is way more competitive now. It got more power, too; instead of a measly 1.6-liter engine, it now has a 2.0-liter with 141 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. Of course, like most vehicles with a Nissan badge, all Kicks models come with a CVT.
Yes, we know that the mention of a Nissan CVT induces narcolepsy, but in the Kicks, it’s well sorted out. It’s not fast, but that’s expected for a car that starts at $23,220. Equipment levels are good, too; the mid-level Kicks SV, for instance, has a sizeable 12.3-inch infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging pad, and hands-free unlock.
Earlier this year, colleague Alex Hevesy tested the high-end 2025 Nissan Kicks SR Premium AWD model and still found it to be affordable for the equipment on offer. The SR trim comes with 19-inch alloys and LED signature headlights, alongside Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist safety suite. Meanwhile, the Premium package, for instance, adds luxury features like a panoramic moonroof, Bose sound system, remote engine start, heated mirrors, rain sensing wipers, and rear passenger under-seat heater ducts for just $1,500.
Yes, the Kicks might not be as rugged as the Crosstrek. It’s also not the smoothest-riding crossover around, and not exactly fun to drive. Still, it’s a cheap, well-equipped, small crossover SUV, so it’s easy to turn a blind eye to its disadvantages.