No pricing data available at this time. Our Opinion - 2025 Nissan Kicks Review The Nissan Kicks subcompact crossover, which got a major makeover in 2025, is getting older, but it has yet to completely give up the cheap and fun-sized qualities that made the first model stand out. The outside of the Kicks is now more modern than it was last year, with front and back fascias that are stronger but less crowded. It looks completely different on the inside and outside. The updated Kicks are an inch or two bigger in every way, but they still have a bit of the original shape. This adds 1.7 inches of shoulder room in the front, 1.9 inches of shoulder room in the back, and 0.9 inches of knee room in the back. There are now more entertainment options in the useful cabin, such as a 12.3-inch center screen (a 7.0-inch display is normal), and the interior has been updated to match the look of the SU’s outside. Importantly, the old model’s 1.6-liter engine was sometimes overused. It has been replaced with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 141 horsepower, and all-wheel drive is now an option. Based on these specs, it’s becoming a more direct rival to the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos. What's New? For 2025, the new Kicks has a more powerful four-cylinder engine, bigger proportions, and a new look on the outside and inside. The suspension now has 8.4 inches of ground clearance, up from 7.0 inches in the last generation so that it can go off-road for short trips. The top SR trim level comes with standard Pro Pilot lane-keeping assist, which is a first for any Kicks model. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats are now available in both the front and back, where they were only available in the front. Pros and Cons Pros Stylish outdoor design. It now comes with a better engine and all-wheel drive. Includes numerous standard driver aids. Cons The base model has limited features. Lacks a hybrid powertrain. Facing strong competition in the segment. Engine, Transmission, and Performance Nissan is changing the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in the 2025 Kicks with a 2.0-liter engine that makes 141 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. This engine has been criticized for a long time. With 20 more horsepower and 26 more pound-feet of torque, doubters should be put at ease. With the optional all-wheel drive (AWD) package, the power is sent to all four wheels by means of a continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT). This is a first for the car. AWD cars come with an extra drive mode called “Snow” in addition to the normal Normal, Eco, and Sport modes. We’ll add our thoughts on the 2025 Kicks to this story after trying them and instrumented test results as soon as we can drive one. Safety Nissan cars come with a lot of features that help the driver, like automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and back cross-traffic alert. For more details on how the Kicks performed in crash tests, visit the IIHS and NHTSA websites. Some important safety factors are: Automatic emergency braking that comes as standard and can identify pedestrians. Normal warning for leaving your lane. Adaptive cruise control that can center itself in its lane is an option. Internal and External Cargo Capacity As the interior renovations go on, horizontal flat display screens are angled a little toward the driver to make watching better. The zero-gravity seats that Nissan fans have been waiting for have been added to the back seats. The dashboard and flat-bottom steering wheel are stitched in the same design. On the SR trim, the usual dual-dial layout found in previous-generation Kicks has been replaced by a haptic touch panel that can be used to control the climate. Other trims still have dials. Even though there is more space for cargo, AWD needs a small decrease in trunk space because it has more parts for driving. Cars with front-wheel drive have 29 cubic feet of space behind the second row, while cars with all-wheel drive only have 24 cubic feet. If you fold down the back seats, there are 59 cubes in the front driver’s seat and 50 cubes with all-wheel drive. When the chance comes up, we’ll test both types to see if they work well for carry-on luggage and add the results to this post. Infotainment and Connectivity The base S model has a normal 7.0-inch touchscreen, but the SV and SR models have a 12.3-inch color touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that work wirelessly. Both the SV and the SR have two USB-C ports, and the SR has two extra USB-C ports for people in the back seats. There is only one type-A USB port on the S. The base model comes with a Bluetooth stereo with four speakers and a USB input. The SV model adds SiriusXM satellite radio and the SR model cuts the number of speakers to six. Audiophiles might want to buy the 10-speaker Bose system, which has speakers on the headrests of the front seats. Price and How to Choose As for the best Kicks, the mid-range SV is the best. Moreover, it is equipped with a navigation screen that is larger than 12 inches and, together with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wirelessly. The screen can also be locked and unlocked without using your hands, and it has a wireless phone charging station. All-wheel drive can be added to any of the three levels of equipment.
