Nissan Kicks 2025: wipe the slate clean and start again... or almost

Santa Barbara, California - There's a lot of elbow grease in the small-utility segment. With the dizzying inflation of recent seasons, even pocket-sized crossovers have seen their prices soar. Nevertheless, it's still these leggy vehicles that average consumers are turning to for their next purchase, in the absence of being able to afford a higher-class SUV or having to wait several months for an electric model.

For 2025, the Nissan Kicks is a complete change of register, the smallest of the automaker's SUVs that also has to fill the gaping hole left by the Qashqai, sadly sent into retirement. The Kicks is still part of the same group of small SUVs, but it's clear that Nissan now wants to play on the same level as the Subaru Crosstrek, Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Toyota Corolla Cross, to name but a few.

Bigger, but above all more explosive

Nissan's new entry-level crossover arrives on the market these days with a new look that has nothing in common with its predecessor. The front fascia, for example, has concealed its “V-Motion” grille within a more massive block that includes headlights, LED daytime running lights and a gloss black grille. This new front end almost makes the Kicks look like a pickup truck.

It's the same story at the back, although the design of the parking lights is completely different from that of the outgoing model. The rear fenders end abruptly where the lights are installed. This vertical portion of the tailgate contrasts sharply with the sharper angle of the rear window, which slides under the spoiler.

Taller than the model it replaces (+22.9 mm), the new Kicks 2025 also gets larger-diameter wheels, huge 19-inch wheels bolted to the SR Privilège livery we were able to try out. The mid-level (SV), meanwhile, gets 17-inch wheels, while the entry-level makes do with 16-inch-diameter steel wheels, covered with wheel covers. In addition, a set of 19-inch sports wheels can be ordered on the SR Privilège model only.

The most important thing to remember about the Nissan Kicks 2.0 is that it has grown in length (+58.4 mm) and width (+40.6 mm), which translates into a more welcoming cabin, both for passengers and for luggage in the trunk.

Ariya perfume inside

There's no doubt that the most “futuristic” vehicle in the Nissan range at the moment is the Ariya electric crossover. With its aerodynamic envelope and sleek interior, it appeals to consumers who are more sensitive to technological content. What does this have to do with the Kicks, you might ask? The link is the dashboard, with its digital panel stretching from the center to behind the steering wheel, inspired by its electric big brother.

Note that the pair of 12.3-inch screens is reserved for the Kicks SR Privilège. Less expensive models are equipped with a 12.3“ infotainment screen and a second 7” screen behind the steering wheel. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is very comfortable to hold, and the touch-sensitive climate controls are relatively easy to reach under the central ventilation nozzles. That said, you still have to take your eyes off the road to make sure you're putting your finger on the right control. The gearshift lever is also well positioned in the center of this raised center console.

The front-row seats and those at the extreme rear also benefit from the Zero Gravity technology already on more expensive Nissan models. For this first contact lasting around three hours, the bucket seats in the first row proved comfortable, but their seating was too short. Passenger space, on the other hand, is about average for the segment, in both rows.

Trunk space has also grown somewhat, as shown by these figures for the front-wheel-drive variant: 849.5 liters, 133 more than in the previous Kicks. On the other hand, the presence of all-wheel drive on the second axle affects cargo volume, with the latter offering 172.7 liters less on board the Kicks equipped with four-wheel drive.

Kicks with more... kick?

This change of generation also brings its share of changes under the hood. The 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine has been replaced by the 2.0-liter unit currently found under the hood of the Sentra sedan. Power rises to 141 hp and torque to 140 lb-ft.

The gearbox is unsurprisingly a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which has received a few improvements to make it smoother in everyday use. But the clear improvement lies in the driveability of the new Kicks. Unlike the model it replaces, the 2025 model can be ordered with optional all-wheel drive. Consumers can therefore choose between two-wheel drive (traction) and four-wheel drive.

Behind the wheel

From the very first turns of the wheel on the small streets of Santa Barbara, the Nissan Kicks proves its agility and the rigidity of its chassis. The light steering, combined with the oversized rims, gives it a sportiness not previously seen. In city driving, the SUV benefits from its continuously variable transmission, which is more than sufficient for light acceleration and stop-and-go driving.

It's on the freeway that the powertrain shows its true colors, especially under hard acceleration. The engine's almost throaty sound is not unpleasant, nor are the CVT's “false shifts”. But getting up to speed is simply too slow. Is this due to the addition of the all-wheel drive? Unless the extra weight is to blame here, the new Kicks are heavier than the old ones. I'd even go so far as to say that the big wheels take the liveliness out of the revs.

We weren't able to get our hands on a two-wheel-drive variant, which doesn't have the independent multi-link suspension of the Kicks AWD, but rather a more traditional torsion bar. We're sure there's a difference between the two, but to find out, we'll have to wait for a road test in la Belle Province.

S, SV ou SR Privilege?

With a starting price of $27,199, the two-wheel-drive Nissan Kicks S comes to market for bargain hunters. It still benefits from a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless functions, as well as heated seats and intelligent cruise control, among other features. To upgrade to an all-wheel drive, you'll need to budget $29,199.

The SV level is interesting for its more comprehensive equipment. It offers induction charging for phones, a remote starter and even a heated steering wheel, plus 17-inch alloy wheels (instead of the steel wheels on the Kicks S). The two-wheel-drive version of the Kicks SV retails at $28,749, while an SV AWD adds $2,000. The SV livery also stands out in the small-utility segment thanks to the availability of an optional panoramic roof.

Finally, the Nissan Kicks SR Privilège starts at $34,899, which is dangerously close to the $40,000 mark. When fees and other taxes are added in, the richest Kicks far exceed them. But the latter is the best-equipped of the lot, with its pair of 12.3-inch screens, 360-degree camera system, ProPILOT Assist suite of driving aids and even that ten-speaker Bose audio system. The optional sports wheels package is interesting but costs an extra $800.

In our opinion, the Kicks SV does just enough to meet the needs of a majority of consumers without forcing them to empty their piggy bank.