Is the 2025 Nissan Kicks a Good Subcompact SUV? 5 Pros, 2 Cons
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Key Points
- Cars.com editors liked the 2025 Nissan Kicks’ powertrain capability, affordable pricing, strong value, aggressive yet stylish looks and comfortable ride.
- However, editors believe stepping up to either the SV or SL trim instead of sticking with the base S is worth the upgrade, and that the continuously variable automatic transmission is noisy under hard acceleration.
With average new-car prices hovering around $50,000, affordable subcompact SUVs like the Nissan Kicks remain an increasingly popular choice. Redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Kicks retains its reasonable pricing but is transformed into an entirely different vehicle with the new generation, growing larger while bringing improved levels of comfort, refinement and features.
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More than a simple refresh, the redesigned Kicks is now a stylish and easy-to-live-with alternative to worthy competitors like the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30 and Toyota Corolla Cross. It’s also a solid value, particularly if you steer clear of the base version and go with one of the still reasonably priced (but more nicely equipped) upper trims. Though the Kicks continues largely unchanged for 2026, the base trim gets a tech upgrade that addresses one of our concerns. (Alternatively, if a new previous-generation Kicks is still something of interest to you, it’s available for 2025 rebranded as the Kicks Play.)
Cars.com West Coast Bureau Chief Conner Golden attended a drive event for the new Kicks, where he sampled one in the range-topping SR trim, and he came away impressed. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its own travel and lodging when attending such manufacturer-sponsored events.) Tap the link above for his expert review; for a quicker look, below are five things we like about the 2025 Nissan Kicks and two things we do not.
What Do We Like About the 2025 Nissan Kicks?
1. Added Capability
The reinvented Kicks gets a substantial power boost, ditching the old 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine for a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 141 horsepower and 140 pounds-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission, power is adequate despite the added noise levels and less responsive nature from the CVT than you’d get from a conventional automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available.
2. Friendly Pricing
Pricing for the 2025 Kicks starts at just $23,220 (prices include destination) for the base S trim, making it far less expensive than the average new vehicle. Still, it is fairly basic, with cloth seats, power windows, automatic headlights and a pair of 7-inch displays for the instrument panel and infotainment. For 2026, the S trim ditches the 7-inch infotainment screen in favor of the same 12.3-inch touchscreen used in other trims.
3. Strong Value
Stepping up to the SV trim costs less than $2,000 and gets you meaningful features, including the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless device charging, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Our top SR trim test vehicle included additional niceties like synthetic leather upholstery, automatic climate control and even Bose speakers in the front passenger head restraints — all for a starting price of $27,570.
4. Upscale Look
Looks are always in the eye of the beholder, but the new Kicks presents a more aggressive and stylish exterior than its predecessor. It’s emphasized by a contrasting red roof and side mirrors on our dark-gray test vehicle; other available roof colors include black or gray. Blocky 17-inch wheels and a bold grille add to the vibe and help make the Kicks look like it’s punching above its weight.
5. Easy Driver
The redesigned Kicks rides well for a subcompact SUV, with controlled body motions and good isolation from bumps. Added sound insulation helps keep the cabin quiet in normal driving, though hard acceleration is another matter, particularly at speed. The steering is light and doesn’t provide much feedback, but the brakes are strong and easy to modulate.
Read More About the Nissan Kicks:
- How Much Is the 2026 Nissan Kicks?
- IIHS Crash-Tests 11 More Vehicles, 3 Earn Top Safety Pick+ Awards
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2025 Nissan Kicks?
- Here Are the 10 Cheapest New SUVs You Can Buy Right Now
- 2025 Nissan Kicks Up Close: Maturing, But Not Too Much
What Do We Dislike About the 2025 Nissan Kicks?
1. Skip the S
A low starting price adds to the appeal of the new Kicks in the base S trim, but we’d counsel against going that route. Unless the bottom line is your only concern, we think stepping up to either the SV or SL trim is well worth the modest price increase and will pay off with a more enjoyable ownership experience for the long haul.
2. CVT Blues
With its relatively modest power and CVT, it’s evident the Kicks’ powertrain is working hard when pushed. Normal driving is fine, but under hard acceleration, the CVT causes the engine to operate longer at higher revs, resulting in an unpleasant and noisy soundtrack. (In fairness to Nissan, others in the class suffer from the same thing.)
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Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
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