2025 Nissan Kicks First Drive Review
The entry-level crossover gets significant updates with new styling, a roomier interior, and available all-wheel drive.
Perry Stern
Nissan has fixed nearly everything that was broken about the original Kicks. The lowest-priced SUV in the automaker's lineup, the redesigned 2025 Nissan Kicks boasts an appealing design, a roomier interior with upgraded technology, a more powerful engine, and for the first time, an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
Despite the significant changes to the 2025 Kicks, Nissan is holding the line on price. The base Kicks S starts at less than $24,000, while the top-level Kicks SR AWD costs just over $29,000. Those prices include the destination charge to ship the Kicks from its assembly plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to your local dealership.
Continued affordability and available AWD should ensure the all-new Kicks is more popular with entry-level SUV buyers. Unfortunately, even with the larger and more powerful engine, the 2025 Kicks still suffers from sluggish acceleration. That's the only downside to an otherwise appealing small crossover with plenty of upside.
Perry Stern
What's New for the 2025 Nissan Kicks
The redesigned Kicks looks much different from its predecessor. Built on a new global platform, larger in every dimension, and boasting a ground clearance of 8.4 inches, the 2025 Kicks has a fresh, modern look sure to appeal to consumers. Nissan engineered that new platform to improve driving dynamics while increasing the interior space for passengers and cargo. It also allowed the company to add AWD to the Kicks, a feature absent from the previous-generation model.
Climb into the Kicks, and you'll find additional dramatic enhancements. The cabin's clean design, available dual 12.3-inch display screens, and Zero Gravity seats make the Kicks a pleasant place to spend time. Front and rear comfort and support are excellent, and the Kicks provides plenty of utility. You'll find up to 30 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the back seat (23.9 cu-ft with AWD), doubling to a maximum of 60 cu-ft with the seats folded down.
For this Kicks review, I drove an SR AWD in Farmington Hills, Michigan. My test vehicle featured the Premium Package, splash guards, floor mats, and two-tone paint, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $31,710, including the $1,390 destination charge.
Perry Stern
There's More Power, but Is It Enough?
The 2025 Kicks gets a larger, more powerful standard engine. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivers 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 19 horses and 36 lb-ft compared with the previous Kicks. A new continuously variable automatic transmission powers the SUV's front wheels, but you'll want the optional AWD system for enhanced traction in poor weather or when off-roading. Choosing AWD adds a Snow mode to the Kicks.
This new Kicks may have more power than its predecessor, but it must also work harder. My SR AWD test vehicle weighed 528 pounds more than the previous SR FWD. That's a significant increase. As a result, acceleration remains disappointing despite the larger and more powerful engine. Mashing the accelerator pedal to the floor doesn't produce much propulsion, teaching me I needed plenty of space before attempting to pull onto busy roads.
In addition to its lack of satisfactory oomph, the engine misses the mark regarding promised efficiency. The Kicks AWD earns EPA fuel-economy ratings of 27/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined. Unfortunately, my prodding of the powertrain to provide something resembling acceleration took a toll on gas mileage. At the end of my evaluation, the trip computer indicated an average of just 26 mpg.
If the added weight erases any advantages the larger engine might offer, it doesn't seem to upset the driving dynamics. My Kicks SR AWD handled well with quick steering response, and the new multilink rear suspension helped deliver a confident ride, even on rough roads.
Perry Stern
Improved Interior With Updated Technology
The 2025 Nissan Kicks stands out with its extensive list of standard and available advanced driver-assistance systems. For example, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking are standard on all trim levels.
More advanced features are available, including Pro Pilot Assist, which combines lane-centering assist and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality to provide a semi-autonomous, hands-on driving experience. A first for the Kicks but only available on the top-level SR, Pro Pilot Assist worked smoothly and accurately, keeping me centered in the lane and handling stop-and-go traffic without a problem.
The base Kicks S has a 7.0-inch digital driver display and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Upgrade to the Kicks SV or SR, and you'll get a new 12.3-inch driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, adding a premium, high-tech look to the Kicks' interior.
Basic but easy to navigate, the larger display features a home screen with quick access to audio and phone functions, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is standard with the larger screen. The top-level Kicks SR offers additional high-end features that seem out of place for an entry-level crossover. They include a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system with speakers in the headrests and a panoramic sunroof.
Perry Stern
Stacking Up Against the Competition
The 2025 Nissan Kicks is all grown up, with a premium appearance inside and out, an impressive list of features and technologies, and an available AWD system. Those improvements should help the Kicks grab a larger share of the small crossover SUV market from rivals like the Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, and Kia Seltos. All that's missing is an engine providing decent acceleration and better fuel economy.
Nissan provided the vehicle for this 2025 Kicks review.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Perry SternI have loved cars and trucks since childhood, and that fascination with anything that drives is just as strong today. As a teenager, I knew I wanted to become an automotive journalist, and during the past three decades, I have driven, written about, and photographed all manner of automobiles ranging from affordable econocars to exotic supercars. With the idea that there is a perfect car, truck, or SUV for everyone, my goal is to help consumers determine the right one for their wants and needs.
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