The Kicks might not grab headlines, but it plays a critical role in Nissan’s lineup. In 2025, it ranked as the brand’s third best-selling vehicle, trailing only the Rogue and Sentra. With 103,575 units sold, it outpaced the Pathfinder, Ariya, Leaf, Versa, and Frontier. It’s also one of the main ways younger buyers enter the Nissan fold, and that makes a lot of sense.
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After our test of the subcompact crossover last year, we felt like it was somewhat perfect for newer drivers. It’s comfortable, well-equipped, affordable, and full of newer features and fresh styling. But that was based on limited time behind the wheel. This time, we had a full week to live with it, using it like any daily driver would.
QUICK FACTS
Sometimes that difference in time can expose issues. It can provide insight on pet peeves or perhaps disappointing fuel economy. Other times, it can elevate the experience beyond initial impressions. Read on to find out which way the Nissan Kicks went.
The Design
Nissan’s big splashy change to the Kicks compared to the old generation isn’t an engine, a gearbox, or some crazy new self-driving technology. The brand focused heavily on the styling of this crossover. It grew considerably and gained some design queues meant to call back to items like high-end sneakers and football helmets.
The boxier proportions, more upright stance, and sharper detailing give the Kicks a presence it simply didn’t have before. It fits comfortably alongside rivals like the Chevrolet Trax, Kia Seltos, and Buick Envista without looking dated or outgunned. In fact, it feels a bit buff and muscular.
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It’s not the most distinctive vehicle in the class, nor the most aggressive, but it avoids looking super generic. That’s potentially the right call for a car aimed at first-time buyers, young families, and longtime Nissan fans who want something modern and interesting without being polarizing.
A Mature Interior
If there’s one area where the Kicks consistently exceeds expectations, it’s the cabin. At this price point, interiors can sometimes feel like an afterthought, but Nissan clearly invested real effort here. The materials aren’t luxurious, but they’re solid, cohesive, and pleasing to the touch. That’s true even of the base model, but it’s especially good in this SR top trim.
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It’s not Hyundai nice, but it’s absolutely Kia nice, which is to say that it’s modern, thoughtfully designed, and good enough that it doesn’t feel overpriced. The seats are comfortable over long stints, the driving position works for a wide range of body types, and the cabin layout is intuitive enough that there’s almost no learning curve.
The infotainment system remains one of the better setups in the segment. The screens are large, bright, and responsive, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Physical buttons for key functions like volume, track skipping, and camera access are welcome, even if the touch-sensitive climate controls remain an annoyance. They work, but they still require more attention than they should.
One standout feature remains the available Bose audio system with speakers integrated into the front headrests. Over a week of commuting, errands, and highway drives, it continued to outperform nearly every rival system we’ve tested recently. It’s not just loud; it’s clear, balanced, and genuinely enjoyable.
Space is another win, at least up front. Taller drivers won’t struggle to get comfortable, and the cabin never feels claustrophobic. Rear-seat space is adequate rather than generous, and taller adults will still feel constrained, but for kids, teens, or shorter passengers, it’s perfectly usable. Cargo space, which stands at 30 cubic feet, remains a strong point, especially compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30. That figure doubles when the rear seats are folded down.
Driving Impressions
The Kicks doesn’t exist to be sporty or to climb over mountains or to corner like it’s on rails. The fact that it doesn’t pretend like those are its goals makes it better than if it did. Over the week of driving it proved to be calm, predictable, and agreeable. Steering is light but accurate, braking is confidence-inspiring, and the CVT does a commendable job of staying in the background during normal driving.
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The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces enough power for daily use, but no more than that. Acceleration is adequate rather than brisk, and passing maneuvers require a bit of planning. That said, this isn’t a car that feels stressed or underpowered in normal conditions. It simply goes about its business without drama.
Ride quality is another highlight. The Kicks absorbs potholes, rough pavement, and expansion joints better than you might expect, especially for a subcompact crossover. Over a week of mixed driving, it never felt unsettled or harsh, even on less-than-perfect roads. Notably, only the AWD version comes with the rear suspension setup we tested, so it’s plausible that the FWD version isn’t as adept.
All-wheel drive, when equipped, adds an extra layer of confidence without compromising everyday usability. Snow Mode, which keeps torque flowing to the rear wheels at all speeds, isn’t just marketing fluff. It genuinely helps reduce understeer and improves stability in slippery or fast cornering situations. Don’t mistake it for “Rally Mode,” but it’s great to see Nissan include it when they could’ve skipped it and just about nobody would’ve complained.
Fuel Economy
What Nissan couldn’t skip was a focus on fuel efficiency. While we’re still eager to see the brand actually challenge those who offer hybrids throughout the lineup, the Kicks does well without electrification. According to the EPA, this crossover should manage 28 mpg in the city, 35 on the highway, and 31 combined.
That’s essentially what we saw it do with a total combined MPG average of 30.4 despite a lot of in-city miles and a sometimes heavy foot. Let’s be real. Crossover buyers care far less about driving performance than they do about practicality. In that lens, the Kicks manages numbers that are genuinely competitive.
Competition
As good as the Kicks is when it comes to creature comforts and fuel economy, it’s the competition that really plagues it. Overall, it’s a delightful little car. The issue it faces is that it’s in one of the most competitive segments to ever exist in the automotive industry. Let’s take a quick look at the heavy hitters that the Kicks is trying to ward off.
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The Chevrolet Trax costs less and delivers an experience that is largely as good overall. It lacks AWD availability and doesn’t have as much cargo or passenger space, but it’s still an awesome value and provides a similarly polished interior. A top-tier Trax costs well under $30,000 so low-income buyers might lean that way. Warranty coverage is identical to the Kicks.
The Buick Envista is the posh version of the Trax, so everything we mentioned about the Chevy still applies outside of pricing. The cabin is nicer and pricing maxes out beneath the Kicks. Again, though, it’s not available with AWD, and like the Trax, it’s not as powerful as the Nissan.
The Kia Seltos is a worthy competitor as well. While it offers a similar cabin quality to the Kicks, it also boasts AWD availability and a powertrain with nearly 200 horsepower, along with a proper eight-speed gearbox. It’s not as nimble or enjoyable as the Mazda CX-30, but it’s closer than anything else in the segment and offers a warranty that embarrasses the rest of the segment.
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Speaking of the Mazda, it’s the driver’s car in this segment. By that, we mean that it’s the most compromised in terms of practicality AND that it’s by far the best to drive. That said, it’s also the most expensive (in Turbo guise) by some measure. Did we mention that it gets the worst fuel economy?
Final Thoughts
After a full week with the 2026 Nissan Kicks, it’s clear that this is a genuinely good vehicle. It’s efficient, comfortable, well-equipped, and easy to live with. It improves meaningfully over the previous generation and delivers on Nissan’s promise of a more mature, confident crossover.
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For young people and buyers who already trust Nissan, the Kicks makes a lot of sense. It does almost everything well and very little poorly. But in a segment overflowing with strong options, that’s no longer enough to make it the default recommendation.
At $32,160 as tested in SR trim with added options above its $27,265 base price, the Kicks is a costly proposition for its size. However, the lineup begins much lower at $22,430, or $23,925 with destination.
Still, it’s surrounded on all sides. The Trax costs less, the CX-30 drives better, the Seltos feels nicer and offers a better warranty, and the Envista blends value with refinement. The 2026 Nissan Kicks is a solid, sensible choice. Just don’t buy it without shopping around first.
