2023 Nissan Kicks: The Kicks were released in 2018 and are still in their first generation. Up until now, not much has been needed to keep them current. The Kicks is a subcompact crossover with five seats and competitive pricing. Numerous technological features and driver-assistance systems are available; cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are included as standard equipment beginning with the basic model. The Kicks is a pleasant car since it’s reasonably priced and well-equipped but distinctive enough to show off its distinct and lively personality.
The 2023 model year of the Kicks is unaltered. The Kicks has three trim levels: S, SV, and SR (the same as those of Nissan’s Versa subcompact vehicle). The starting price for the Kicks is $21,775, and the highest price is $24,335. The SR Premium option adds simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, a steering wheel, and an improved audio system for an extra $1,390. With its two-tone color scheme, Nissan’s smallest crossover has a very appealing appearance due to its well-sculpted design.
The Kicks has competition from vehicles such as the Mazda CX-30, Hyundai Kona and Venue, Chevrolet Trailblazer, and Kia Soul in this particular sector. Compared to the Mazda (20.2 cubes) and Hyundai (19.2 cubic feet), the Kicks have a significant advantage in cargo capacity (25.3 cubic feet). While the Mazda CX-30 has a zippier engine and a more elegant interior, the Nissan Kicks begins around $3,000 cheaper than the CX-30.
A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque powers every Kicks vehicle. All of them come standard with a continuously variable gearbox and front-wheel drive. Because the Kicks are optimized for comfort, they quickly absorb small bumps and uneven terrain without detracting much from the ride. Even if the power seems little on paper, the crossover drives with surprising enthusiasm. To understand what I mean, picture a Jack Russell Terrier tugging on a leash.
The Kicks is rated at 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway by the EPA. That figure surpasses the Kona, CX-30, Kia Soul, and Chevy Trailblazer, mainly because the Kicks is a gas-only SUV rather than a hybrid. The typical three-year, 36,000-mile warranty provided by Nissan is comparable to those of Chevrolet and Mazda. However, with regular five-year, 60,000-mile basic coverage, Kia and Hyundai prevail in this contest. Nissan increased the total value of the Kicks by adding a ton of safety technology, even on the cheapest model. The Kicks is an excellent purchase for anybody seeking fantastic pricing, roomy cargo capacity, and upright seating with a decent perspective of the road.
Performance: Nissan Kicks
With 1.6 liters and four pistons, the Kicks’ engine produces a reasonable 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. The Kicks’ continuously variable gearbox only moves the front wheels, which puts it at a competitive disadvantage when compared to rivals like the Kona, CX-30, and Trailblazer, which all have all-wheel drive as an option (or, in the case of the Mazda, as standard).
Citing about town in the Kicks is more enjoyable than the statistics suggest. It turns curves quickly and without incident. It is responsive and straightforward to use. Honestly, the performance is better than anticipated at this price range. It takes less than ten seconds to reach 60 mph. Not exceptional, but also not awful.
It should be noted that the Kicks does not come with a manual gearbox, unlike the Versa, Nissan’s affordable sedan.
Fuel Efficiency: Nissan Kicks
The EPA assesses the Kicks to achieve 33 mpg combined (31 city/36 highway). That is considered superior to the CX-30, Trailblazer, Soul, and Kona. In terms of overall range, the Nissan outperforms the Kicks; when fully charged, it can go between 335 and 389 miles before running out of gas. The Nissan holds 10.5 gallons of petrol. On longer road excursions, the Kicks will need more stops at the gas station than the other vehicles in its group.
Although they both have the same engine, the Nissan Versa small car and the Kicks weigh around 200 pounds more. However, it performs somewhat worse than the Versa in the fuel economy area (35 combinations, 32 cities, 40 highways).
Driver assistance and safety:
Every Kick is equipped with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, standard with blind spot monitoring, high beam assist, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning with rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision avoidance. At this pricing point, the features are abundant and above what the Trailblazer’s basic model offers. The Kicks’ inclusion of blind spot monitoring in the basic model is crucial since its rivals limit this feature to second-level trims and above.
The 2023 Kicks were awarded a rating of four stars out of five by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). The Kicks from 2020 to 2023 also received a Good classification from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Coziness & Space:
The Kicks also comes with Nissan’s renownedly comfy and well-shaped “Zero Gravity” seats. Although they aren’t as comfortable as other Nissan models like the Rogue, Murano, or Pathfinder, they are suitable for quick to medium-distance drives in the city. With 43.7 inches of front legroom, it has more than twice as much as the Soul, CX-30, and Kona combined and 3 inches more than the Trailblazer. Additionally, the Kicks have the most excellent headroom—by at least half an inch.
Sadly, there isn’t as much room in the rear seat. With 33.4 inches of legroom, the Kicks is at least 2 inches (Kona) and up to 6 inches (Trailblazer) less roomy than any of its rivals. That may not seem like much until you’re stuck in the second row with no space to spread out after a few hours.
The small SUV has considerable road noise, partly muffling the six-speaker audio system. It’s not bad, however, and it becomes comparatively quiet as it travels down the highway.
The Kicks comes with four lower seat anchors for car seats and three top tether anchors, which will please parents of little children. Convertible seats and boosters will fit well, but installing more than one rear-facing car seat can be difficult if the driver and front-seat passenger are tall.
Infotainment: Nissan Kicks
With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, the basic model Kicks S has a 7-inch touchscreen; the SV variant has an 8-inch touchscreen. The surface reflects a terrible glare in direct sunlight, but the images are clear and straightforward. If not, it works well. On the other hand, the Mazda CX-30 and Kia Soul come with a giant touchscreen right out of the box. The cabin has three USB ports, plenty for the driver and a few more passengers.
Nissan’s straightforward infotainment system, which matches the laid-back vibe of the Kicks, is surprisingly simple and easy to use. It might make sense to upgrade to the eight-speaker Bose premium sound system if you’re musically inclined and prefer belting out songs from the rock station or the symphony while driving.
Storage & Cargo Space:
During our test drive, we traveled across Texas in the Kicks and discovered that the cargo compartment had enough space for our family of three to fit two rollaboard luggage, one duffel bag, two backpacks, a large Yeti cooler, and more. Furthermore, we had an abundance of goodies in one of the back seats, piled up to the beltline, which is somewhat lower than the window (a family road trip should always involve gobs of food).
Although the amount of storage space behind the back seats is decent for its size (25.3 cubic feet), the total volume of freight when the rear seats are folded is just 32.3 cubic feet. With the rear seats folded, the Chevy and Mazda have similar (and the Mazda’s even smaller) volume holds of 54.4 and 45.2 cubic feet, respectively.
The door pockets and front cupholders are roomy despite the tiny console. Unlike the tilted single-use water bottle area that appears in style right now, we liked that we could place our reusable water bottles and fast-food cups in the door pocket upright.
Design: Nissan Kicks
It’s okay if a quick look at the Kicks doesn’t make you a rapt fan. It may be found almost anywhere and has a place in urban and rural areas, including desert highways in West Texas. The Kicks are suitable for a few rough trails to camping or a rodeo, and they are equally at home going to the coffee shop in a shopping center. However, they are not designed for off-roading activities that stray too far off the asphalt. Again, we have a soft spot for the two-tone paint job. The exterior is visually appealing, with classic lines etched into the sides that will never go out of style.
Nissan also makes a special effort to add style to the inside, as shown by the cleverly designed dash and integrated touchscreen. The controls are reasonably positioned, and everything feels lovely in your hands.
Are the Nissan Kicks of 2023 Worth It?
SUVs are pretty popular on the market because they are very adaptable. One excellent example is the 2023 Nissan Kicks, a very economical crossover that meets all the requirements for excellent fuel efficiency, driver-assist features, technology, and luggage space. The basic model of the Kicks is a great deal at $21,775 (plus a $1,335 destination charge).
The Kicks SV, which comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, remote engine start, adaptive cruise control, and numerous other technologies, can be purchased for an additional $2,000. We believe that to be the finest value overall.
But you may think about the top-of-the-line SR, which has heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a surround-view monitor to assist with parking, and dynamic control to improve handling further. Currently, the difference between the SV and us is less than $1,000, so if you have more cash, go all the way.
How Much Does Nissan Kicks 2023 Insurance Cost?
The insurance cost for the Nissan Kicks is comparable to that of many of its rivals. The average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record is $1,981. However, this figure applies to all 50 states. In contrast, the Mazda CX-30 costs $1,871, the Chevrolet Trailblazer costs $1,788, and the Kia Soul costs $1,946.
Nissan Kicks Generations
First Generation
2018 to Present
For the 2018 model year, the Nissan Juke was replaced in the lineup by the first-generation Nissan Kicks. Nissan’s smallest SUV is the Kicks, a subcompact crossover that shares a chassis with the Versa sedan and is intended for on-road usage. It is positioned below the bigger subcompact Rogue Sport in Nissan’s range. The Kicks received new technological features and a significant stylistic makeover for 2021.
Verdict
Due in large part to its generous vertical space, the 2023 Nissan Kicks is an engaging subcompact crossover that suits drivers of all sizes well. Inexpensive and fuel-efficient, the 2023 Kicks represent a terrific investment for anyone seeking exceptional value. Although it isn’t the strongest, it has excellent pricing, enough room for goods, and upright seats with a clear road perspective.
