Nissan has been struggling as of late, but that doesn’t mean the Japanese automaker is closing up shop just yet. While executives are talking about merger deals and partnerships to save the company from going out of business, the vehicle design teams and production lines are still hard at work.
Nissan
Competing in the heavily contested subcompact crossover segment, the Nissan Kicks broke onto the scene for the 2018 model year, replacing the Juke as the brand’s smallest crossover. As it turns out, small but mighty may seem to define the Kicks, but is it worth that $21,830 price tag?
Nissan
The 2025 Nissan Kicks arrives completely redesigned with a fun-sized personality
Redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Nissan Kicks modernizes its design and gets a new engine. There are a handful of new options on the docket as well, with all-wheel drive making the list. The cabin remains a practical one with Nissan’s zero gravity seats in the front and rear, as well as an updated infotainment system to boot.
Nissan
The 2025 Nissan Kicks starts at $21,830 and rolls out with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive comes standard, but you can upgrade to all-wheel drive for an additional $1,500. FWD models are rated for 28 city mpg, 35 highway mpg, and 31 combined mpg. If you opt for AWD, fuel economy drops by one mile per gallon across the board.
As far as rivals go, the Nissan Kicks manages to undercut most, but not all, in price. The 2025 Chevrolet Trax starts at $20,400, comes powered by a 137-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and earns up to 30 combined mpg. The 2025 Kia Soul starts at $20,490, features a 147-horsepower engine, and is rated for 30 combined mpg.
Funnily enough, if you don’t like the redesigned Nissan Kicks, you can still get the previous generation under the Kicks Play moniker. It’s only available in one trim with a single powertrain and is currently on sale in Canada, but it’s expected to hit dealer lots in the United States later this year.
Per Nissan, the Kicks Play will go on sale in the United States in early 2025 with a starting price of $21,520 MSRP. In terms of tech, the subcompact crossover will come stocked with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch touchscreen display, and three USB ports. The Kicks Play rides on 16-inch wheels that help it offer best-in-class fuel economy, making it a great choice for cost-conscious and eco-friendly drivers.
Which of the Nissan Kicks’ rivals is the most competitive?
In its price range, the 2025 Nissan Kicks doesn’t have that many competitors. Models like the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen Taos both start at $24,995, making them a pretty penny more expensive than the Nissan Kicks.
Nissan
In terms of price, the Nissan Kicks sits right above the Chevrolet Trax, which starts at $20,400, the Kia Soul, available from $20,490, and the Hyundai Venue, with its $20,100 MSRP. Even so, all three make great competitors, but it’s the Kia Soul that makes for the best rival.
There’s a $1,340 difference between the Nissan Kicks and Kia Soul, with the former being the more expensive model. There are a handful of main differences, namely that the Kia Soul isn’t available with all-wheel drive. The Soul comes packed with a sleek set of standard safety systems, while the Kicks features a rather meager selection.
In terms of infotainment, the Kia Soul takes the podium with a standard eight-inch touchscreen display, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Nissan Kicks offers a standard seven-inch touchscreen display, but you can upgrade to a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for a little extra. The Soul also features six speakers, whereas the Kicks offers just four.
Notably, the Kicks has the benefit of a more comfortable ride in a value package. For the 2025 model year, Nissan’s subcompact crossover boasts the brand’s zero gravity seats in both the front and rear. The Soul isn’t out of the running, though, especially considering its Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) is typically more responsive and quieter than Nissan’s Xtronic CVT.
As far as performance and efficiency go, the Kicks has an edge in the latter category, earning up to 31 combined mpg versus the Soul’s 30 combined mpg. In performance, the two models are nearly identical. The Kicks delivers 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, while the Soul arrives with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque.
When it comes to exterior styling, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Both the Kicks and Soul feature some unique styling cues, and it isn’t my place to judge here. The Kia Soul rides low with 6.7 inches of ground clearance, while the Nissan Kicks sits a bit higher, coming in at 8.4 inches. Both subcompact crossovers offer a vehicle turning circle diameter of 34.8 feet and ride on 16-inch wheels.
Final thoughts
Redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Nissan Kicks is a pretty sweet deal. Starting at $21,830, it comes with decent enough power and efficiency that make it a competitive model in that regard.
Nissan
When it comes to features, the subcompact crossover has plenty of goodies to go around, but most will cost you extra. Even so, an optional all-wheel drivetrain and infotainment upgrades can be pretty enticing. That’s great and all, but adding just a few of those optional features will put the Kicks in competition with the likes of the Mazda CX-30.
If you need a small crossover on a budget, the 2025 Nissan Kicks fits the bill. Upgrading to the mid-tier SV trim, available from $23,680, will add popular options, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. At that price, however, there are better subcompact crossovers to choose from, including the 2025 Kia Soul and Seltos.
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About the author
Joseph Pudlewski
Contributing Writer, Autoblog