When I drove the Nissan Kicks a while back, I really liked what Nissan did to the subcompact crossover. Admittedly, it was a head-scratcher that at that time the stylish little Ute came nicely equipped, but not with AWD.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks just hit my driveway with AWD finally available. That addition opens this smaller crossover up to more buyers, especially those who need AWD this time of the year. I had plenty of snow to try the AWD system on, and the Kicks was up to the task.
The Kicks’ performance has also improved on dry roads, offering a more refined ride with less shuttering on bumpy roads. One area where it still falls a bit short is power. There is more than before but it’s still slower than some of the competition.
What really moved me is the interior. The fit and finish is a big improvement with higher quality materials used in more places your eyes see and fingers touch. Better front seats provide more comfort than before. There is more space, with added head and legroom in the backseat. For its small size, the Kicks offers a decent amount of cargo space. A new infotainment system with a larger screen completes the improved interior.
There’s a significant transformation on the outside for 2025 as well. It shares more elements with the latest redesigned Nissan SUVs and EVs, with a new grill design where the LED lighting looks like it’s part of the front grill. The SR trim-level Kicks adds larger 19-inch wheels and a mix of black-and-chrome trim pieces. The upgrades add to the sporty look of this more grown-up version of the Kicks.
Cost: $27,680; as tested $32,065
MPG: 27 mpg city; 34 mpg highway. I managed 28.6 in 387 miles of mixed driving.
Options: $1,950 SR AWD premium package; $250 splash guards; $605 19-inch alloy wheels; $190 floor mats
Safety: ProPilot Assist & Navi link; steering assist; intelligent cruise control with full speed; automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection; intelligent forward collision warning; rear automatic braking; blind spot warning; rear cross traffic alert; lane departure warning; intelligent lane intervention; high beam assist; traffic sign recognition; rear door alert
Things to know: Nissan remade the small Nissan Kicks. A fresh look, improved interior plus optional AWD make this a viable year-round crossover.
Pros:
- Bold styling will help the Kicks get noticed in smaller crossover market
- Better interior with more space and better seats
- Gets good fuel economy even when equipped with AWD
Cons:
- There is some wind noise at highway speeds
- Taller passengers may find back seat legroom lacking
- There’s not much power available from the four-cylinder engine
