Larger, Higher, Nonetheless Inexpensive: 2025 Nissan Kicks First Drive Assessment

Buying a new vehicle has never been cheap. But, with prices hitting record levels over the last several years, many potential customers have either stayed out of the market or settled for something used. For those who’re still determined to buy something new, that usually means plenty of sacrifices.

And so it was with the prior generation of the Nissan Kicks. But the Japanese automaker has delivered some surprises with the all-new 2025 version of the little crossover.

I had a chance to pick up the 2025 Nissan Kicks at the automaker’s suburban Detroit design and engineering center to get a feel for what it’s like. Here’s what we found.

In short: The 2025 Nissan Kicks is not only larger but also decidedly more refined, with better seating, improved interior finishes and more of the technologies young buyers are looking for — even on a tight budget.

2025 Nissan Kicks Review

When the first-generation Nissan Kicks made its debut 8 years ago, it primarily had one thing going for it: the sort of bargain basement price tag that let buyers opt for something new rather than used. But they had to be ready to make plenty of sacrifices in terms of interior space, refinement, features, and performance.

While the all-new 2025 Kicks won’t be confused with a luxury model, Nissan has addressed many of those issues while still retaining the little crossover’s affordable price tag. And that gives it a leg up in a crowded and competitive segment that includes popular alternatives such as the Chevrolet Trax, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Soul. 

Nissan’s makeover translates into a bigger, roomier, and more dynamic-looking model that’s got a good chance of winning over buyers who might not have considered the brand before.

What’s New for 2025: By the Numbers

To start with, the next-generation Kicks grows bigger in all key dimensions: adding 2.3 inches in total length and 1.5 inches to its wheelbase. It’s 1.6 inches wider and 0.9 inches taller. It also adds another inch in ground clearance, which now stands at 8.4 inches.

The latter dimension should help enhance the crossover’s appeal in snowy parts of the country, suggested Zach Jeppesen, the senior product planner for the Kicks program. So will the fact that the 2025 model now is available in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations.

The engine is also new, with Nissan abandoning the prior model’s 1.6L package for a 2.0L inline-4 making an acceptable, if not awe-inspiring, 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a new Xtronic CVT gearbox. 

While we’re on the numbers, the 2025 Nissan Kicks delivers up to 28 mpg city, 35 highway, and 31 combined with the front-drive package. Across the board, fuel economy is down about 1 mpg, reflecting the fact that the bigger vehicle also puts on another 300 pounds of mass. It may not be the segment leader in fuel efficiency but those are still some acceptable figures.

What Else Has Changed

The 2025 Kicks isn’t just bigger. It gets a welcome design update, starting with a bolder, more upright front end and squared-off tail, giving it an overall boxier stance. That’s in keeping with the latest industry trends that have seen automakers return to a more classic SUV appearance, rather than the squishy, jellybean styling that had dominated the segment over the past couple of decades.

One nice addition for 2025: the ability to order Kicks with a two-tone roof, even on base models. And, depending upon trim, it can be had with a power-operated panoramic sunroof — the only nameplate in its segment to offer this option.

The new cabin is a particularly welcome update, especially in the top-line SR trim I spent time driving. The overall look is much more refined, particularly with the SR’s twin-screen display, which I’ll get back to shortly.

Unlike most of its competitors, Nissan has moved away from hard plastic surfaces wherever it can, adopting more refined, soft-touch materials. It gives the 2025 model a class-above look and feel, even on the base trim package.

The Nissan Zero Gravity seats up front are another plus, as I discovered during my initial drive. They’re far more comfortable than what you’ll find in other entry-level crossovers, especially when on long trips or crawling along in heavy traffic.

The downside: rear legroom remains a bit cramped. But you’ll find a surprising amount of cargo space, a segment-leading 30 cubic feet with the back rows up, and 60 with them folded over.

Driving Impressions

The new engine delivers 19 horsepower, or about 15%, more than what the outgoing Kicks managed. That’s not as much of a boost as you might initially expect due to the added mass of the 2025 crossover. That said, it does feel a bit more spry and responsive to a driver’s right foot. And Nissan has done a good job of tuning the new Xtronic CVT so it doesn’t suffer from the rubber band feel of the old gearbox.

I’ll look forward to testing the AWD package again this winter on snowy Michigan roads, especially since it now boasts a “Snow” mode setting that better distributes torque on low-traction surfaces.

I’d love to see Nissan offer an upgraded drivetrain because the new Kicks is a lot of fun to drive on twisty roads. Steering is predictable and reasonably precise, the platform agile, and the suspension stable, even when blasting through aggressive corners.

The brakes give it a surefooted feel, though the CUV does have a tendency to dive a bit, as I discovered hitting the pedal hard while dealing with heavy traffic.

Compared to the outgoing Nissan Kicks, the new model is a marked improvement when it comes to driving dynamics — and stands up quite well to key competitors, such as the Chevy Trax.

Kicks Technology

Let’s face it: Young buyers want smartphones on wheels, and manufacturers have to respond, even on base product lines. The base S version of the 2025 Kicks gets a pair of 7-inch screens. The midlevel SV upgrades to a 12.3-inch touchscreen. On the SR I drove, the digital gauges also grew to 12.3 inches.

The infotainment system is offered with “available” wireless” Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Look for a reasonable number of USB plugs on all trims. On the SR, Nissan has packaged in an upgraded, eight-speaker Bose audio system.

There’s a nice range of advanced driver assistance systems on all trims, and that includes an Around-View Monitor that gives the driver a bird’s-eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings. It’s a usual addition to the new-requisite backup camera.

Among options, Kicks buyers can add the Nissan ProPilot Assist system. It’s a hands-on technology designed to ease the driver’s burdens. I’m not sold on the technology, though it could make things easier, especially on long trips. I found the latest version a big improvement over earlier iterations, helping center the vehicle in its lane precisely where I would on my own.

2025 Nissan Kicks: Pricing & Availability

The 2025 Nissan Kicks is already rolling into U.S. dealer showrooms, so you should be able to find the one you want pretty easily — though you might have to order ahead of time for some two-tone paint combinations.

The second-generation crossover remains a good value, the base, front-wheel-drive S package starting at $23,220 after adding $1,390 in destination fees. All-wheel-drive comes in at an additional $1,500 — except for the SV, where it’s $1,650.

Among the handful of comparable products that offer AWD, Kicks is now the most affordable. Fully loaded, with all the option boxes checked, an AWD Kicks SR will set you back around $35,000.

Considering all the improvements Nissan has made for 2025, the second-generation Kicks has become a real standout in its class, and I’d be surprised if it doesn’t draw in a lot of new buyers.