2025 Nissan Kicks First Drive Review

The subcompact crossover segment is among the largest, and the 2025 Nissan Kicks is determined to make its mark in it.

Moving into its second generation, the Kicks now has more mature styling and a longer list of features. While it’s a bit larger than the version it replaces, which initially arrived as an all-new model in Canada for 2018, it’s still a city-friendly subcompact made for tight urban quarters.

Built on a new and stiffer platform, the Kicks also gets a new engine and, for the first time, available all-wheel drive (AWD). 

New Lineup

The 2025 Kicks comes in three trim levels: S, SV, and SR Premium. The outgoing model was powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder engine that made 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. The new version trades that for a 2.0L four-cylinder that makes 141 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque.

As before, it’s mated to an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT), but this is a new version designed for better acceleration and fuel efficiency. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) models are officially rated to consume 7.4 L/100 km in combined driving — slightly more than the departing Kicks — while opting for AWD pushes that figure to 7.7.

The S and SV come standard with FWD but can be optioned with AWD, while the SR Premium is AWD-only. The system primarily drives the front wheels, but can send up to 50 per cent of the available torque to the rear wheels as needed. Some vehicles do this once they detect wheel slip, but the Kicks monitors how you’re driving and adjusts the torque split to proactively avoid traction loss. Models with AWD also have a drive mode setting for snow to better adapt to slippery surfaces.

New Looks

The Kicks gets a handsome redesign, its face accented with light strips alongside the horizontal grille, and brightwork roof accents for a “floating” look. The curved upper fenders and flat hood make it easier for drivers to determine just where the front end is, which is helpful when navigating tighter spots. The rear is visually tied together with full-width LED lights up top and dark accents below. The base S has 16-inch wheels, while the SV and SR Premium have 17-inch rims.

New Cabin

The Kicks’s new dash is focused around a standard 12.3-inch centre touchscreen. In the SR Premium, it’s seamlessly integrated with a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument display housed under a single pane. The two lower trims have a seven-inch instrument cluster. All trims include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; and all include two USB-C ports up front, while the SR Premium adds two more in the back.

There are deep cup holders and a flat-bottom steering wheel, and in the SV and SR Premium, a wireless charger and automatic climate control. Tested here was the SR Premium, which adds an auto-dimming mirror, red accent stitching, and a lower dash panel that’s soft-touch but looks like carbon fibre.

The SR Premium also has an upgraded audio system with speakers in the front head restraints for surround sound. That’s an improvement over the outgoing Kicks, which gave the driver a speaker but not the passenger.

Nissan has long offered its so-called “zero gravity” seats, which reduce pressure points and stay comfortable on long drives. The Kicks now puts them in the rear outboard positions as well. The S and SV get cloth upholstery, while the SR Premium has faux-leather with cloth inserts. 

The 2025 Kicks has grown by 56 mm (2.2 in) in overall length. Front-seat legroom is marginally shorter but still roomy, while the rear-seat foot space increases a bit. Cargo space makes the largest jump, by as much as an extra 133 L. Depending on FWD or AWD, cargo volume ranges from 677 to 850 L with the rear seats up, and as much as 1,700 L when they’re folded down.

New Driver Assistance

All trims come standard with a package called Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes emergency front and rear braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlights, plus adaptive cruise control. 

The SR Premium further adds lane-keep assist, blind-spot steering intervention, front parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, surround-view cameras, and an additional airbag between the front seats. It also receives ProPilot Assist, a first for the Kicks, which combines adaptive cruise with lane centring to help with highway driving, although you still have to keep your hands on the wheel.

New Driving Feel

It’s a considerable improvement over the outgoing model from behind the wheel. The new engine and transmission give it a peppy feel in urban driving. The engine is noisy during hard acceleration, and a little wheezy when you really wind it out on the highway, but it’s fine for everyday driving. It feels solid but not heavy, and it’s responsive and offers good steering feel. The turning circle is tight and it’s easy to park. Attention was paid to noise reduction, and the cabin is quieter than before.

With the AWD version there’s a larger front stabilizer bar, and multi-link rear suspension instead of the FWD version’s torsion beam that mounts the wheels on either end of a single piece of steel with coil springs on either end. Over a stretch of rougher road, the AWD version had a smoother ride and felt more buttoned-down over bumps.

New Pricing

The 2025 Kicks starts in S trim and FWD at $29,229, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,030; while the SV FWD is $30,779. On both, AWD adds $2,000. The SV further offers a Premium Package with panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and more for $800. The SR Premium AWD is $36,929. Its sole option is switching its 17-inch wheels to 19-inch units for $800.

Final Thoughts

Very little in this entry-level segment of crossovers actually feels like it these days, as automakers adapt to safety and efficiency requirements, and add the technology consumers want. The 2025 Nissan Kicks faces numerous competitors, and they’re all regularly updated to stay relevant. Still, for its features and performance, this new Kicks looks like it should easily hold its own.