2025 Nissan Kicks

Wow, talk about a glow-up. The 2025 Nissan Kicks ditches frump for flair in its second generation, with a look that's immediately more appealing. From the available tri-bar running lights to the two-tone color scheme and the squared-off haunches around the taillights, the 2025 Kicks sort of looks like a Japanese concept car from the early 2000s. That's a good thing, we promise.

Nissan puffed up the Kicks for its second generation, better filling out the bottom end of the company's SUV lineup. (The Rogue Sport is dead, remember.) By the tape measure, the new Kicks is 2.8 inches in length, 1.6 inches in width and 0.9 inch in height, riding on a 1.5-inch longer wheelbase. It also gains a full 1.4 inches of ground clearance (now totaling 8.4 inches), for a great stance.

During a preview event in Long Beach, California, Ken Lee, Nissan's senior design director, told us that while boxy SUVs are back in fashion, he didn't want to go this route. During the early sketching phase, "We did some of those, too," Lee told us, ultimately scrapping those proposals. Honestly, we think the end result is pretty clutch.

The new Kicks isn't just more appealing visually, though; there's a lot of improved substance to back up this style. Unlike its predecessor, the Kicks will be available with all-wheel drive — on all trim levels, too — and tech features like Nissan's ProPilot Assist and a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays.

Of course, the Kicks' strongest selling point has always been its bargain price; it often undercuts competitors even in this value-oriented segment. That remains true for the redesigned Kicks. Its starting price of $23,220 is relatively low, and you have to tick pretty much every option box to cross the $30,000 threshold.

What's under the hood?

The Kicks gets a new 2.0-liter inline-four that makes 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers won't set your hair on fire, but they're still improvements of 19 hp and 26 lb-ft compared to the old Kicks. That said, the Kicks is now 358 pounds heavier in its base trim for this generation, so that extra oomph has added heft to lug around.

Every Kicks comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (with AWD optional on every grade). That's a neat play by Nissan, especially since a key rival, the Chevrolet Trax, exclusively uses front-wheel drive.

How does it drive?

Our route took us through hills, winding roads, highways and city streets. The Kicks handled every surface well. Steering was especially light but precise. Acceleration was tepid, though, and I noticed it struggle a bit on hills. The inline-four just doesn’t have sufficient power, and there's no option for a more potent powertrain. Mazda CX-30 aside, a ho-hum engine is par for the course in this class; as with other subcompact SUVs, this is a commuter with just enough zip to get you from point A to point B. Braking is a cinch; there’s not much pedal travel required and you can feel the brakes bite quickly when you press the pedal.

My drive through the environs of Santa Barbara was mostly comfortable. The ride quality is soft enough and does not feel bouncy at all, and Nissan's Zero G seats continue to be a standout. Fuel efficiency is also a positive in this little SUV. Front-wheel-drive models are rated at 31 mpg combined (28 city/35 highway), while AWD decreases efficiency to 30 mpg combined (27 city/34 highway).

How's the interior?

The Kicks’ previous interior was outdated and dull. The 2025 Kicks resets expectations, highlighted by an eye-catching dual-screen setup for the instrument panel and infotainment system. You’ll find a 7-inch touchscreen in the S trim, while the SV upgrades the infotainment screen to a larger 12.3-inch unit. The digital instrument panel measures 7 inches in the S and SV trims, while the SR steps it up to a 12.3-inch unit with a sharp, clear image. They're mounted low on the dash and don't impede the driver's forward view.

The rest of the cabin has improved materials and a design that feels contemporary and stylish. There’s even an ambient light bar that runs through the door panels and dashboard.

Nissan's exceptional Zero Gravity seats are present in both rows, and I thought they were soft and comfortable enough for long drives. An optional panoramic sunroof, which is a rarity in this class, adds to the upscale vibe. You also get neat tech touches, like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless charging pad, which are included on SV and SR models. The Bose audio system is another noteworthy feature; it delivers phenomenal sound, with headrest speakers that make a huge impact on the resonance.

One thing I found disappointing about the new interior is that storage room is still scarce. You get two cupholders and a very small storage compartment in the center console. There's no clever storage area under the console, either, because the Kicks continues to use a mechanical gear selector rather than an electronic one, so all those bits and pieces have to go somewhere.

Space in both rows is adequate, however, and since the overall footprint of the car has grown, the interior is more spacious. Cargo space is now larger with up to 30 cubic feet with the second row up, and up to 60 cubic feet with the bench folded down.

How's the tech?

Standard driver assistance features include the usual roster of modern tech: blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and more. Only the most expensive SR trim has primo aids such as lane departure prevention, traffic sign recognition and oncoming traffic assist. It also gets Nissan's ProPilot Assist, which takes over the steering, throttle and braking duties at low speeds — great for when you're stuck in traffic.

Competitors to consider

Because the Kicks is larger than before, it competes with a wider array of small SUVs. Everything from the aforementioned Chevy Trax to the Honda HR-V to the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos are fair game.

With its mega styling upgrade, added tech and available all-wheel drive, the Kicks is better poised than ever to be a hit in the small SUV space.