2023 Nissan Kicks Review
Price Range: $9,900 - $26,995
View 128 more photos
View 128 more photos360°
View 128 more photos
View 128 more photos
View 128 more photos+124
Average
7.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2023 Kicks is stylish and offers some of the best features and tech for the money in the extra-small SUV class. It's fuel-efficient, easy to park, and even kind of fun to drive on a curvy road. But it falls short of its competition when it comes to comfort and measurable performance.
Price & Payment
Changing year will take you to a new page
Average price: $19,601
$
to$
Price
Pros
- Lots of driver assist tech is standard
- Affordably priced
- High fuel economy
- Easy-to-use controls
Cons
- Leisurely acceleration
- Uncomfortable seats
- Not much rear legroom
- No optional all-wheel drive
What's new
- No significant changes for 2023
- Part of the first Kicks generation introduced for 2018
Overview
The 2023 Nissan Kicks is an extra-small SUV that's well suited for urban environments but perhaps not the best companion for a mild off-road excursion. The Kicks is one of only a handful of vehicles in its class to not offer all-wheel drive, and its four-cylinder engine will probably leave you wanting more power. Still, the Kicks is Nissan's smallest and most affordable SUV option, and it comes with a solid list of standard features that are attractive if you're on a budget.
For sale near Ashburn, VA
944 listings
- $14,488great price$2,173 below market
- 89,465 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 31 City / 36 Hwy MPG
- Heritage Honda of Westminster (46 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Upgraded Headlights
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Westminster, MD
*Your additional costs are tax, tag, title, registration, and electronic filing fees, and any other applicable state-imposed fees for the state in whi...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
33 Combined MPG (31 City/36 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3N1CP5DV9PL499652
Stock: MP499652
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-02-2026 - $17,801good price$825 below market
- 25,430 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, rental vehicle
- 31 City / 36 Hwy MPG
- DARCARS Kia of Frederick (25 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Frederick, MD
Experience the perfect blend of style, technology, and efficiency with the 2023 Nissan Kicks SV. This compact crossover is designed to elevate your dr...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
33 Combined MPG (31 City/36 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 3N1CP5CVXPL567569
Stock: P1H0807A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-04-2026
If you're interested in the Nissan Kicks, you might also consider a Hyundai Venue or Kia Soul — they too have low starting prices and make do without all-wheel drive. But if you can raise your budget a little, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona are also worth a look. Before you decide, check out our test team's Expert Rating to find out how the Nissan Kicks measures up to its competitors.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Average
7.4
out of 10
We drove the 2023 Nissan Kicks on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
7/10
How does the Kicks drive? Performance isn't the Kicks' forte. Acceleration is leisurely — we measured a 0-60 mph time of 10.7 seconds, which is among the slowest you'll find in this class. The brakes are easy to control so you can stop smoothly, but the pedal action feels a bit squishy and unnatural. In our tests for emergency braking, the Kicks performed adequately.
The Kicks, though, has a couple of things going for it. The suspension is responsive and keeps the vehicle composed, so it's kind of fun to drive on a twisty road. We also like the transmission's smooth and responsive gear ratio adjustments in routine driving. It avoids the annoyances commonly associated with continuously variable transmissions.
The Kicks, though, has a couple of things going for it. The suspension is responsive and keeps the vehicle composed, so it's kind of fun to drive on a twisty road. We also like the transmission's smooth and responsive gear ratio adjustments in routine driving. It avoids the annoyances commonly associated with continuously variable transmissions.
Comfort
6.5/10
How comfortable is the Kicks? It's not unusual for an inexpensive subcompact vehicle to compromise a bit on comfort, but you will want to kick these poor seats — especially the rear bench — to the curb. Depending on your seating position, you'll likely notice the front seats' lack of upper-back support. The rear seatbacks are too upright, and the bench is flat and hard. These are among the least comfortable seats we've encountered.
The Kicks can be a little noisy too. Wind noise isn't too bad and only becomes more noticeable at highway speeds. But the Kicks is susceptible to lots of road noise. About the only good thing in this category is the Kicks' compliant ride quality — it smooths out a lot of bumps in the road without being overly floaty.
The Kicks can be a little noisy too. Wind noise isn't too bad and only becomes more noticeable at highway speeds. But the Kicks is susceptible to lots of road noise. About the only good thing in this category is the Kicks' compliant ride quality — it smooths out a lot of bumps in the road without being overly floaty.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The Kicks' cabin is easy to climb in and out of and become familiar with. The climate control and touchscreen menus are simple and user-friendly. It's easy to see out of the front and the sides thanks to large windows and a low hoodline. The thick rear roof pillars compromise rear visibility somewhat, but it isn't terrible.
On the downside, taller drivers or drivers with big feet might have issues with the driving position. The accelerator pedal is crowded up against the side of the footwell, and the low, upright seating position can be uncomfortable. We've also found the Kicks' rear seating to be cramped compared to the back seats in other extra-small SUVs.
On the downside, taller drivers or drivers with big feet might have issues with the driving position. The accelerator pedal is crowded up against the side of the footwell, and the low, upright seating position can be uncomfortable. We've also found the Kicks' rear seating to be cramped compared to the back seats in other extra-small SUVs.
Technology
8/10
How’s the tech? The Kicks has nearly everything a modern smartphone-using driver needs. A quartet of USB ports is standard, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. A 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen is also standard depending on the trim level. But we've found the touchscreen prone to glare, which makes it difficult to see in direct sunlight.
The Kicks comes standard with a pleasing number of advanced driving aids. They generally work well, but the traffic-adaptive cruise control is a bit overly cautious in maintaining a distance between the Kicks and the vehicle ahead. The optional surround-view parking camera system is a rare feature at this price point, and it's a big help for parking in tight spots. Overall, there's a lot of cool tech for such an inexpensive car.
The Kicks comes standard with a pleasing number of advanced driving aids. They generally work well, but the traffic-adaptive cruise control is a bit overly cautious in maintaining a distance between the Kicks and the vehicle ahead. The optional surround-view parking camera system is a rare feature at this price point, and it's a big help for parking in tight spots. Overall, there's a lot of cool tech for such an inexpensive car.
Storage
7.5/10
How’s the storage? The Kicks offers more cargo space (25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats) than a lot of subcompact SUVs. But cargo-carrying versatility is a little lacking. The rear seats don't fold down completely flat, and there's no center pass-through that would otherwise allow you to load longer items without folding down the seats. Small storage areas for your personal items are decent. There's a nicely sized pocket in front of the gear shifter and a configurable cupholder area that can be turned into a medium-size storage cubby if you need it. The center console storage and door pockets are shallow.
Got small children and need to install child safety seats? The Kicks has three top tether anchors and four lower seat anchors that are clearly marked and accessible. However, fitting rear-facing seats will be tight because of the Kicks' lack of rear legroom.
Got small children and need to install child safety seats? The Kicks has three top tether anchors and four lower seat anchors that are clearly marked and accessible. However, fitting rear-facing seats will be tight because of the Kicks' lack of rear legroom.
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Kicks' fuel economy varies wildly based on driving style, but it doesn't take much to keep the average above 30 mpg. We recorded a high of 37.4 mpg from one fill-up with our test car and averaged 33.4 mpg during our test. The EPA says to expect 33 mpg combined (31 city/36 highway). Overall this is a pretty frugal extra-small SUV.
Value
8/10
Is the Kicks a good value? Value is the name of the game for this segment, and the Kicks is ahead of the class thanks to its low entry price and relatively inexpensive upgrades to higher, fully loaded trims. We don't like the acres of plastic used on the door panels and dash area, but there are enough premium materials in other areas of the cabin to create a more pleasant experience.
Warranty coverage is pretty standard for the segment at three years/36,000 miles for the basic warranty and five years/60,000 miles for the powertrain. Roadside assistance is offered for three years/36,000 miles.
Warranty coverage is pretty standard for the segment at three years/36,000 miles for the basic warranty and five years/60,000 miles for the powertrain. Roadside assistance is offered for three years/36,000 miles.
Wildcard
7.5/10
There's no shortage of subcompact SUVs on the market so a vehicle needs to make an impression to stand out. The Kicks makes a case for itself with a stylish exterior design and an updated interior that includes a respectably large touchscreen. It feels good to maneuver through a curvy section of road even if you aren't ultimately going very fast. Quicker acceleration and less excessive use of plastic interior surfacing would go a long way in making the Kicks a more desirable option.
2023 Nissan Kicks trim level differences
The 2023 Nissan Kicks is a subcompact SUV available in S, SV and SR trim levels. They all come with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (122 horsepower, 114 lb-ft of torque), a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. Feature highlights include: Compare the 2023 Nissan Kicks trim levels in-depth.
Which Kicks trim does Edmunds recommend?
We suggest you check out the midlevel SV trim. It gets you upgraded brakes, a better infotainment system, and a range of features that make it more enjoyable to live with.

The Sub-$30,000 Nissan Leaf S Is Dead Before It Even Shows Up

2026 Nissan Rogue: Driven, Tested, Rated

A Nissan Rogue Hybrid Is Coming Later This Year. Here's Everything We Know

Edmunds Tested: Electric Car Range and Consumption
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$124/mo for Kicks S
Kicks S
vs
$185/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Reliability
The 2023 Nissan Kicks has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
1 recall foundChecking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
- Recall Number:
- 24V154000
- Manufacturer Recall Number:
- PD103, PD1
- Number of vehicles affected:
- 351
- Defect Description:
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
- Defect Consequence:
- An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Corrective Action:
- Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD104, and PMA34.
Warranty
3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty- Basic Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
- Drivetrain Warranty
- 5 years / 60,000 miles
- Rust Warranty
- 5 years / unlimited miles
- Roadside assistance Warranty
- 3 years / 36,000 miles
Nissan Kicks Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(64%)
4(11%)
3(11%)
2(8%)
1(6%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Malfunction Rear Sensors & Rear Automatic Brake
1 out of 5 starsJoliet IL, 07/14/2023
2023 Nissan Kicks SV 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
2023 Kicks SV is Affordable and spacious. Dashboard Warning appeared on dashboard within four weeks after purchase. Rear sensors not operable. Received diagnostic trouble codes C1B56-04 and B2720-66. Attempted to receive diagnostic test and repair four times from two different locations. Received more assistance from dealership other than the one I actually purchased my vehicle. Both … dealerships stated they need to keep my vehicle for 1.5 days to complete testing. Both dealerships continued to state wires were damaged by rodent in March. There were no rodent or any other damage. Vehicle is defective. Two other 2023 Nissan Kicks SV purchased from same location are experiencing same problems. One of the vehicles also have problem with the horn. Nissan will not repair problem with my vehicle and one other one I mentioned. Now I understand why same vehicle was brought in for trade-in the day I purchased mine. Unfortunately, I didn't research before purchase. Everyday error warning messages appear on my dashboard after starting my vehicle. The Nissan Kicks is flawed by design. I noticed black tape was used to wrap many wires. Based on research many, many people are having problems with sensors, either front or rear and automatic braking system. DO NOT BELIEVE a rodent or bad road damaged your vehicle. Problems you are experiencing are due to defective manufacturing. More people need to come forward to describe problems they are experiencing. Nissan needs to do the right thing by issuing a recall on defective vehicles. Various vehicles are defective according to research going back to 2015. People, please report problems you are experiencing. This is an electrical problem which may become worse over time. All three Kicks were purchased at Thomas Nissan, Joliet, Illinois.
My time with a Kicks
4 out of 5 starsChristopher Quint, 06/20/2023
2023 Nissan Kicks SV 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
I dont own a Kicks but I did rent one for a decent amount of time for travels all over the western US. I found the Kicks to be comfortable and pleasant to drive. It rode well over bad roads, handled fine in heavy rain, and even took it off road over gravel and dirt roads with deep sand and it pulled through just fine.
The interior was nothing special, but not bad either and it was … comfortable enough and we had more than enough space. Personally I had no problems with seat comfort even on 5-6 hour drives so I'm not sure where the complains about that come from, the entertainment system worked well, and we had plenty of room for coolers, suitcases, and everything else we needed.
The brakes, steering, and handling were all good, and I thought it drove very well. The CVT transmission was a big step up from some others I have driven from other manufacturers. The engine was nothing to write home about, it was smooth and quiet enough, but seriously lacking in power at times. Driving through the mountains at high elevations had my foot flat on the floor many times. Passing someone was out of the question and just keeping up with traffic took a bit of effort depending how hilly the roads were. Down at lower elevations around town however, there was plenty enough get up and go. You certainly arent going to win any races, but it was plenty adequate. Gas mileage was outstanding for a small SUV. I was seriously impressed by how well it did, way better than I ever expected. Even when the gas gauge got low, the smallish gas tank made filling up a lot less painful than it could have been.
Overall, this is a pretty solid effort from Nissan. I just wish the engine had been a little more powerful, that was really my only complaint. At this price point, I'd say this is a really good value and worth checking out.
Ok, but underpowered and MPG is marginal
4 out of 5 starsNossanFan, 09/30/2023
2023 Nissan Kicks SR 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
Pro: Decent front and rear seating space; adequate cargo space; hatchback is a plus.
Con: lack of power causes sluggish acceleration, also limits mileage to drop when speed exceeds 65 mph.
Owned this car for three months. We exclusively own Nissan vehicles (3 currently and 10 in the past 30 years. My wife likes small cars, and likes the cameras and other safety features on the … Kicks. I’d call this a good car, but the lack of power is apparent, and you should bear that in mind when considering a Kicks purchase or lease.
Great vehicle!
5 out of 5 starsWarrenG, 03/21/2022
2022 Nissan Kicks SV 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)
I traded in my 2014 Lincoln MKZ Reserve for my 2021 Kicks SV Special Edition. It has tonnes of room and is alot of fun with great tech (automatic high beams, crash protection, etc) (though I wish Android Auto and Apple CarPlay worked in Bluetooth rather than cable connected) and fuel mileage (mileage being the reason for dropping the MKZ).
For the price, it's an amazing car!
For 121 hp, … it's remarkably responsive... Though it could use a few more horses to assist with quick acceleration.
Overall, the value is phenomenal!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Nissan Kicks, so we've included reviews for other years of the Kicks since its last redesign.
2023 Kicks Features & Specs
S
| MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee | $20,590 |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Gas |
| Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
| Cost to Drive | $124/month |
| Seating | 5 seats |
| Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 25.3 cu.ft. |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
| Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Kicks models:
- Forward Collision Warning
- Alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Applies the brakes if you don't respond in time to the forward collision warning system.
- Rear Door Alert
- Alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover15.5%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestGood
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
| 4.5 average Rating out of 6 reviews. |
| Starting at $21,600 |
| 3.8 average Rating out of 5 reviews. |
| Starting at $25,500 |
| 4.4 average Rating out of 9 reviews. |
| Starting at $26,500 |
Related Used 2023 Nissan Kicks info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Land Rover Defender 2021 Review
- Volvo XC60 2020 Review
- Land Rover Defender 2020 Review
- Mercedes Benz Amg GT 2021 Review
- Toyota Rav4 Hybrid 2021 Review
- Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2020 Review
- Lamborghini Urus 2020 Review
Shop similar models
- Used Kia Seltos 2026
- Used Mitsubishi Outlander-sport 2025
- Used Hyundai Kona 2026
- Used Toyota Corolla-cross 2026
- Used Chevrolet Equinox 2026
- Used Mitsubishi Eclipse-cross 2026
- Used Ford Ecosport 2022
- Used Hyundai Santa-fe-sport 2018
- Used Jeep Compass 2026
Shop used vehicles in your area
Popular new car reviews and ratings
Research other models of Nissan
- 2026 Nissan Altima
- 2026 Frontier
- 2026 Nissan Murano
- 2025 Nissan Versa
- 2025 Nissan Kicks
- 2026 Nissan Armada
- New Nissan LEAF
- 2026 Nissan Rogue
- 2026 Nissan Sentra
- New Nissan Pathfinder
Other models
- Used Mclaren 765LT in West Lafayette, IN 2021
- Used Cadillac CTS in Festus, MO 2019
- Used Porsche Cayenne in Athens, OH 2026
- Used Toyota Corolla-Hatchback in Appleton, WI 2026
- Used Mini Cooper in Spanaway, WA 2026
- Used Hyundai Azera in Tyler, TX 2017
- Used GMC Savana in Asheboro, NC 2025
- Used Lincoln Continental in Sacramento, CA 2020
- Used Volkswagen Tiguan in Modesto, CA 2026
- Used Tesla Model-S in Roswell, NM 2026
- New Jeep Recon for Sale in Alexandria, VA
- New Hyundai Ioniq-5-N for Sale in Gibsonia, PA
- New Mitsubishi Outlander for Sale in Salinas, CA
- New Toyota BZ for Sale in Apache Junction, AZ
- New Jeep Grand-Cherokee-L for Sale in Shreveport, LA
- New Lexus Is for Sale in Maineville, OH
- New Aston-Martin DB12 for Sale in Burbank, CA
- New BMW X1 for Sale in Estero, FL

