2023 Nissan Kicks Review

Name: 2023 Nissan Kicks Review
Brand: Nissan

Price Range: $13,995 - $23,990

Nissan Kicks SR 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

+124

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.

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Price & Payment

108 cars

$19,891 avg. price

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Nissan Kicks model years

2018

Nissan Kicks for Sale

2023 Nissan Kicks Review

byAlex Nishimoto^{Correspondent
Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007 and has written more than 2,500 car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Alex is a correspondent for Edmunds and has also written for MotorTrend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Super Street, CNET, PRI Magazine, AutoWise and other publications. When he’s not writing about cars, he’s wrenching on his E30-generation BMW 325is, which he’s owned since college and plans to restore one day.}

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

2023 Nissan Kicks for sale near you

3 of 108 listings

S 4dr Hatchback
MSRP: $13,995
19 mi away
S 4dr Hatchback
MSRP: $23,175
24 mi away
SV 4dr Hatchback
MSRP: $21,998
3 mi away

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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

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Which Kicks 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.

Compare 2023 Nissan Kicks trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2023 Nissan Kicks models

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:

S
Starts off with:

16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers
Rear drum brakes
Power side mirrors
Power windows
Power door locks
Remote locking and unlocking
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
Cruise control
Air conditioning
Height-adjustable driver's seat
7-inch touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system
Bluetooth connectivity
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

The Kicks also includes an impressive list of safety systems as standard equipment:

Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Reverse automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
Automatic high-beam headlights

SV
Choose the SV trim for added style, convenience and tech features including:

17-inch alloy wheels
Body-colored exterior trim
Roof rails
Rear disc brakes (can enhance braking performance)
Electric parking brake
Heated side mirrors
Keyless entry and ignition
Remote engine start
Automatic climate control
Center storage console with armrest between the front seats
8-inch touchscreen
Satellite radio
Rear seat reminder
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Kicks and the car in front)
Drowsy driver monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

SR
Tops the Kicks range with:

Intelligent Dynamics Control (brake-based technology that helps smooth the ride and improve cornering)
LED headlights and foglights
Dark chrome grille trim
Black side mirror and roof rails
Rear roof spoiler
Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
Heated front seats
Sport cloth upholstery with orange accents
Surround-view monitor (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

If you're feeling especially spendy, there is an SR Premium package that adds:

Connected services
Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app
Wi-Fi hotspot
Simulated leather upholstery trim
Heated front seats and steering wheel
Cargo cover
Eight-speaker Bose premium sound system

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Nissan Kicks S 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $2.89 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$109/mo

$155/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Nissan Kicks Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

34 reviews

5(67%)

4(9%)

3(12%)

2(5%)

1(7%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

My time with a Kicks

Christopher 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 …

Malfunction Rear Sensors & Rear Automatic Brake

Joliet 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 …

Pretty Kicks

Jim Roycroft , 03/15/2024

2023 Nissan Kicks SV 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl CVT)

The scarlet ember paint with the super black paint really stands out. I’ve always averaged over thirty miles to a gallon and even a high of forty on the highway. Plenty of storage space in the inside also adds th the pleasure of owning the Kicks. Now that I’ve had the Kicks almost three years and 19,000 miles I still haven’t had no troubles and I have zero complaints, I love my little …

Great vehicle!

WarrenG, 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, …

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.

See all 34 reviews of the Nissan Kicks

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2023 Kicks Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$20,590
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	33 MPG
Cost to Drive	$109/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	25.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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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

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Nissan Kicks Review

Price & Payment

2023 Nissan Kicks Review

Pros