Huge cargo area for a car its size; lots of equipment for a low price; high seating position with good visibility; excellent fuel economy
Slow and unusual steering; highway on ramps are not its forte; all-wheel drive is unavailable
The Nissan Kicks is an all-new model.
Skip the base model. For less than $2,000 more, you get a variety of desirable safety, infotainment and convenience features with the SV. However, even a fully loaded SR comes way under most comparably equipped competitors in the subcompact SUV segment, so it's really hard to go wrong from a value perspective.
The 2018 Nissan Kicks is available in three trim levels: S, SV and SR. The price gap between them isn't that considerable, and there's only one optional package, making your selection rather easy.
The base Kicks ($17,990) comes standard with 16-in steel wheels, a spare tire, roof rails, automatic headlights, a backup camera, automatic emergency braking, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver's seat, cloth upholstery, a 60/40-split folding back seat, Bluetooth, a 7-in touchscreen, three USB ports and a 6-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack and a media player interface.
The SV ($19,690) adds 17-in alloy wheels, heated body-colored mirrors, proximity entry and push-button start, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, automatic climate control, a color digital instrument display, a cargo cover, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite radio.
The range-topping SR ($20,290) gains special exterior trim, a rear spoiler, LED headlights, fog lights, surround-view parking cameras, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and simulated leather dash trim. Optional only on the SR is the Premium package, which includes heated front seats, Prima-Tex simulated leather upholstery, a security system and an 8-speaker Bose sound system.
| Sport Utility | Original MSRP / Price | Engine | Horsepower | City MPG / Hwy MPG | Transmission | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kicks S FWD | $18,290 / $17,825 | 4 Cylinder | 125 | 31 / 36 | Continuously Variable Automatic | FWD |
| Kicks SR FWD | $20,590 / $20,060 | 4 Cylinder | 125 | 31 / 36 | Continuously Variable Automatic | FWD |
| Kicks SV FWD | $19,990 / $19,478 | 4 Cylinder | 125 | 31 / 36 | Continuously Variable Automatic | FWD |
Every Kicks comes standard with seven airbags (front, front-side, side-curtain, driver's knee), antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum), stability and traction control, automatic emergency braking and a backup camera. The SV and the SR add blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems into the mix.
The nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Kicks a Top Safety Pick for its performance in crashworthiness, crash avoidance and headlight testing.
| Basic | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
| Drivetrain | 5 Years/60,000 Miles |
| Corrosion | 5 Years/Unlimited Miles |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 Years/36,000 Miles |
2019 Honda HR-V -- If you like the Kicks' combination of maximum interior space in a minimum exterior package, the HR-V is your best alternative. Its available all-wheel-drive system gives it a potential advantage.
2019 Hyundai Kona -- The Kona can't match the Kicks' interior space, but from a driving perspective, it's the more engaging and the considerably quicker car. It's one of our favorites.
2019 Honda Fit -- The Fit has basically the same interior space as the HR-V, but comes at a lower price that's more akin to the Kicks' and is only offered in front-wheel drive. It would be more fun to drive, but has no SUV pretenses about it.
Used Kia Niro -- Though you could consider a new Niro, this hybrid crossover would be pricier than the Kicks. Still, some should be available used, and with it, you get big-time fuel economy, a pleasant driving experience and plenty of interior room.
Hatchbacks offer SUV practicality and sedan efficiency.
