Introduced for the 2018 model year and facelifted for 2021, the Nissan Kicks is due for a refresh. Unfortunately, the model is entering 2024 unchanged — and not due to a lack of effort on Nissan’s part. The next-generation SUV has the best excuse in automotive history for being delayed: Someone stole the tooling from a supplier.
What’s New?
As a consolation prize, Nissan is throwing in three years of complimentary NissanConnect Services on the SV and SR trims. This service enables remote door locking and unlocking, engine starting and stopping, and automatic emergency calling through a connected phone.
Its upright styling might say “SUV,” but the Kicks is only available with front-wheel drive. The sole engine offering is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 122 horsepower and 114 pounds-feet of torque and paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. While pokey, this powertrain does return an EPA-rated 31/36/33 mpg city/highway/combined for the 2023 model (official 2024 numbers are not yet available); these figures are quite impressive for a non-hybrid car.
Safety Equipment and Trim Levels
Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite is standard on every Kicks trim level and includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert with rear emergency braking.
The entry-level Kicks is the S. It rolls on 16-inch steel wheels and is so basic that Nissan feels it worthwhile to point out it has cruise control. Other notable features include doors, a roof made of steel — rather than wet towels — and a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Above the S sits the SV, which gets 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control, an 8-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch digital display in the instrument panel and NissanConnect. At the top of the line is the SR; its black exterior trim is complemented by a dark chrome grille, roof-mounted spoiler and LED front lighting. Inside, it sports unique upholstery and trim, automatic climate control and a 360-degree parking camera.
Black wheels are available as a stand-alone option to complete the SR’s look or add some attitude to the SV. An optional Premium Package for the SR adds synthetic leather seats that are heated in front and an eight-speaker Bose audio system with speakers in the driver’s head restraint.
*MSRP and Invoice prices displayed are for educational purposes only, do not reflect the actual selling price of a particular vehicle, and do not include applicable gas taxes or destination charges.
