Cars are getting bigger and bigger with each new generation. Case in point is the all-new 2025 Nissan Kicks. This used to be a small city runabout crossover SUV but it is now about as big as the first generation Honda CR-V. So does its bigger size make it better or was the previous generation, which you can still buy, a better version of the Kicks?
Performance
Engine – With its bigger size, the 2025 Nissan Kicks receives a bigger engine. It is now a 2.0L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder. The bigger engine produces more power as well; 141 hp & 140 lb-ft of torque (105 kW & 190 Nm). It doesn’t make the 2025 Kicks a particularly fast crossover SUV but it has a bit of a pep in its step when it sets off from a stop. It doesn’t feel underpowered and it has enough power to keep it going onto highways without much fuss.
Fuel Economy – The increase in size has had an effect on the fuel economy. It’s worse than before. The 2025 Nissan Kicks is rated for 8.4 L/100km (28 MPG) in a city and 6.9 L/100km (34 MPG) on a highway. These numbers are with the AWD system. The FWD version is slightly better but still worse than the previous generation. I averaged 8.2 L/100km (28.7 MPG) during my time with the Kicks which involved mostly city driving.
Transmission – As per usual, the 2025 Kicks receives a CVT to distribute the power. Most of the time, it doesn’t try to imitate a traditional automatic and instead it behaves like a traditional CVT. As in, it will hold the engine’s rpms to a set point until the speed builds up and once the speed is reached, the engine spins at around 1,500 or less. There is a “B” on the gear selector which will allow the transmission to raise and hold the engine’s rpms to a higher point both when accelerating and decelerating. Otherwise, it doesn’t make for a particularly enjoyable driving experience.
Braking – The 2025 Nissan Kicks has easy to modulate brakes for smooth and effortless stops. The brake pedal firms up the harder you press on it and the car remains straight and under control in emergency braking situations.
Handling – The 2025 Kicks is about 230 kg (507 lbs) heavier (with the AWD system) than the previous generation Kicks. The more powerful engine does help to counteract the increase in heft but it doesn’t help when it encounters some corners. Granted, the previous generation Kicks was not exactly an athlete on a back-country road and this one isn’t either. The steering is light and vague feeling, even when switching the car into Sport mode. Having said that, the Nissan Kicks was not designed for driving pleasure like the Mazda CX-30. The Kicks is at home on city streets while taking 90 degree turns at intersections. The light steering makes it effortless.
Additionally, the AWD system is not a particularly sophisticated one. It will send some power to the back wheels when setting off from a stop and then provide 100% of the engine’s power to the front wheels when cruising at speed. It does not have any trick differentials to send power to the left or right wheels and instead relies on the stability control system and the brakes to limit wheel spin.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – With its longer wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels), the 2025 Kicks doesn’t have an overly bouncy ride when driving over bumps. However, the 19” wheels on this demo vehicle and low profile tires do translate the shunts of hitting a pothole into the cabin and into the seats. Thankfully, the seats provide some cushion against the bumps with just the right amount of padding and support.
Interior Space – Despite its larger size, the older generation Nissan Kicks had more headroom, across both rows of seats, and more front legroom than this new generation. Granted, the difference is not by much, less than and inch. Having said that, there still is plenty of room for my 6’4” stature in the front seats. I have enough legroom and my hair doesn’t brush up against the headliner. Additionally, visibility around the car is good with small blind zones.
In the back seats, the new 2025 Nissan Kicks provides an additional inch of legroom. For my tall height behind my tall driving position, it doesn’t really make a difference. I have to keep my legs to either side of the seat in front as I can’t keep them in-line with my body. Headroom is tighter in the back seats with my hair gently brushing the headliner.
The new Kicks also doesn’t provide much more cargo capacity than the older one behind the rear seats. It has 677 L (23.9 cu-ft) where the Kicks Play has 716 L (25.3 cu-ft). Where the larger size of the 2025 Kicks pays dividend is with the rear seats folded. It has 1,419 L (50.1 cu-ft) vs 915 L (32.3 cu-ft) for the older Kicks. Take note, you may have to move the front seats forward in order for the rear seats to fully drop down. Under the trunk floor, there are a few small storage bins but the 2025 Kicks does not have a spare wheel. Also, you have to really slam the trunk tailgate in order for it to properly close. On multiple occasions I found myself driving off and then getting a message on the driver display that the tailgate is still open.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The 2025 Nissan Kicks is a little bit quieter than the previous generation but only in certain situations. For example, when maintaining a set speed on city streets, the cabin is a little bit quieter. But when driving up a hill or accelerating aggressively, the engine is still very noisy and buzzy. Furthermore, road noise from the tires is very noticeable on highways. But given the benefit of the doubt, this demo vehicle had winter tires equipped which are generally louder than all-season tires.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – Predictably, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is more expensive than the older generation. The S FWD starts at $27,199 CAD ($21,830 USD) while at the other end, the SR Premium AWD will cost you $34,899 CAD ($30,310 USD). Interestingly, the 2025 Kicks is only $500 USD more expensive (starting price) than the Kicks Play. However, in Canada, the price difference is closer to $5,000 CAD as the 2025 Kicks Play starts at $22,598 CAD ($21,520 USD).
Gadgets – In base form, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is equipped with air conditioning, power locks, power windows, power mirrors, push button start, heated front seats, cloth upholstery, a 12.3” infotainment touchscreen with wireless CarPlay & Wireless Android Auto connectivity, rear parking sensors, and LED headlights.
Moving up to the fully loaded SR premium trim will add 19” wheels, front parking sensors, surround view cameras, a panoramic sunroof, a single zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, a fully digital driver display, a 10-speaker Bose audio system with speakers in each front headrest, and a wireless phone charging pad.
Interior Design – The design of the 2025 Kick’s interior follows modern automotive trends. It has a dual-screen layout that is designed to look like one piece across the dashboard, it has capacitive touch controls for the climate, and the only physical buttons and knobs are on the steering wheel and the radio volume control on the center of the dashboard. I hate the capacitive touch controls of the climate and instead hoped Nissan would have used the same buttons that surround the volume knob.
However, the materials are an improvement over the older generation Kicks. This SR Premium trim has a cloth-like material which looks like faux carbon fiber across the dashboard and arm rests. But the padding on the door armrests are not enough. Sadly, there is some piano gloss black on the dashboard but it’s not overdone. The upper portions of the dash and door panels are covered in synthetic leather with contrast stitching with only the lowest points of the cabin being hard plastics.
Exterior Design – Much like the interior, the exterior has been drastically improved over the previous generation. It may look a bit butch with its bigger size and more pronounced front fenders, but it’s a fresh design that stands out. The signature LED daytime running lights and taillights remind me of the new Nissan Z sports car.
Safety – The standard Nissan Kicks is equipped with the basic safety & driver aid features. Some of these include automatic emergency braking, blind spot sensors, lane departure warning, auto high beam, and adaptive cruise control among a few others. Moving up in the trims will add features such as lane departure prevention, traffic sign recognition, oncoming intersection assist, and ProPilot assist.
This new generation Kicks also received a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS with good scores in crash tests and good scores in crash avoidance & mitigation.
Warranty – The 2025 Nissan Kicks is covered by a 3 year / 60,000 km new vehicle basic warranty and a 5 year / 100,000 km powertrain warranty. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For USA warranty, click here.
Conclusion – Overall, the new Nissan Kicks is a pretty good small crossover SUV if you just want a comfortable daily commuter. Does it’s bigger size make it better than before? Well, it’s nice to have more cargo space, a more powerful engine, an optional AWD system if you need it, and newer technology. But it is also more expensive and less fuel efficient. The bigger question mark is, how long will Nissan last as a company? That is a question for another time. But so long as they keep updating their aging fleet, they should be able to turn things around.
Thank you to Nissan Canada for providing the vehicle. www.Nissan.ca
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