Put a Kick in Your Step: Falling in Love With the Nissan Kicks

December 9th, 2022 by Josh Pratt

Small but mighty is the best way to describe the Nissan Kicks. Although it’s the smallest subcompact crossover in the Nissan fleet, it packs a heavy punch because it gives drivers a more spacious alternative to sedans like the Sentra and Versa without compromising efficiency or performance. As a certified Nissan Kicks dealer, we think of the Kicks as one of the best value-oriented packages, particularly on the used lot.

In a market inundated with crossovers, the Kicks dares to be different. First introduced in 2018, the Kicks immediately distinguished itself with its high-value packaging, which meant drivers no longer had to compromise or choose between affordability and innovative technology, performance, and conveniences. The Kicks promised and delivered, setting a new precedent for the segment.

So, what else makes the Kicks a great used vehicle? Why is it a budget-savvy shopper’s dream come true? Here’s everything that makes the Kicks a fan favorite in our used inventory, where the Nissan and Newton marquees mean quality is always guaranteed.

#1: It’s Budget-Friendly

Nissan debuted the Kicks in 2018, marketing it as a versatile and bold SUV with expressive styling, intelligent features, and advanced technology at a price point under $18,000. The automaker kept that promise, with the 2018 Kicks starting at $17,990. Ever since, the Kicks has defied industry standards and kept its price low despite the rising cost of rivals like the Ford EcoSport, Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, Toyota CH-R, Chevy Trax, and Kia Sportage.

Relishing the Kicks’ budget-friendly price on the used lot is best appreciated when you look at its starting MSRP. For example, the 2020 Kicks started at $18,870, meaning you’ll pay thousands less for a used model. Now, consider the starting prices of rival models in 2020. The CX-3 and HR-V started at over $20,000, the Trax and CX-30 north of $21,000, and the Encore above $23,000, which pushes their prices higher than the Kicks even on the used lot.

#2: Its Size Is Advantageous

The Kicks embodies Nissan’s promise to fulfill every driving need. While trucks like the Titan sit at one end of the spectrum and meet exceptional towing and hauling demands, the Kicks sits at the other end, using its size to its advantage as an agile pavement crawler. But why is this so important to our customers?

The Kicks’ subcompact size makes it the perfect SUV for many drivers, from teens getting accustomed to the road to commuters who spend most of their time navigating the city. With a 103.1-inch wheelbase, 169.1-inch length, and 69.3-inch width, the Kicks has a small footprint that makes it easy to maneuver in traffic and park in narrow or tight spaces. For commuters who have to worry about parking decks, the Kicks offers another advantage: its modest height of 62.4 inches guarantees plenty of clearance.

#3: It’s Surprisingly Spacious

The Kicks replaced the Juke as Nissan’s smallest SUV in 2018 and immediately distinguished itself by prioritizing passenger comfort and versatility. Like its rivals, it offers seating for five, but it makes excellent use of its cabin by ensuring you and your passengers have plenty of room. So, what does this look like as you start your search?

The Kicks has seen only minor changes to its capacities over the years, leaving nominal differences between the year models. For example, the 2018 Kicks boasts a passenger volume of 93.9 cubic feet, but the all-new 2023 model offers slightly less at 92.7 cubic feet. Regardless, the spaciousness is impressive and gives you and your passengers plenty of room to enjoy the ride, especially with rival models like the 2018 Encore offering less space (92.8 cubic feet) despite its luxury-oriented price tag.

This spaciousness isn’t limited to passenger capacity and extends beyond the second row. The Kicks is versatile and highly functional, whether you’re navigating your morning commute, picking up groceries, or running errands in town. In addition, the SUV’s cabin is so well-engineered that the subcompact SUV offers more cargo space behind the second row than its rivals.

On models like the 2020 Kicks, you’ll find 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which means you can haul passengers and all the necessities. Competing models like the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul come close to the Kicks and offer 24.3 and 24.2 cubic feet of space, respectively. However, every other model in the class pales in comparison, from the Buick Encore (18.8 cubic feet) to the Mazda CX-3 (17.3 cubic feet).

#4: It’s Has an Efficient Use of Fuel

Since its debut, the Kicks has kept its powertrain lineup simple by focusing primarily on efficiency. Every model, from 2018 to 2022, comes standard with front-wheel drive and Nissan’s proven 1.6L four-cylinder engine and continuously variable transmission. This combination gives the Kicks plenty of power to handle itself at highway speeds, while the Xtronic transmission balances that power output with fuel-sipping tendencies. The result is phenomenal, with the Kicks promising one of the best fuel economies in the class at around 31 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway.

#5: It Makes Innovative Technology Accessible and Affordable

The Kicks immediately made waves in the industry with its high-value packaging in 2018. Nissan finally proved that drivers didn’t have to choose between intuitive and advanced technology for the sake of their budget. Instead, the Kicks delivered it all.

The 2018 Kicks set a new precedent because it came standard with automatic emergency braking, Nissan’s RearView Monitor, and a seven-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth connectivity. Of course, top-tier trims like the SV and SR offer more technology, with Nissan equipping the models with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, an Intelligent Around View Monitor, and enhanced connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Fortunately, the Kicks’ technology improves with age and builds on these standards.

Newer models fulfill the Kicks’ promise to make technology more accessible. For example, the 2020 Kicks SV is an exceptional find because it enhances the SUV’s standard suite of technology. The entry-level S offers Nissan’s Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, Intelligent Auto Headlights, Easy Fill Tire Alert, keyless entry, and push button start. The SV expands on these features, adding NissanConnect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, automatic temperature control, a seven-inch Advanced Driver Alert Display, and remote engine start.

#6: It Has a Sporty Side

The Kicks might be a subcompact SUV, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish and sporty. Models like the 2020 Kicks SR prove our point and give the SR a sporty flair that adds to its appeal. The SR enhances the Kicks’ traditional design by adding LED lighting, black heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, fog lights, dark chrome grille accents, a rear roof-mounted spoiler, and front and rear bumpers with body color inserts. Inside, the trim exudes luxury with its leather-wrapped steering wheel, exclusive accented upholstery, leather shift knob, and expansive Intelligent Around View Monitor.

For tech-savvy drivers looking for an exceptional blend of intuitive tech and luxury, look no further than the Kicks SR with the SR Premium Package. A great find from the 2020 lineup, the package adds an eight-speaker Bose premium sound system that includes a speaker integrated into the driver’s headrest for an immersive, concert-like listening experience. In addition, it exchanges the SR’s upholstery with Prima-Tex appointed seats, adds a security system, and delivers next-level luxury to you and your copilot with heated front-row seating.