Which 2023 Nissan Kicks Is Right for You?

August 11th, 2023 by

A blue 2023 Nissan Kicks SR is shown parked near a café after visiting a Nissan Kicks for sale.

Lots of things are hard when you enter the world of adulting. Thankfully, finding a Nissan Kicks for sale that works for your lifestyle and budget isn’t one of them. Nissan designed the fun, quirky Kicks lineup for a wide range of buyers, so whether you like to disappear for a weekend of fun with your squad or you need an affordable and reliable car for a long-distance daily commute, you’ll find a solution that works in the 2023 Nissan Kicks lineup.

Don’t be fooled by Nissan’s simplified three-trim lineup; the 2023 Kicks offers dozens of configurations and exterior paint options, giving style-minded buyers plenty of ways to customize their ride and dial in a Nissan Kicks model that works for their specific budget and monthly payment goals. All trims feature the same roomy cabin with seating for five and comfortable Zero Gravity front seats that mold to your frame and help stave off driver fatigue.

Twelve different exterior hues, including five two-tone options, range from the neutral and understated Fresh Powder, a pearlescent white that adds a dash of elegance, to the quirky two-tone Monarch Orange Metallic that transforms the Nissan Kicks into a playful standout. Buyers will have fun imagining their version of America’s favorite subcompact crossover. Which color, trim, and configuration works best for your lifestyle? Use our handy guide to discover the best 2023 Nissan Kicks for your driveway.

The Nissan Kicks S: Affordable and Practical

Buying an entry-level subcompact crossover often means saying goodbye to creature comforts and advanced in-vehicle tech, right? Not so with the 2023 Kicks S. This base trim is anything but, with its generous 7-inch touchscreen and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for easy streaming of your favorite Spotify playlist or the latest true crime podcast episode in your queue.

Unlike many value-priced subcompact SUVs that still have old-school keyed ignitions, Nissan includes remote keyless entry and a push-button start. An array of cup holders and storage cubbies keeps your stuff organized, and three USB ports allow you and your passengers to stay fully charged. The standard six-speaker audio system sounds great even at highway speeds, so prepare for fun sing-a-longs with your buddies on your next road trip.

Every Nissan Kicks comes with the same 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine and standard front-wheel drive. Fuel economy ratings are impressive at 31 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. Nissan also includes the standard Safety Shield 360, a suite of six driver-assist technologies that use radar, cameras, and sensors to constantly monitor the area around your Kicks, alerting you when a potential hazard exists and intervening with Automatic Emergency Braking and steering correction via Lane Keep Assist when necessary to keep you and your occupants safe.

Nissan designed the ultra-affordable Kicks S for first-time buyers, and those who want to keep their ownership costs low. At a starting price of $20,590, the Kicks S is among the most affordable subcompact SUVs in the category, offering a nice assortment of standard comfort and convenience features and advanced safety technology, along with great fuel economy ratings.[a] With up to 32.3 cu.ft. of cargo capacity and a configurable cabin with a 60/40 split rear seat, the Kicks S offers flexibility for just about any lifestyle.

A blue 2023 Nissan Kicks is shown driving on a wet road.

The Nissan Kicks SV: Mid-Range Pricing With Some Extras

The mid-range Kicks SV is Car and Driver’s recommended trim. The trusted review site points to the SV’s standard 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and larger 17-inch aluminum wheels as key benefits for buyers. Additionally, Nissan adds Intelligent Cruise Control to the long list of standard Kicks SV features. Intelligent Cruise Control automatically adjusts speed to flow with traffic, so you don’t have to constantly apply the brake and restart the vehicle’s cruise control function whenever traffic slows down or speeds up.

The Kicks SV also includes a Nissan Intelligent Key, which uses an antenna system to transmit signals from the key fob to the vehicle. Simply press the Request Switch and the Intelligent Key can be used to lock or unlock the doors and start the engine from farther away than a traditional key fob. Inside, the cabin is equipped with a standard center console with storage and chrome accenting on the doors and shifter adds a luxury feel to the Kicks SV’s interior. Power-heated outside mirrors and a set of silver roof rails come standard.

Nissan includes a complimentary three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio for Kicks SV buyers. Along with the three standard USB-A ports, the cabin also has a USB-C port for faster device charging. As for safety features, long-distance commuters will appreciate Intelligent Driver Alertness, a standard feature that monitors driver attentiveness while traveling at speeds of 37 mph or faster. By tracking steering behavior, Intelligent Driver Alertness can sense when drivers need a break and will send an audible alert to suggest pulling over for a rest.

The Kicks SV benefits buyers looking for upgraded technology. The larger 8-inch screen sits front-and-center on the dash, allowing easy access to smartphone app content and a brighter display for tapping into Apple CarPlay or Android Auto functions, such as navigation. Choosing this trim will cost you a more-than-reasonable $22,450, yet it provides a more tech-rich cabin environment, as well as additional driver-assist safety and convenience features; notably, the Intelligent Cruise Control system is a key benefit for highway commuters and buyers who enjoy weekend road trips.[a]

The black interior and dash of a 2023 Nissan Kicks is shown.

The Nissan Kicks SR: Fully Loaded With Tech and Finish Upgrades

Priced at $23,150, the top-of-the-line Kicks SR is still a great bargain for first-time buyers and shoppers looking to keep their monthly payments low.[a] Despite its affordable price tag, the Kicks SR includes a long list of standard comfort, convenience, and advanced safety technology features that younger buyers will love, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and trim-exclusive sport-cloth seating with modern orange accenting.

Comfort and convenience are center stage on the high-end Kicks SR, with standard Automatic Temperature Control and a remote engine start feature that includes Intelligent Climate Control. You can dial in the cabin temperature ahead of time so when you slide behind the wheel, you’re toasty warm in the winter and nice and cool on those hot summer days. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are available as part of the SR Premium Package.

Speaking of the SR Premium Package, choosing this low-cost upgrade adds a long list of premium features, including the leather-like Prima-Tex seating and a premium 8-speaker Bose Personal Plus audio system that includes a set of speakers called Bose UltraNearfield, integrated into the driver’s headrest. The package also incorporates NissanConnect connected services, a Wi-Fi Hotspot, and a free trial subscription to the app-based system, which provides vehicle health data, remote lock/unlock, vehicle locator capability, and more.

On the exterior, the Kicks SR comes with standard LED headlights, Daytime Running Lights, fog lights, and a unique dark chrome grille. Stylized high-gloss black outside mirrors and black roof rails add to the SR’s edgy curb profile, and the integrated LED turn signals add an extra touch of convenience for drivers. The available Intelligent Around View Monitor offers a bird’s eye view of the area around your Kicks for even greater visibility when parking or backing out of your driveway.

Choosing Your Ideal 2023 Nissan Kicks

The fun-to-drive, quirky 2023 Nissan Kicks offers a rainbow of exterior paint colors to customize your unique style and tastes, as well as three well-equipped trims so you can dial in the exact version that meets your needs. Recognized as one of the most fuel-efficient subcompact crossovers in the category, the Kicks provides a low-cost ownership option for buyers on a budget.

Nissan’s commitment to building the safest vehicles on the road is evident throughout the Kicks lineup, with standard driver-assist safety technologies included, along with upgraded convenience features that help drivers stay focused and alert. If you’re looking for an affordable starter car or you simply prefer to drive a fun, adventure-ready crossover with tons of space for people and gear, take a closer look at the 2023 Nissan Kicks.


[a] MSRP may change without notice. See dealer for complete details.