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When it comes to low-cost, new car options, there are usually a lot of sacrifices to be made. From stingy interiors to low-grade tech, frumpy styling and cardboard box driving dynamics, the segment hasn't typically been very compelling to me — until I drove the new Kicks. I spent a weekend with the all-new 2025 Nissan Kicks and I am so pleased to report that it has none of those qualities. In fact, it's actually a very good car, all at an incredibly affordable price.
I was genuinely taken aback by how much care and effort Nissan poured into their little Kicks, and I see it being a very attractive option for people looking for a new car but don't want to break the bank.
Here are just a few reasons why the new Nissan Kicks is such a great option for those looking to keep costs low while buying a new car.
Pricing
The Kick's pricing is one of the main selling points, and it's super budget-friendly. The new Nissan Kicks starts at $23,000. The SR top trim I tested starts at $27,000 and was just over $30,000 loaded up with all the options. Considering that Kelley Blue Book reports that the average new car price is almost $50,000, the Kicks is a pretty stellar value considering what it offers for nearly half the average new car price.
As Justin Banner of Motor Trend wrote, "There are better-optioned or far better-handling SUVs with all-wheel drive, but far fewer match the total package the 2025 Nissan Kicks offers at its price point."
All-wheel drive is now an option
The Kicks has been around for a few years, but one of its drawbacks has been the lack of available all-wheel drive. The new 2025 Kicks is available with all-wheel drive and offers an additional 1.5 inches of ground clearance. This brings the total ground clearance up to 8.4 inches, better than most of the competition in this class. The combination of all-wheel drive plus increased ground clearance, while retaining a relatively low center of gravity, makes for a winning winter driving vehicle, especially when coupled with proper winter tires. For those looking to stay safe in the Utah snow, the Kicks is a great option.
The exterior styling is cool, fun and unique
The new Kicks is way more interesting to look at than the outgoing generation, and it's clear Nissan put real effort into making something appealing. The overall shape is really cool, as is the front grille. There are a lot of little touches that I loved, like the three-spoke wheels, and the available two-tone paint. Nissan offers some really cool colors, too. Some of them include Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, Two-tone Yuzu Yellow Metallic and Two-tone Arctic Ice Blue Metallic.
There is also a tiny Kicks logo printed on the mirror support and a Kicks logo subtly hidden in the D-pillar — cool little Easter eggs. The headlights and taillights look sharp, too, with three horizontal lights working as the daytime running lights. The headlights are also true LED projector lamps — a very nice feature at any price.
More power
The new Nissan Kicks has a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. While by no means a thriller, the engine's power is perfectly sufficient for daily driving and the continuously variable transmission does a good job of keeping power in the power band, especially under freeway merging and passing scenarios.
It's efficient, too. The 2025 Kicks is rated at 27 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg in combined driving.
Exceptional interior and features for the money
Some of the biggest benefits of the new Kicks are on the inside. There is new tech, new, nice looking and feeling materials and more space than in the previous generation. One feature that stands out is the driver-assist cruise control with automated steering — a feature you don't often see at this price point. There is a myriad of other high-value standard features including a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 360 camera, wireless Apple CarPlay, two rear USB-C ports and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
My tester also had an optional panoramic sunroof, and some other nice features that came with the $1,950 Premium Package. The package includes a panoramic moonroof, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a remote engine start system, intelligent climate control, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a snazzy Bose Personal Plus audio system with 10 speakers including driver and front passenger headrest speakers, and a driver seat-mounted front-center supplemental air bag. And the panoramic sunroof and Bose headrest speakers are segment exclusive features that nobody else offers. While the package adds nearly $2,000 to the price, it adds a lot of premium touches that feel worth the money.
Another well-executed feature is the climate control adjustment panel. It's all black gloss with capacitive touch buttons, and again, is unexpected in a car at this price. Other materials throughout the cabin are excellent, including the two-tone seat materials, the soft touch door panels and the nice, brushed aluminum trim around some of the switches. There are also very accommodating cup holders — perfect for those 44-ounce Swig runs — and thicker carpeting and fender liners.
And as with other Nissans, the Zero Gravity seats are amazing. Seriously, whoever designs Nissan's seats deserves a raise — they're some of the best in the business. The seating position is high and provides excellent visibility, especially with the thin A-pillars that are easy to see around.
The rear seat is spacious, gaining an inch more legroom than the previous generation, and features the same materials found in the front seating area. Although I do wish there were rear air vents, Nissan could have cheaped out on the rear, but they didn't. The cargo area is surprisingly large, with a flat, wide load floor and extra cargo space on the sides and underneath.
It's good to drive
In addition to the amazing value, the Nissan Kicks is, importantly, good to drive. No, it's not particularly exciting, but it's good, solid transportation. There is a fair amount of road noise, but it feels like a minor sacrifice for all that you get at this price. The steering is surprisingly direct but can feel a bit wallowy at some speeds. But again, that's the price point. The suspension is likewise pretty compliant over most road surfaces, but it can be a bit choppy when the road gets rougher.
As for the power, it is adequate. You can pass and keep up with traffic on the freeway, but it does take some coaxing. You won't win a drag race with the Nissan Kicks, but 95% of commuters will find it meets exactly what they need for everyday driving around Utah. Because of consumer feedback from the prior generation, the new Kicks offers a significant torque and horsepower upgrade over the earlier version.
It's efficient, too. The 2025 Kicks is rated at 27 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg in combined driving. And as an added bonus, all new 2025 Nissans (non-EVs) come with two years of free maintenance included with the purchase of the vehicle.
Final thoughts
The new 2025 Nissan Kicks absolutely delivers on being a brand-new SUV crossover with some good tech, lots of comfort and compelling features and materials, all for a very affordable price. It also looks awesome and is one of the more interesting all-wheel drive options available for under $30,000.
There aren't too many car options in this price range, and while it may not be an opulent luxury car, the new Kicks is a solid offering at this price point that's well worth your consideration. As Mark Takahashi wrote for Car and Driver, "Altogether, with its former sacrifices fortunately eliminated, the 2025 Nissan Kicks represents a great pick in an important class."
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