Nissan’s latest struggles aren’t any secret, however the firm nonetheless does one factor nicely: low cost, small vehicles. The 2025 Kicks is not any exception. For the brand new 12 months, the model’s smallest SUV will get some huge adjustments to the design, inside, and powertrain, which makes the already-excellent SUV even higher. Plus, prospects get two new options they’ve lengthy been asking for: all-wheel drive and ProPilot Help.

Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

The outside appears superior. Nissan has moved away from its signature “V-Movement” grille and since adopted a flatter front-end design that works particularly nicely on the brand new Kicks. The horizontal slats within the gloss black grille mix seamlessly into the headlights and operating lights, whereas some additional black plastic dips down into the bottom of the bumper. It appears somewhat mouthy, nevertheless it works.

This SR trim is particularly fairly. Extra black accents dot the outside and blade-like 19-inch wheels come customary. You may as well choice a two-tone paint job; the Arctic Ice Blue with a contrasting black roof on this tester appears completely ace.

The inside is not any much less pretty to have a look at or sit in. There is a wholesome heaping of black plastic—each shiny and matte—however none of it feels particularly chintzy. The SR mannequin provides further therapies like actual leather-based on the steering wheel and shifter, fake carbon fiber accents (as a result of sporty!), and orange stitching, which makes all of it really feel extra premium.

Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Professionals: Superior Design, Nicely-Geared up Cabin, Precise Energy, Nonetheless Inexpensive

Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats are glorious. They provide the proper quantity of bolstering and loads of butt and again help for long-distance cruising. Sadly, even on the tippy prime of the Kicks vary, they’re nonetheless manually adjustable and do not include lumbar help. Not all that unreasonable for such an inexpensive SUV, however nonetheless—it will be good to have.

The brand new Kicks is 2.3 inches longer and almost 1.0 inch taller than the 2024 mannequin, which yields spatial enhancements in a number of classes. It has 30.0 cubic toes of cargo area within the trunk (up from 25.3 inches) and 34.5 inches of legroom within the second row (up from 33.5 inches).

Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

The 2 12.3-inch screens tacked onto the sprint are unique to the SR mannequin. The SV will get the 12.3-inch touchscreen however not the digital cluster, whereas the bottom S mannequin makes do with a 7.0-inch touchscreen. The screens right here work splendidly; the graphics are crystal clear, touch-responsiveness is fast, and the whole lot is straightforward to entry. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto additionally come customary, which is a giant plus.

The brand new Kicks received’t blow your hair again with its efficiency, however it’s unexpectedly good to drive. A brand new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine replaces final 12 months’s torpid 1.6-liter unit, and it makes 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. The previous Kicks had simply 122 hp and 114 lb-ft by comparability.

Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Cons: Loud At Freeway Speeds, No Energy-Adjustable Seats, Greatest Options Restricted To Prime Trim

The uptick in output is straight away noticeable while you get on the throttle. There’s actual, precise, usable torque from the two.0-liter engine, which supplies the Kicks respectable pep off the road. Energy plateaus rapidly, however there’s nonetheless sufficient to simply get the SUV as much as freeway speeds and for passing. The CVT is generally inoffensive, nevertheless it does give off somewhat drone at greater speeds. Basically, the Kicks may be loud on the freeway.

One huge enchancment to the Kicks for 2025 is the arrival of an all-wheel-drive choice. The previous Kicks was front-wheel drive solely. Now with energy in any respect 4 corners, the Kicks does higher in moist and snowy situations. Simply be sure you’ve obtained the correct tire.

Nissan additionally lastly provides its ProPilot superior driver help expertise on the Kicks—however solely the SR mannequin. It really works in addition to most lively security options, maintaining the automotive centered within the lane and at a secure distance from the automobile in entrance of it. Braking and throttle are utilized easily.

Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

However the actual huge kicker—pun supposed—is the value. The 2025 Nissan Kicks is $23,220 with the obligatory $1,390 vacation spot price included. That’s solely $490 dearer than the earlier mannequin. The SR mannequin, admittedly, isn’t that low cost; the front-wheel-drive SR begins at $27,570 and the all-wheel-drive model is $29,070. However most the whole lot comes customary—the one huge choice is paint, which ranges in value relying on the colour.

The 2025 Kicks is superb. It ticks all the correct packing containers for consumers on this class, appears good doing it, and nonetheless prices lower than $25,000 to begin. It begs the query: Why isn’t each Nissan like this?

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Jeff Perez / Motor1

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