2020 Nissan Kicks

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is being offered in 3 trim levels, to be specific the S, SV and the top of the line SR with customization alternatives on all the 3 trims. Engine and power continue to be the same as before in all trims and so does the CVT transmission, which comes in as standard in all the trims. Nissan also offers Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning as standard in all the trims.

Trims	S	SV	SR
Price	$18,540	$20,250	$20,870
Features	7" Touch Screen Display with 3 USB Ports, Bluetooth, AUX Input	Adds/Upgrades these from S	Adds/Upgrades these from SV
	Cruise Control	17'' Aluminum Alloy Wheels	17" Aluminum Alloy Wheels
	Powered Outside Mirrors	Powered Heated ORVM	Turn Indicators on ORVM
	Roof Rails	Automatic Climate Control	Nissan Intelligent Key
	Illuminated Steering Wheel Mounted Controls	Rear Passenger Under Seat Heater Ducts	Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel and Shift Knob
	AM/FM 6 Speaker Audio	Sirius XM Radio	Intelligent Around View Monitor
	60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seats	7" Advanced Drive-Assist Display	Automatic LED Headlamps and Fog Lamps with LED Signature
	Driver's Armrest	Nissan Connect System	Rear Roof Spoiler
	One-Touch Up/Down Power Windows	Apple Car Play and Android Auto	Sport Cloth Seat Trim with Orange Accents
	Push Button Start	Cargo Cover
	Remote Keyless Entry
	Tilt And Telescopic Adjust Steering Wheel
	Variable Intermittent Front and Rear Wiper
	Rear Seat Center Armrest

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Since the price difference between the Mid "SV" and the "SR" trims is around $500, going for the top "SR" trim is a smart choice as you will get a fully loaded Kicks with some premium features, without paying a lot of price for the same.

"You should have enough muscle to easily get going from a stop, but you'll have to mash the pedal when speeding up to merge or pass on the highway"- cars.usnews.com

Engine and Transmission

There isn't a lot to state when we are discussing the Engine of the 2020 Nissan Kicks. However, this is an aggressively priced product and is more focused towards the market. Keeping this fact in mind, the Kicks' engine doesn't disappoint when taken this fact into consideration and is the least dull among the competition.

It has the least motor output in the class when you see it on paper but that compromise has been done to favor better fuel efficiency figures. With regards to power to weight ratio, the Kicks does well and the engine ensures that it doesn't run out of breathe when performing that odd overtaking maneuver.

Models	Nissan Kicks S suv	Honda HR-V LX suv	Hyundai Kona SE suv	Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i suv	Mazda CX-3 Sport suv	Buick Encore 1SV suv
MSRP	$18,540	$21,515	$21,035	$22,870	$21,365	$24,195
Engine	1.6L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.8L i4 Regular Unleaded	2.0L i4 Regular Unleaded	2.0L flat4 Regular Unleaded	2.0L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.4L i4 Turbocharged
Transmission	Continuously variable automatic	Continuously variable automatic	6 Speed automatic	6 Speed manual	6 Speed automatic	6 Speed automatic
Horsepower	125 hp@ 5800rpm	141 hp @ 6500 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	152 hp @ 6000 rpm	148 hp@ 6000rpm	138 hp@ 4900rpm
Torque	115 lb/ft@ 4000rpm	127 lb/ft@ 4300 rpm	132 lb/ft@ 4500 rpm	145 lb/ft@ 4000 rpm	146 lb/ft@ 2800rpm	148 lb/ft@ 1850rpm

A CVT Transmission comes in as the only transmission option for the 2020 Kicks. Nissan Engineers have done well when it comes to keeping the "Rubberband Effect" to the minimum level in the Kicks. The transmission also isn't sluggish on the shifts and does manage to do it correctly in most instances.

Acceleration

The Kicks isn't the best car, to do 0-60mph sprints and the engine hasn't been tuned to do the same. However, when coming off a red light, the Kicks' motor doesn't feel that slow. Pulling off the overtaking maneuvers won't be a tough task and slot the Kicks in the right gear and it won't disappoint you.

Models	Nissan Kicks S suv	Honda HR-V LX suv	Hyundai Kona SE suv	Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i suv	Mazda CX-3 Sport suv	Buick Encore 1SV suv
0-60 MPH	9.9 sec	9.3 sec	10 sec	9.2 sec	8.8 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter mile	17.6 sec	17.3 sec	17.3 sec	N/A	16.6 sec	N/A
Engine	1.6L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.8L i4 Regular Unleaded	2.0L i4 Regular Unleaded	2.0L flat4 Regular Unleaded	2.0L i4 Regular Unleaded	1.4L i4 Turbocharged
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	5.3	6.0	6.6	6.1	6.1	6.3

People looking for a faster accelerating SUV have other options to go for like the Buick Encore. Other SUVs in the segment have similar acceleration figures and the Kicks is better or similar in performance against them.

Ride and Handling

The Nissan Kicks has exceptional ride quality and floats over all undulations and potholes effortlessly. The suspension guarantees the ride quality isn't startling or unsteady and is a standout amongst the competition.

The steering isn't one of the better qualities of the Kicks. It is a run of the mill Nissan in feel and that implies, it doesn't offer much feel and feedback at slow city speeds. When you accelerate, however, the electronic steering weighs up well and offers better input.

One of the beneficial things in the Kicks is its turning radius, which is among the best in the segment. It makes taking U-Turns a breeze and without much fuss.

Braking

The braking performance of the Kicks is average. It does not have the biggest brakes or the shortest 60-0mph stopping distance, which is 133 feet. There is no noticeable nosedive in regular driving conditions. However, when applied during emergencies, you will feel a nosedive, which is acceptable in the segment.  

Model	Nissan Kicks S suv	Honda HR-V LX suv	Hyundai Kona SE suv	Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i suv	Mazda CX-3 Sport suv	Buick Encore 1SV suv
Brake Front (in.)	10.2	11.5	11	11.6	11	11.8
Brake Rear (in.)	8	11.1	10.3	10.8	11.1	10.6
Curb Weight (lbs.)	2639	2902	2890	3113	2809	3237
60-0 MPH (ft.)	133	127	175 (70-0)	N/A	135	N/A

The Automatic Emergency Braking adds to the braking prowess of the Nissan and the lightweight body shell adds to the braking effectiveness.

With the fuel prices rising globally, fuel efficiency and MPG figures are in the mind of a lot of crossover SUV buyers. The Nissan engineers had detuned the engine of the Kicks in favor of better fuel economy and that is what the tests have shown.

Model	Nissan Kicks S suv	Honda HR-V LX suv	Hyundai Kona SE suv	Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i suv	Mazda CX-3 Sport suv	Buick Encore 1SV suv
MPG (city)	31	28	27	23	29	26
MPG (highway)	36	34	33	29	34	31
MPG (combined)	33	30	30	25	31	28
Range (miles) (city/highway)	334.8/388.8	370/449	356/436	382/481	368/432	364/434
Tank Capacity (gal)	10.8	13.2	13.2	16.6	12.7	14.0

The 2020 Nissan Kicks returns an amazing 33 MPG of combined fuel efficiency which ranks amongst the best in class. The 10.8 gallon Fuel Tank, however, tends to be a downside to the package as the overall range is limited because of the same.

"The Kick's interior styling and makeup is a mixed bag - there are plenty of hard plastics in this Nissan, but it doesn't look or feel cheap. The overall design is fairly sleek and modern, and the interior remains quiet even when cruising at highway speeds" -Cars.usnews.com

Seating and Comfort

The seating and comfort is a territory Nissan wants to gloat about with the new 2020 Kicks. The seats have taken motivation from NASA's "Zero Gravity" structure which makes short drives and day to day errands a truly comfortable proposition. There are custom adjust armrests for both driver and passenger and the second-row seats have a 60/40 split function. The rear seats can easily seat 2 grown-ups but seating 3 abreast won't be the most suitable choice.

Model	Nissan Kicks S suv	Honda HR-V LX suv	Hyundai Kona SE suv	Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i suv	Mazda CX-3 Sport suv	Buick Encore 1SV suv
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.7/53/43.7	39.5/56.8/41.2	39.6/55.5/41.5	39.8/56.7/43.1	38.4/53.5/41.7	39.6/54.2/40.8
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/53.2/33.2	38.3/54.5/39.3	37.8/54.5/34.6	38.0/55.6/36.5	37.2/50.4/35.0	38.8/52.6/35.8

The seats have contrast stitching and have decent padding for people to be comfortable on short trips. The plastics on use, however, tend to justify the pricing of the Kicks as they don't make the cabin look premium from any angle.

Cargo Volume

The cargo volume also ranks in as one of the strongholds of the 2020 Nissan Kicks. The Kicks offers a massive 25.3cu.ft. storage space. Fold the seats as per the 60/40 configuration and that space multiplies to a whopping 53cu.ft.

Model	Nissan Kicks S suv	Honda HR-V LX suv	Hyundai Kona SE suv	Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i suv	Mazda CX-3 Sport suv	Buick Encore 1SV suv
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	25.3	24.3	19.2	20.8	12.4	18.8

Interestingly, the boot of the 2020 Nissan Kicks houses a spare tire that comes in really handy when the tires suffer a puncture. The boot can house lots of luggage and even have space left for adding some more.

Infotainment System

Nissan hasn't made many changes to the infotainment system of the 2020 Kicks. That being said, 2018 was pretty decently loaded with features and the 2020 edition continues to pack in the same. 

Interior Features

• Surround View Camera
• Push Button Start
• Leather Upholstery
• Steering Mounted Illuminated Controls
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• 7" Capacitive Touchscreen System
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Sirius XM Satellite Radio
• Radio Data System
• Android Auto and Apple Car Play as standard "SV" and "SR"

"Maybe it's because it calls to mind Volvo's great little XC40, but I found the Kicks attractive in a way that doesn't translate to the larger Nissan Rogue. The Juke, regardless of how you felt about its looks, was eye-catching; the Kicks brings quirk in a more modern-looking package" -Thedrive.com

Design and Dimensions

The dimensions of the Nissan Kicks is similar to what the competition looks like. With a low curb weight and high ground clearance, the Nissan Kicks offers a 'Big' SUV feel both from within and the outside and has an upper hand over the competition in this aspect.

Model	Nissan Kicks S suv	Honda HR-V LX suv	Hyundai Kona SE suv	Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i suv	Mazda CX-3 Sport suv	Buick Encore 1SV suv
Curb weight (lbs.)	2639	2902	2890	3113	2809	3237
Length(in)	169.1	170.4	164.0	175.8	168.3	168.4
Width(in)	69.3	69.8	70.9	71.0	69.6	69.9
Height(in)	62.4	63.2	61.0	63.6	60.7	65.3
Ground clearance (in)	7	7.3	6.7	8.7	6.1	6.2
Wheelbase (in)	103.1	102.8	102.4	104.9	101.2	100.6
Track width (in) F/R	59.8/60.4	60.4/60.6	62/62.4	61/61.2	60/59.9	60.7/60.6

The long wheelbase of the Kicks helps it gain an advantage over the competition in terms of the generous cargo space and interior space on offer. In terms of the exterior looks and design, we must say that the designers at Nissan have done a commendable job for making the Kicks look both stylish and compact. The Kicks has big unpainted fenders while the contrasting roofs, add an extra bit of character and style to the compact SUV. The tail of the Kicks have Boomerang taillamps that look both funky and offer great visibility to the cars behind.

 Exterior Features

• Auto On/Off LED Headlamps with LED Accents
• LED Fog Lamps
• Contrasting Roof Color Scheme
• 17" Aluminum Alloy wheels
• Body-Colored Heated ORVM
• Roof Rails on all variants
• Front Parking Sensors
• External Front and Rear Windshield Wipers

Inexpensive cars compromise on safety is the common notion among the people when buying vehicles like the Kicks. But with the Kicks, Nissan has proved that all frugal and thrifty vehicles don't compromise on the safety of the occupants inside.

The Kicks packs in features like Automatic Emergency Braking and Collision Warning as Standard while features like Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Keep Assist are available in the higher trims.

Other Safety Features include

• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Side Door Guard Beams
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• LATCH System
• Front Seat Belts Pre tensioners with Load Limiters
• Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control
• Front, Side, and Roof Mounted Airbags for Front and Rear Seat Passengers

IIHS Ratings

The IIHS has given a good rating to the 2020 Nissan Kicks because of its good set of standard safety features and good structural rigidity

Nissan Kicks vs. Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V has been in the compact SUV space for a while and has been quite a mass favorite. The Honda and the Nissan offer nearly the same space in the interiors , however, Nissan has a better Ground Clearance. Handling is pretty similar to both the cars so it's pretty much the same in both the cars. The HR-V beats the Kicks hands-on when it comes to performance but Nissan has traded off its performance for fuel-efficiency. The Kicks beats the Honda hands down in terms of MPG/Fuel Efficiency. So if a frugal SUV with good practicality is your preference, the Nissan has the edge.

Nissan Kicks vs. Kia Soul

The Kia Soul has been the best selling compact crossover in the segment for a while now because of its looks, customization options, safety, and other features. The Nissan has tried to copy a few tricks from the book of the Soul like customization options and safety. The Kia, despite these, has an upper hand in terms of the overall looks both in the interiors and the exteriors. The Nissan Kicks, however, looks the funkier than the 2 and the cavernous boot and huge interior space make it the more practical of the two.

Nissan Kicks vs. Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona is the only car in this segment to offer a turbocharged engine and it delivers impressive performance and great driving dynamics. The Hyundai also comes with multiple engine options and the option of AWD. The Nissan is a bit subdued as compared to the Hyundai in terms of engine and performance but it more than makes up for it with its unprecedented practicality and fuel economy. The Kicks also offers a massive cargo space with its seats folded up and liberates more than double the space offered with the seats folded up.

The 2020 Nissan Kicks carries forward a lot of stuff, over its predecessor but comes with an increased price tag. The Kicks gets a lot of cool features and clever customization options for people who like their cars, to be funky and stylish. The interiors are built to a cost but the standard equipment and safety list is better than the rivals. The Kicks still have the highest cargo space in the segment and enormous interior space. The 2020 Nissan Kicks is hence the aptest buy for a person, who is looking for an SUV in a compact silhouette with the flexibility of a hatchback around City.