We recommend going for the top-most SR trim as it is justified for the additional features like LED headlights, surround-view monitor, a leather steering wheel, a rear spoiler, and all other features on the lower trim levels. Another reason for recommending is the availability of the SR Premium package that can be added to make the Kicks a better-equipped car.

The Kicks has nearly everything a modern smartphone-using driver needs- Edmunds

Nissan will continue to offer three trims for the Kicks. They are S, SV, and SR. Nissan hasn’t announced the dates for the launch of 2022 Kicks and hence, pricing is not available. There will be a slight increase in price but we expect the 2022 Kicks to release with no major changes as it received several updates last year. Like any other Nissan, the Kicks benefits from a lengthy standard features list.  

The Kicks also offers a plethora of driver-assist technologies right from the base S trim. Only one optional package is available for the Kicks which is the SR Premium package. This package adds leatherette seats, Nissan Connect services, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel for $1,200. 

*2021MY data used for reference

Also Read:

• Nissan to offer NISMO versions of their pickups, SUVs, and crossovers

Despite its underwhelming powertrain and paltry acceleration, the Kicks is actually somewhat pleasant to drive- Autotrader

Under the hood, the Nissan Kicks has the same naturally aspirated 1.6L inline-4 engine that produces 122 hp and 114 lb-ft. of torque. This engine is mated with X-Tronic CVT which delivers the power to the front wheels. You won’t feel any power lag in city driving, but on highways, it can feel a bit slow while overtaking. But you can switch to Sports mode for a better response from the engine. 

The Kicks comes with the same suspension setup as the Versa. It offers acceptable ride quality over bad roads. When it comes to handling, the Kicks inspire less confidence in the drivers at the corners and there is a lot of body roll. The steering is nicely weighted but it lacks proper feedback from the road. Its light curb weight and compact proportions help it to tackle traffic and meander easily at tight parking spots. 

Don't expect much performance from this powertrain as the Kicks fails to provide even the basic excitement. With a 0-60 MPH time of 10.1 seconds, it is one of the slowest cars in its class. It further sprints to complete the quarter-mile in 17.7 seconds. In terms of braking, the SV and SR trim come with rear disc brakes which help it to attain a braking distance of 119 feet when stopped from 60  MPH. 

*2021MY data used for reference

The Toyota C-HR makes the most power here but its heavy curb weight results in sluggish acceleration. The Hyundai Venue's performance stats are better than all other rivals. Despite making more power, the Honda HR-V's performance is similar to the Kicks. Also, the HR-V also comes with an AWD setup, which is an added benefit. 

Also Read:

• Everything you need to know about the 2023 Nissan Z

The Kicks' fuel economy varies wildly based on driving style- Edmunds

This is the area where the Nissan Kicks stands out in the segment. As the engine is rumored to remain the same as before, the Kicks returns a fabulous fuel economy. Its EPA-rated numbers are 31 MPG in the city, 36 MPG on the highway, and 33 MPG combined. These ratings easily overtake other rivals in the segment. 

However, the Kicks is fitted with a 10.8-gallon, which is probably the smallest in its class. Therefore, its driving range is not that impressive compared to its rivals. At its full capacity, the Kicks is able to reach 335 miles in the city, 389 miles on the highway, and 356 miles combined. Still, these numbers are not that bad for a subcompact SUV. 

*2021MY data used for reference

As mentioned earlier, nothing beats the Kicks in terms of fuel economy. The Toyota C-HR has the lowest fuel estimates here for a subcompact SUV. The Honda HR-Va and the Hyundai Venue's fuel economy are also average but the former's large fuel tank allows it to offer the highest range among the lot. 

Also Read:

• Scoop! Pathfinder caught testing

The Kicks offers a roomy and versatile interior- Kelly Blue Book

When you step into the cabin of the Nissan Kicks, you will notice that it has a much premium feel. The entire dash is covered with soft-touch material, which feels good to look at. Attention to details like chrome accents on the AC vents, illuminated physical controls, and flat-bottom steering wheel help it to differentiate from its rivals. The seats are treated with cloth but the top-end SR trim gets contrast stitching.

Cushioning is very soft and comfort is spot on. The front seats can be manually adjustable for a comfortable seating position. Creature comforts like heated front seats and steering wheel are only optional on the SR trim. The front row is adequately spacious for a grown adult but less legroom is offered at the back in comparison to its rivals. However, two adults can sit comfortably, at least for short trips. 

On the technology front, the Kicks gets a 7-inch touchscreen on the S trim and an 8-inch display on other models. Both screens come standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Navigating through the menus is pretty straightforward. the interface is smooth but the graphics seem dated. A 6-speaker stereo is standard but audiophiles can upgrade to an 8-speaker Bose sound system available on the SR trim. 

*2021MY data used for reference

The Kicks gets 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is the best among all. You get a maximum cargo space of 53.1 cubic feet, if the rear seats are folded too. However, these seats don't fold completely flat and the wheel wells take up most of the space. Nevertheless, the Kicks is a practical vehicle. Some other interior features are:

• Automatic climate control
• Remote engine start
• Proximity keyless entry
• Leather steering wheel
• 7 & 8-inch touchscreen w/ smartphone integration
• 6-speaker stereo
• Satellite radio
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• 7-inch digital gauge cluster

Also Read:

• 2022 Nissan Rogue Gets An All-New Gutsy VC-Turbo Engine

It’s handsome, and it manages to have some visual flair without going overboard- Kelly Blue Book

After last year's refresh, the exterior of the Nissan Kicks is one of the best in terms of the overall design. Nissan's signature V motion grille remains the same. It gets new slimmer LED headlamps with signature accents and new fog lamp housing as well. It gets a contrasting dual-tone color which makes the Kicks look more sporty. It comes with a wide range of color options to choose from. Speaking of dimensions, the Kicks is slightly shorter than the competition.  

However, it sports a wide wheelbase for stable handling. The standard variant gets 16-inch steel wheels, whereas the SV and SR come with 17-inch black alloy wheels which look ravishing. You can also get the Kicks customized from Nissan according to your taste. At the rear, you get new bigger LED tail lamps with a unique design. Between the tail lamps, you get a piano black strip that joins with both the tail lamps and has Nissan badging in between. 

*2021MY data used for reference

The Toyota C-HR is bigger in length had heavier than the Kicks. Hence, its on-road performance is very sluggish. The Hyundai Venue has the smallest wheelbase in this competition. This helps it to burn out quicker while accelerating. The Honda HR-V sits 0.3 inches higher than the Kicks for better ride quality. Highlights of the Kicks's exterior include:

• LED auto high-beam headlights
• LED fog lamps
• LED taillights
• LED DRLs
• Heated exterior mirrors
• Rear roofline spoiler
• Black grille
• Aluminum bodyside moldings
• 16 & 17-inch wheels

Also Read:

• 2023 Nissan Ariya, First All-Electric Crossover For A New Era

Nissan provides a host of standard driver-assistance technology- CarAndDriver

The 2022 Nissan Kicks hasn’t been tested as it is yet to release. Therefore, the 2021 model's ratings are considered as there are no structural changes. IIHS has rated it 'Good' in all crash tests yet it loses the 'Top Safety Pick' title as its headlights were not tested. NHTSA gave it four out of five stars for its crashworthiness. 

The Kicks come with all basic and advanced safety features. Most of them are standard but some driver aids are added on upper trims. All these things point out one thing that the Nissan Kicks is a safe vehicle and will keep the passengers safe. It also packs a suite of 10 airbags, which is really impressive. Some features are:

• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
• Rearview camera
• Surround-view monitor
• Hill-start assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Driver condition monitor
• Rear parking sensors
• Rear door alert

Also Read:

• Nissan Pathfinder Project Overland Revealed At SEMA 2021

2022 Nissan Kicks vs 2021 Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V houses an underwhelming engine like the Kicks but its sporty handling makes it interesting to drive. The HR-V's rear row is more spacious and its cargo capacity is slightly better. The Kicks has an upper hand in the rest of the areas. It has a class-leading fuel economy, a longer list of standard features, and more standard driver aids. Overall, the Kicks seems a better pick. 

2022 Nissan Kicks vs 2022 Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue is very similar to the Kicks in terms of engine and performance. But the Venue is a small car and therefore, its rear-seat space and cargo capacity are less but it is highly maneuverable. Like the Kicks, the Venue also offers more standard features. The infotainment system features wireless connectivity in the Venue, which is good news for tech freaks. 

2022 Nissan Kicks vs 2022 Toyota C-HR

The Toyota C-HR stands out in the segment for its exterior styling. It offers a sluggish acceleration and its fuel ratings are also lower than the Kicks. Inside, the rear row is cramped for adults while the cargo space is one of the smallest in the segment. However, it comes with an array of driver-assist features and a lengthy standard features list. Overall, the Kicks is a better car. 

The Nissan Kicks is arguably one of the top-ranking subcompact SUVs in its class. It is money well-spent depending on what your priorities are. Obviously, the biggest downside is its underpowered engine but at the same time, it also offers a lot of practicality and features for its price. Therefore, if you are on the hunt for a subcompact SUV, do shortlist the Kicks to your shopping list.