2020 Nissan Kicks

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is an eye-grabbing subcompact SUV that is not only inexpensive as it costs less than $20,000. This front-wheel-drive-only Nissan may not be particularly fast but is highly fuel-efficient. The interior boasts a big touchscreen while Nissan equips every Kicks model with more active safety features under the umbrella of Safety Shield 360.

The 2020 Nissan Kicks's pricing starts at $18,870 for the base S trim, Which is relatively low for the subcompact class, including the rivals such as Toyota C-HR, and Ford Ecosport. Next-in line SV trim costs $20,500, while the top-spec SR trim begins from $21,120.

The base S trim comes equipped with a good amount of interior and safety technology such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, but it misses out on standard with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The SV trim brings the NissanConnect infotainment system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio as standard fitment.

The top-of-the-line SR trim adds more luxuries including a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a surround-view parking camera system. You can also configure your 2020 Kicks with the available SR Premium package for $1,000 and get an additional 8-speaker Bose stereo, heated front seats, and synthetic leather seats.

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Since the price difference between the Mid "SV" and the "SR" trims is around $600, going for the top-spec "SR" trim is a smart choice as you will get 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

The Nissan Kicks comes with a 122-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a CVT automatic transmission (CVT). Nissan does not offer any optional upgraded engine with the 2020 Kicks unlike some rivals including Ford EcoSport. The Kicks is good for daily driving in the city but on the freeway, it feels lethargic and takes time to catch speed.

Like the Toyota CH-R, the Nissan Kicks is available only with front-wheel drive (FWD). This reduces the Kicks appeal in all-weather situations which need more traction of the AWD. 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. 

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 2020 Kicks goes from 0-60mph 9.7 seconds, which is the slowest you will find in the class. The barking is equally leisurely, as the Kicksneeded 140 feet to stop from 60 mph in the emergency braking test. For a lightweight and small SUV like Nissan Kicks such performance isn't appreciated.

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.

With the EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, the 2020 Kicks returns a superb gas mileage in the subcompact SUV class. Every Kicks model comes with a small 10.8-gallon fuel tank capacity which is good for an overall driving range of 356 miles.

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 in comparison to the rivals such as C-HR and Hyundai Venue.

"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

At the starting of the review, we discussed how the Nissan Kick's affordable pricing in the subcompact class makes it an appealing car, but the price cut is seemingly visible in the average interior quality. The 2020 Kicks boasts comfortable seating and space along with a modern and sleek interior design. The seats are inspired by the "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.

The seats have contrast stitching and have decent padding for people to be comfortable on short trips. The hard plastics on use, however, tend to justify the pricing of the Kicks as they don't make the cabin look premium from any angle. At 25.3 cubes, the cargo space is another stronghold of the Nissan Kicks. Fold the seats as per the 60/40 configuration and that space multiplies to a whopping 53 cu.ft.

Nissan hasn't made many changes to the infotainment system of the 2020 Kicks. With the base Kicks, you will get a standard 7-inch touch screen, a six-speaker audio system, three USB ports, Bluetooth, and Siri Eyes Free. However, upgrading to SV or SR adds a NissanConnect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and satellite radio.

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. " -Thedrive.com

The Nissan Kicks is one of the handsome-looking subcompact SUVs with a “floating roof” design. The dimensions are similar to most of the class rivals. With a low curb weight ranging from 2,691 to 2,720 pounds and high ground clearance rated at 7 inches, 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.

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. 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 has Boomerang taillamps that look both funky and offer great visibility to the cars behind.

On SV and SR models, Nissan offers a white or black roof for $250. Also, the base Kicks ride on 16-inch steel wheels, and the SV and SR trims look much better with standard 17-inch aluminum alloys.

 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

The NHTSA gave the 2020 Nissan Kicks four out of five stars in the rollover test. The IIHS named the Kicks SR its Top Safety Pick thanks to the highest rating of Good in all six crashworthiness tests. Nissan's standard automatic emergency braking has been rated "Superior" in the front crash prevention test while headlights gain mixed reviews. 

For 2020, the Kicks comes standard with lots of safety features as a part of the Safety Shield 360 suite, including a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and high-beam assist. Higher trims get more active safety features such as a surround-view parking camera system and driver drowsiness monitoring.

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

2020 Nissan Kicks vs. 2020 Toyota C-HR

The 2020 Nissan Kicks and the 2020 Toyota C-HR, both have a modern, eye-grabbing design in the subcompact crossover segment. The C-HR has the advantage of lower and wider dimensions along with bigger wheels while the Kick's small footprint allows it to easily zip around the traffic. ?On the inside, the Toyota C-HR matches the Kicks’ standard features but adds standard Apple CarPlay and an 8-inch touchscreen to eat it. On the other hand, the Kicks' available Android Auto is a plus, which the C-HR lacks.

Though the Nissan Kicks is smaller than the 2020 C-HR, the Nissan is roomier. Though none of the crossovers is performance-oriented, the Toyota C-HR is more powerful at 144 horsepower but is almost more than 1 second slower in 0-60 mph test due to high cur weight. Also, the Nissan Kick's pricing starts much lower than the Toyota C-HR and the Nissan returns the class-leading fuel economy numbers.

2020 Nissan Kicks vs. 2020 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 funkier than the two and the cavernous boot and huge interior space make it the more practical of the two.

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is one of the better-looking subcompact crossovers which undercuts almost every competitor in the class. 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 are better than the rivals. The Nissan Kicks still have the highest cargo space in the segment and enormous interior space comparable to every other rival. The 2020 Nissan Kicks is hence the most sensible buy for those looking for an affordable yet stylish SUV in a compact silhouette with the flexibility of a hatchback around city.