The redesigned 2025 Nissan Kicks has arrived at dealers with a starting price of $23,220, including a $1,390 destination fee, Nissan announced on Tuesday.
The second-generation small crossover costs $490 more than the 2024 Kicks, but will now serve as the entry point to the brand alongside the Sentra, following the planned discontinuation of the Nissan Versa subcompact car. The farewell for the Versa follows the last dance of the Kia Rio and the mysterious end of the Mitsubishi Mirage, leaving the U.S. market with no new cars priced under $20,000.
Automakers like Nissan have shifted their focus from affordable but less popular subcompact cars and hatchbacks to small crossovers, such as the Nissan Kicks and the 2025 Chevy Trax. At $21,495, the Trax is the cheapest new car and the best budget car we tested in 2024.
The updated 2025 Kicks jumps ahead of the Trax with a feature the Chevy lacks: available all-wheel drive. Larger, roomier, more stylish, and more powerful for 2025, the new Kicks comes with a 2.0-liter inline-4 that makes 141 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. It pairs with a CVT driving the front wheels. AWD is available for $1,500 on S and SR trims, though it's $1,650 on the most popular SV trim.
Nissan replaces a twist beam axle with a multilink rear suspension on AWD models that should handle lateral and vertical movements better. It also increases ground clearance significantly (8.4 inches) compared to its predecessor (7.0 inches), and is 2.7 inches longer with a wheelbase that has grown by 1.5 inches. It's wider and taller, too, which enhances both passenger and cargo space.
Every Kicks comes well equipped with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, lane-departure warnings, and automatic high beams. Its 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is supplemented by complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles.
Standard convenience features on the $23,200 Kicks S include two 7.0-inch screens, one USB-A port, cloth seats, keyless start, and 16-inch steel wheels.
Opting for the SV will cost $25,070, but the upgrades will feel more modern with a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Other features include Bluetooth pairing, a wireless smartphone charger, and automatic locks. An SV Premium package is available for $1,500 that offers heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and a few other features. It rolls on 17-inch steel wheels.
The 2025 Kicks SR tops the lineup at $27,560 ($29,070 with AWD). It features accent stitching on synthetic leather upholstery, ambient lighting, automatic climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, a surround-view camera system, and a limited hands-free driving system. It also comes with adaptive cruise control and can be upgraded with a $1,950 SR Premium package that adds to the SV Premium package a heated steering wheel, Bose audio, and remote start.
Manufactured in Mexico, the 2025 Kicks is on sale now.
Adrian is an Editor. Psychology graduate with over 4 years in the automotive industry, 3 in front of the camera. Occasionally seen at his family owned tyre shop. He will only buy cars that pass the big bottle test.
