2023 Nissan Kicks Review From KBB.com

2023 Nissan Kicks Review

By Russ Heaps

As a starter vehicle, the 2023 Nissan Kicks shines. Packing a whopping amount of technology and spunkiness into a tidy, affordable package, Nissan’s tiniest SUV makes a big impression. What’s more, it looks pretty good, too. Pricing starts at $20,290.

Nissan decided to trot out the 2023 Kicks without any changes from the previous year. Although we’d cheer for a bit more get-up-and-go, we find this small crossover very easy to live with. The Korean brands deserve the recognition they receive for value; however, the Kicks has earned the same praise. It opens with the base S grade, providing a legion of surprises. For example, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, proximity keyless entry, and a comprehensive bundle of safety and driver-aid technologies are all standard.

Nissan engineered the Kicks to be an urban warrior. Therefore, it’s easy to park, has a sufficient spark for stop-and-go city driving, and delivers an estimated 33 mpg in combined driving. Check, check, check.

Easy on the eye and the wallet, the 2023 Nissan Kicks is a sensible place to begin your search for a subcompact crossover. Others you may want to check out include the Hyundai Venue, Toyota C-HR, and Chevy Trailblazer.

The 2023 Nissan Kicks starts at $20,290. Nissan keeps things relatively simple for Kicks buyers. For instance, there are only three trim levels. Moreover, only the top-end SR grade offers any factory-installed option packages. You don’t even need to dither over all-wheel drive (AWD) because the Kicks doesn’t offer it; it is front-wheel drive only.

The top-end Kicks SR starts at $22,850, a reasonable $2,560 upcharge that brings with it a lot of content. For example, a larger 8-inch touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a surround-view monitor, and much more. If your budget can manage it, we say, go for the gusto and grab the SR.

Every Kicks is also subject to a $1,295 destination charge.

Nissan achieves the respectable estimated fuel economy numbers it does with the Kicks by mating a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). On one hand, this duo delivers solid mileage. On the other hand, acceleration is, shall we say, leisurely. Around town, you won’t notice it as you zip by gas station after gas station. The Kicks is well-suited to the cadence of crowded city streets. Where you might notice it is heading uphill with a cabin full of people and a cargo area packed with luggage.

For a tiny crossover, the Kicks provides a relatively pliant ride, and the steering is responsive. We live in an age of small crossovers managing mpg with a CVT. One common issue they all share is maintaining higher than usual rpms, which can cause a fairly constant drone under the hood. It does carry into the cabin.

As a runner of errands, a big plus for the Kicks is the generous — by subcompact standards — cargo area. It is roughly the same as in the Trailblazer, but significantly larger than the Venue and C-HR.

Nissan furnishes the tidy cabin for five. However, we think three adults across the 60/40 split-folding backseat is tight for jaunts longer than getting to the office lunch spot. Up front, two can sit comfortably, enjoying the view. The cloth-covered front seats offer multiple manual adjustments. Ten airbags provide some peace of mind.

Passengers can stay connected through Bluetooth, and three USB ports keep the devices charged. We find the infotainment system with its 6-speaker audio system and satellite-radio capability to be user-friendly.

Top Features And Tech

Impressive Fuel Economy