Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Nissan Kicks Model Years (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Nissan Kicks Model Years (Ranked)
The Nissan Kicks is one of the most sensible used subcompact crossovers on the market, prizing efficiency, low running costs, and surprising interior room over performance. Sold in the United States since the 2018 model year, it uses a single naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with a CVT (continuously variable transmission), and unusually for the class it is front-wheel drive only in North America.
That simplicity is a virtue: there is no turbo, no all-wheel-drive hardware, and no complex hybrid system to fail. Choosing the right model year mostly comes down to safety-feature availability, infotainment updates, and the 2025 redesign. This ranking covers the best Kicks years, what changed, the known issues, and where the value lies today.
Direct Answer
The best overall Nissan Kicks is the 2021-2024 first-generation facelift, which made automatic emergency braking standard, added a larger 8-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and refined the styling while keeping the durable 1.6L/CVT drivetrain and rock-bottom running costs.
For shoppers focused on value, the best value is the 2020 model year, which gained standard Safety Shield 360 driver aids and the bigger screen yet now sells at a low used price. The all-new 2025 second generation is the most capable and finally offers all-wheel drive, but it commands near-new pricing.
Avoid expecting strong acceleration from any Kicks; the 122-horsepower engine prioritizes economy over speed.
1. 2021-2024 First Generation (Facelift) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The facelifted first-generation Kicks is the sweet spot. For 2021 Nissan refreshed the front and rear styling, made automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection standard across the lineup, and fitted a standard 7-inch or available 8-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The proven 1.6L four-cylinder (122 hp) and CVT deliver about 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, among the best in the class without a hybrid. The cabin is roomy for the segment, the ride is comfortable, and reliability has been strong. A 2021-2024 SR with the optional Bose audio and two-tone roof is the most appealing used pick, combining the latest safety tech with the lowest operating costs.
2. 2020 First Generation 💎 BEST VALUE
The 2020 Kicks is the value champion. It was the year Nissan added Safety Shield 360 as standard on the SV and SR trims, bundling automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. It also introduced the available 8-inch touchscreen and standard smartphone integration.
Mechanically identical to earlier cars with the dependable 1.6L/CVT combination, it returns the same excellent fuel economy. The best value is a 2020 SR, which now trades at a low used price while offering nearly all the equipment of later cars. For a budget-minded buyer who wants modern driver aids without paying facelift money, the 2020 is the smart choice.
3. 2025 Second Generation (All-New)
The redesigned 2025 Kicks is the most capable version yet and the first to offer all-wheel drive in North America, addressing the original's biggest limitation. It is larger inside, adopts a bolder SUV-like design, and gains a more powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder (around 141 hp) with the CVT.
The interior steps upscale with available dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and improved materials. As the newest option it carries the longest factory warranty and the most current technology, but also near-new pricing and the shortest reliability track record.
Buy this one if you want AWD, more power, and the latest cabin tech and can pay a premium.
4. 2019 First Generation
The 2019 Kicks was the model's second year on sale and a steady, dependable choice. It carried over the efficient 1.6L four-cylinder and CVT, standard forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and a 7-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SV and SR trims.
With a couple more years of refinement than the launch car and a low used price, the 2019 is an easy recommendation for a frugal commuter. Interior space remains a standout, with more rear legroom and cargo room than the subcompact footprint suggests. Confirm the CVT operates smoothly and that scheduled fluid changes were performed.
5. 2022-2023 First Generation — SR Trim
The top SR trim of the facelifted Kicks is worth singling out for buyers who want the most equipment. It adds 17-inch alloy wheels, available Bose Personal Plus audio with speakers built into the front headrests, a two-tone roof, heated front seats, and upgraded interior trim.
All of it sits atop the same 1.6L/CVT drivetrain and excellent economy, so running costs stay low. The SR makes the Kicks feel a class above its price. A clean 2022-2023 SR delivers near-loaded features, standard automatic emergency braking, and modern infotainment at a used price that undercuts most rivals.
It is the most satisfying way to own a first-generation Kicks.
6. 2018 First Generation (US Launch)
The 2018 Kicks launched the nameplate in the United States, replacing the Juke. It debuted the 1.6L four-cylinder (125 hp at launch), the CVT, and a front-wheel-drive-only layout, with a standard automatic emergency braking system on SV and SR trims. The styling was fresh and youthful, fuel economy was excellent, and cargo space was generous for the class.
As the first year, it has the longest history to evaluate; early cars have proven reliable when maintained. The trade-off is the oldest infotainment and fewer standard driver aids than later years. Buy a 2018 only at a clearly lower price than a 2019-2020 example.
7. 2018-2024 Kicks SV Trim
The mid-level SV trim is the volume seller and the one most buyers should target across the first generation. It adds alloy wheels, automatic climate control, satellite radio, a 7-inch touchscreen, and standard smartphone integration over the base S, while costing far less than the SR.
On 2020-and-later SV cars, Safety Shield 360 is standard, making it the safety-and-value sweet spot. The 1.6L/CVT combination keeps fuel economy high and maintenance simple. For a practical commuter that hits the best balance of equipment and price, a 2020-2024 SV is the most rational Kicks purchase.
Verify the touchscreen, cameras, and driver-assist features all function before buying.
8. 2018-2024 Kicks S (Base Trim)
The base S trim is the cheapest way into a Kicks and still includes the essentials. Even on launch cars it offered standard automatic emergency braking and a 7-inch touchscreen, and later years added more standard safety tech. It rides on steel wheels with covers and forgoes some convenience features, but mechanically it is identical to pricier trims with the same efficient 1.6L/CVT drivetrain.
For a bare-bones, ultra-low-cost commuter, the S delivers the same reliability and fuel economy as the rest of the range. Choose the S only if budget is the overriding priority; the small step up to an SV buys meaningfully more equipment.
9. 2025 Second Generation — Front-Wheel Drive
The front-wheel-drive version of the all-new 2025 Kicks is the more affordable way into the second generation. It pairs the new 2.0L four-cylinder with the CVT and keeps strong fuel economy while delivering more power than the old 1.6L. Buyers get the larger cabin, modern dual-screen technology option, and updated styling, but skip the AWD hardware to save money and weight.
As a brand-new design it has the shortest reliability record, so a thorough test drive and warranty review matter. For shoppers who want the latest Kicks but do not need all-wheel drive, the front-drive 2025 is the sensible second-generation pick.
10. 2025 Kicks Play / Global Variant
In some markets Nissan continues the original Kicks alongside the new model under the Kicks Play name, retaining the 1.6L engine and CVT in a body close to the first-generation design. North American buyers will rarely encounter this variant, but it underscores how widely the Kicks platform is sold globally.
For U.S. Shoppers, the practical takeaway is that the proven 1.6L/CVT first-generation Kicks remains a sound used choice, while the redesigned 2025 is the model to buy new. Treat any imported or global variant as a curiosity; stick to the U.S.-market first generation or the 2025 redesign for parts, service, and warranty support.
What to Watch For When Buying
The Kicks is a simple, reliable vehicle, but a used buyer should still verify a few things:
- CVT health — the continuously variable transmission is the most important component to inspect. Confirm it accelerates smoothly without shuddering or flaring, and that CVT fluid changes were performed on schedule. A neglected CVT is the costliest potential repair.
- Safety-feature year — only 2020 and later cars have standard Safety Shield 360; if blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts matter to you, target those years.
- No all-wheel drive — every U.S. First-generation Kicks (2018-2024) is front-wheel drive only. If you need AWD, you must choose the 2025 second generation.
- Modest power — the 122-125 hp 1.6L engine is adequate, not quick. Test-drive on a highway on-ramp so the performance meets your expectations.
- Recall check — run the VIN through the NHTSA database for any open recalls, such as backup-camera or wiring-related campaigns, and confirm completion.
- Infotainment — verify the touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and cameras all work before purchase.
How to Choose
Match the Kicks to your priorities. For the best blend of safety tech, modern infotainment, and low running costs, a 2021-2024 facelift is the answer, with the SR trim offering the most features. For the best value, a 2020 model gains standard Safety Shield 360 at a lower price than later cars.
Buyers who need all-wheel drive or more power should step up to the all-new 2025 second generation, accepting near-new pricing. Bargain hunters can consider a 2018-2019 SV, but should favor the SV over the stripped-down S for the extra equipment. In every case, prioritize a documented CVT-fluid history and confirm all driver-assistance features function.
How to Choose Between Trims
Within any year, the SV trim is the value sweet spot, adding alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a larger touchscreen over the base S. Step up to the SR for heated seats, Bose audio, and a two-tone roof if you want a near-loaded feel. Avoid overpaying for the base S unless budget is the only consideration.
FAQ
Which Nissan Kicks years should I avoid? There are no truly bad Kicks years, but the 2018-2019 cars lack the standard Safety Shield 360 driver aids that arrived in 2020. If you want blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, target a 2020 or newer model. Always verify CVT maintenance regardless of year.
Does the Nissan Kicks come with all-wheel drive? No first-generation U.S. Kicks (2018-2024) offered all-wheel drive; every one is front-wheel drive only. The redesigned 2025 second generation is the first North American Kicks to offer available all-wheel drive, making it the choice for buyers in snowy climates.
Is the Nissan Kicks reliable? Yes. The Kicks uses a simple naturally aspirated 1.6L engine and a CVT with no turbo or hybrid complexity, and it has earned a strong reliability reputation. The main maintenance priority is keeping the CVT fluid changed on schedule to protect the transmission.
What fuel economy does the Nissan Kicks get? The first-generation 1.6L Kicks returns roughly 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, about 33 mpg combined, among the best in the subcompact crossover class without a hybrid system. The larger 2.0L engine in the 2025 model trades a little economy for more power.
Bottom Line
The Nissan Kicks is an underrated, low-cost subcompact crossover whose simplicity is its strength. The 2021-2024 facelift is the best overall pick, with standard automatic emergency braking, modern infotainment, and class-leading economy, while the 2020 model offers the best value now that prices have fallen.
Buyers needing all-wheel drive or more power should choose the redesigned 2025 second generation. Whatever the year, favor the SV or SR trim, confirm the CVT was maintained, and the Kicks delivers efficient, dependable transportation at a price that undercuts nearly every rival.
Sources
- Nissan USA official Kicks model history, trims, and specifications, nissanusa.com
- NHTSA recall and safety-rating database for Nissan Kicks by model year, nhtsa.gov
- EPA Fuel Economy ratings for Nissan Kicks by model year, fueleconomy.gov
- Edmunds Nissan Kicks generation reviews and used-car appraisals, edmunds.com
- Kelley Blue Book Nissan Kicks used values by model year, kbb.com
- Car and Driver Nissan Kicks reviews and 2025 redesign coverage, caranddriver.com
- Wikipedia Nissan Kicks generations and technical specifications, en.wikipedia.org