- The Nissan Kicks was refreshed for 2021
- Affordable, practical transportation with distinctive looks
- Available in base S, mid-range SV, and top SR trims
- Pricing starts at $19,600 Price it your way
- On sale now | See Nissan Kicks models for sale near you
The 2021 Nissan Kicks is a stylish subcompact SUV with many things going for it. It won’t receive any upgrades of note for 2022 since it was just refreshed for the current model year. It impresses with a “let’s have some fun” attitude. The Kicks boasts a tidy footprint on the outside but gives its passengers the opportunity to sit higher, as you would in a larger SUV or crossover.
Even though it is smartly priced, the Kicks still impresses with an abundance of features. They include a full array of 10 airbags and the standard Safety Shield 360 suite with an array of automated driver-assist features. Sadly, this Nissan still lacks all-wheel drive but offers an impressive, nearly best-in-class fuel economy rating of 36 mpg highway.
Passenger Room and Comfort
The 5-passenger Nissan Kicks is comfortable and roomy despite being a subcompact SUV. Fitted with “Zero Gravity” seats, it is a capable and comfortable performer, even on longer cross-town or cross-country trips. There’s 6-way driver and 4-way passenger seat adjustability. The Nissan Kicks includes “best-in-class” front-seat legroom. The rear seat offers room for passengers that won’t leave them feeling excessively cramped.
There’s not a lot of storage space to stash small items in front, but the driver and front-row passenger can take advantage of the roomy door pockets and glove box.
Features and Tech
The base level 2021 Kicks includes standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 7-inch touchscreen display. There’s also Bluetooth hands-free phone system, streaming audio via Bluetooth, and three USB ports. The list continues with keyless entry, push-button start, intelligent auto headlights, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. That’s one of our favorite features because of the way it sounds the horn when proper tire inflation has been achieved.
The mid-grade Nissan Kicks SV trim brings a long list of additional features. They include the Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic temperature controls, and a 7-inch Advanced Driver Alert Display. There is also an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen display, SiriusXM Radio, Remote Engine Start, a USB-C port, and more.
Finally, the top Kicks SR adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather shift knob, the Intelligent Around View Monitor, and more. There is an additional feature in the SR Premium package that includes a Bose audio system with an amplifier, eight speakers ( including in the driver’s headrest), heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The package is rounded out with a security system, a cargo area tonneau cover, NissanConnected Services, and an available Wi-Fi hot spot with over-the-air updates for head-unit firmware.
Materials and Design
Material qualities inside are well-designed and offer many premium features. We suggest buyers step up to the SV or SR grades, where you will receive new seat and door trim designs as an upgrade from the base model. The SR trim level includes seat fabric with interior trim and accents but can be enhanced with Prima-Tex (synthetic leather) appointed seating. At those levels, you will also take advantage of a full center console with an armrest.
Nissan has seen fit to put a bit of color inside to help break up the monotony of having a completely black interior. The dashboard includes red contrast stitching to accomplish the same purpose.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
As we mentioned above, there aren’t many cubby holes to store a phone, glasses, or a purse. There is, however, plenty of room to stash a stroller in the back. There, the cargo area provides 25.3 cubic feet of space behind the second row. Fold the 60/40-split fold-down rear seat and that area climbs to an almost class-leading 53 cubic feet.
If that 53 cubic feet of storage is not enough available space, painted roof rails can assist in carrying any cargo overflow you may need to take along for the ride.
More 2021 Nissan Kicks
Build and price your own 2021 Nissan Kicks to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own, and more, or see Kicks models for sale near you.
