2027 Nissan Kicks

Fully redesigned in 2025 and lightly updated last year, the 2027 Nissan Kicks gets further improvements this year with the addition of the off-road-themed Rock Creek package, further enhancing the Kicks’ available all-wheel drive (AWD) and above-average ground clearance. But beyond the spec sheet, the affordable Kicks is a rare vehicle in its class because it makes you feel something, whether it’s because of the looks, the features, or the overall package.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating the current crop of subcompact SUVs, including the Nissan Kicks.

For 2027, the Kicks keeps its equipment and trim lines intact, but adds a new Rock Creek package. The Kicks Rock Creek is based on the SV trim and adds upgrades for better off-road performance and style, including exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels, a unique lighting signature, upholstery upgrades, plus Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control.

The Kicks sees a modest price increase this year, up about $300-$500 across most trims. That keeps the Kicks priced competitively against segment rivals like the Chevy Trax, Honda HR-V, and Hyundai Kona.

Before you buy a subcompact SUV, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Nissan Kicks resale value is about average for the segment. In addition to getting the best price on your new car, getting the right resale value on your old car can mean more money to put down and lower monthly payments on your new vehicle.

The 2027 Nissan Kicks’ 141-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine isn’t going to set any hearts ablaze with its amazing output or acceleration, but it’s peppy enough for freeway merges and passing, while also getting 30 mpg combined when equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) or 31 mpg with front-wheel drive (FWD).

Whichever drive type you choose, the Kicks’ higher seating position and broad, unobstructed view make for easy maneuvering whether in traffic or a parking lot. It’s also easy to park, thanks to its compact size.

The Kicks feels nimble and easy to drive, rather than heavy or ponderous like some larger SUVs can feel. What concessions the Kicks makes to sportiness, however, it makes up for in comfort, with smooth ride quality, a trait enhanced by Nissan’s comfortable Zero Gravity seats.

Our one complaint with the Kicks’ road manners is a common one in this segment: noise. Whether it’s wind or tire noise, the Kicks has a noticeable level of both, especially at highway speeds. This is especially true with tires biased for off-pavement use; something to keep in mind if you’re considering the rugged Rock Creek model.

Powertrain

Given the Kicks’ futuristic, upscale exterior, you might have high expectations for the interior, and fortunately, you won’t be disappointed. The Kicks’ cabin is a classy space, with elegant lines, nice materials for the money, and plenty of tech.

Speaking of tech, last year’s updates brought the 12.3-inch center display to all trims, making it standard equipment. That’s a substantial display size for this segment, made all the more substantial by the 7-inch (or 12.3-inch in the SR trim) driver’s display.

We’d be remiss if we forgot to mention the Zero Gravity seats once again, as they have proved comfortable for our testers across a wide range of body types, on trips both long and short. The rear seats, however, could do with a bit more legroom for taller occupants, as both the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos offer noticeably more.

If you’re looking for cargo space, the Kicks has some of that, too, although being a subcompact SUV, it’s not the one you’d choose to bring home that new washer/dryer set. With the rear seats up, there’s 30 cubic feet of space, and that grows to 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, provided you pick the FWD model. If you opt for AWD, you’ll lose a fair amount of cargo space; it falls to 23.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 50.1 cubic feet with them folded.

Crisp, clean lines, curves in the right places, and futuristic light signatures and details make the Kicks a special entry in the often humdrum subcompact SUV field. Add in the available two-tone exterior color treatment, the new Rock Creek package, and the per-trim style variations, and the Kicks is anything but boring despite coming in right around $30,000 in its most expensive form.

Despite the Kicks’ small exterior dimensions, it offers a pretty impressive amount of ground clearance, nearly matching vehicles in the segment above it at 8.4 inches. That’s just a bit behind the likes of the non-Wilderness version of the Subaru Crosstrek, which offers 8.7 inches of ground clearance

Standard adaptive cruise control
The Kicks’ adaptive cruise control is effective and reliable, holding its speed well both uphill and downhill and maintaining the desired distance from traffic in front. Even better, the system is standard.

Available AWD
It’s not standard equipment, but it’s the first Kicks to offer AWD, and it’s one of the growing list of subcompact SUV options to offer the feature. It’s a welcome safety boon in slippery conditions.

Nissan Safety Shield 360
This safety suite is standard on all variants of the Kicks, and brings with it automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, high-beam assist, and more.