It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a brand new vehicle with a real sense of joi de vivre.
Enter the Nissan Kicks. Launched in 2018 for North America, the Kicks effectively serves as the Nissan Juke’s replacement in that market. It’s dimensionally similar to the Juke, but with a longer wheelbase that allows for additional legroom in the cabin and a slightly more stable, comfortable ride.
Despite its minuscule price tag, the Nissan Kicks still has plenty to offer the pragmatic car shopper. Affordability is its chief virtue, with a base MSRP in the US of just $18,640 before destination—thousands cheaper than most everything else in the segment. Yet the Kicks isn’t exactly spartan, shipping standard with push-button ignition, automatic emergency braking, cruise control, and a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth.
Similar in footprint to the Rogue Sport, the Nissan Kicks has brought a certain amount of redundancy to Nissan’s lineup. But that model line sits higher up-market than the Kicks, offering AWD and a more premium look and feel—effectively a “Rogue Lite”. The Kicks is simpler and more humble in its aims.