2025 Nissan Kicks: Bold and Practical

SUVs
May 9, 2025
Dan Gunay

The 2025 Nissan Kicks enters the new model year as stylish and budget friendly subcompact SUV, aimed at drivers who wants versatility and efficiency without sacrificing personality and fun. Known for its bold design, user-friendly tech, and impressive value, the Kicks continues to appeal to urban commuters and first-time SUV buyers alike. Whether you’re navigating tight city streets, or heading out on a weekend trip, the Kicks offers a practical and youthful option for everyday driving.

The 2025 Kicks debuts with a completely redesigned front fascia that gives it a more assertive and modern appearance. A larger, bolder grille dominates the front end, flanked by sleek, full-LED headlights that stretch toward the fenders. The new lighting signature features a distinc daytime running light motif that adds character and visibility. The front bumper is more sculpted, with sharper creases and angular air inlets that lend the Kicks a sportier edge, moving it away from the friendly, rounded look of the previous generation. The new face gives the Kicks a more premium and confident presence, especially when paired with higher trims featuring contrasting accents and gloss-black detailing.

From the side, the 2025 Kicks maintains its compact proportions, but now carries a more muscular and dynamic profile. In typical Nissan fashion, strong character lines run along the beltline and lower door sections, adding visual interest and a sense of motion. The floating roof design returns, but it is more refined, with a cleaner C-pillar and optional two-tone paint schemes that highlight its youthful energy. Wheel sizes are larger, which fill the arches better and improve the SUV stance. The side mirrors are repositioned for better aerodynamics and visibility, and black cladding around the wheel wells gives it a light crossover flavor without looking overly rugged.

At the rear, the 2025 Kicsk adopts a wider, more planted look, thanks to a full-width LED light bar that stretches across the hatch. The taillights are slimmer and more angular, echoing the front-end lighting theme. A revised rear bumper features integrated reflectors and skid plate elements, giving it a tougher and more mature vibe. The tailgate itself is more sculpted, and Nissan’s new badging placement adds to the cleaner, more modern design language. While still clearly a Kicks, the rear design now feels more in line with Nissan’s larger SUV, lending it a sense of upscale consistency.

The interior of the 2025 Nissan Kicks sees a major leap forward in both design and technology, aligning it more closely with Nissan’s newer model lineup. The dashboard has been completely reimagined with a horizontal layout that emphasizes simplicity. A standout feature is the available dual 12.3-inch displays, one for the digital instrument cluster, and the other one for the infotainment system – giving the cabin a high-tech, modern feel. Physical controls for climate and volume are still present, positioned just below the central screen for ease of use. Soft-touch materials and ambient lighting on higher trims add a touch of premium feel, while gloss black and silver accents provide contrast and flair.

Build quality has noticeably improved compared to the outgoing model. Surfaces that were once hard and basic now feels much more refined, especially in frequently touched areas like the armrests, door panels, and the center console. Nissan has clearly paid more attention to detail, with tighter panel gaps, improved materials, and a cleaner design overall. While it doesn’t quite reach premium territory, the 2025 Kicks now feels less like a cheap vehicle for rental feleets, and more like a toughtfully executed compact crossover.

Seat comfort is another area where the Kicks has made gains. The front seats are supportive and well-cushioned, but it is not as comfortable as the other Nissan models that comes with Zero Gravity seats. I have found the seat profile is a little narrow for larger adults, but it still offers decent amount of seat comfort. The interior space is used efficiently, with clever storage compartments and a surprisingly spacious cargo area for the class. Split-folding rear seats and a low load floor add to its practicality, enhancing its appeal as a daily commuter or weekend errand-runner.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks continues to shine in overall practicality, offering a well-thought-out interior layout and impressive cargo space for its class. With the rear seats up, the Kicks provides approximately 850 litres of trunk space, which is notably generous for a subcompact crossover. The low load floor and wide trunk opening enhance usability, easily accommodating groceries, luggage, or gear for weekend activities.

The Kicks takes a major step forward in capability with the introduction of all-wheel-drive – a first for the model and a key addition for drivers in regions with challenging weather. The AWD system is available in Canada across all trims, adds confidence on wet, snowy, or uneven roads without significantly compromising Kicks’ lightweight, urban friendly anture. It’s not a rugged off-roader, but the system is tuned for everyday safety and traction, making it a practical upgrade for those who regularly face unpredictable conditions.

Under the hood, the Kicks is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, paired with Nissan’s smooth-operating Xtronic continuously variable transmission. While not designed for performance, the drivetrain offers a balanced mix of efficiency and usability, with enough power for city commuting and highway driving. The CVT does a good job keeping the engine at the right RPM range for optimal torque.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks delivers a significantly more refined and composed driving experience than its predecessor, thanks to chassis enhancements and improved ride quality. It remains an ideal choice for urban environments, with light steering and compact dimensions that make it easy to maneuver in tight spaces or crowded parking lots. While still not a performance-oriented SUV, the Kicks offer adequate power for daily driving, and the throttle response feels smoother and more confident. The engine offers significantly more horsepower and torque compared to the outgoing model, but it still feels underwhelming on-ramp acceleration.

Despite having huge 19″ rims for a subcompact SUV, the suspension is tuned for comfort, soaking up bumps and potholes with ease, while road and wind noise are better managed than in the previous generation. The AWD system works well especially on wet or snowy roads, giving drivers added confidence. It’s a meaningful addition that brings the Kicks in line with serious competitors like the Volkswagen Taos, Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V and others.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks emerges as a more complete and confident subcompact SUV, finally stepping into the spotlight with the substance to match its style. With a more powerful engine, available all-wheel-drive, a tech-rich interior, and sharper design, it evolves from a budget-conscious pick for rental fleets to a well-rounded contender for small families. It still focuses on value and practicality, but now offers the refinement and features that buyers increasingly expect in this segment.

Engine	2.0-litre naturally aspirated inline-4
Transmission & Drivetrain	Continuously variable transmission & all-wheel-drive
Max power	141 hp @ 6000 rpm
Max torque	140 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
0-100 km/h	9.1 sec
Curb Weight (estimated)	3332 lbs – 1511 kg
Fuel Economy (observed)	27 MPG – 8.7 L/100 km
Price (as tested)	$42,408 CAD
Website:	www.nissan.ca