2026 Nissan Kicks Review

The Kicks is one of the cheapest vehicles you can buy, and that's a strength, not a weakness.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Feb 17, 2026 | 8 min read

Benjamin Hunting

There aren't many vehicles available with a base price of less than $25,000 these days, but for the 2026 model year, Nissan builds two of them: the Kicks subcompact crossover SUV and the Sentra compact sedan. The 2026 Kicks joins a crop of cheerful haulers whose eye-catching styling, respectable features, and comfortable rides are far removed from the penalty boxes associated with some affordable commuters of the past.

What You Need to Know About the 2026 Nissan Kicks

Nissan's willingness to invest in affordable vehicles is good news for potential Kicks customers. This fashion-forward hatchback looks considerably more expensive than its purchase price, while delivering the kind of functional interior space that crossovers are known for. It also offers all-wheel drive (AWD), along with a wide range of equipment that appeals to both bargain hunters and those with bigger budgets. Make sure to check its crash-test ratings, though.

Is the 2026 Nissan Kicks a Good SUV?

The Nissan Kicks ticks all of the SUV boxes when it comes to practicality, and its appeal is underscored by its affordable pricing — up to a point. There are diminishing returns to paying more for upscale editions of the Kicks, especially considering its modest drivetrain. If configured as a mid-trim model to avoid overspending, the Kicks shines as a truly appealing and versatile commuter. But if safety ratings are important, there are higher-scoring choices if you can spend a little more money, such as the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, and Mazda CX-30.Benjamin Hunting

About the 2026 Nissan Kicks Review Vehicle

The 2026 Nissan Kicks offers a trio of trim levels — S, SV, and SR — and each, even the base model, can be had in front-wheel-drive (FWD) or AWD configurations. Base pricing for the Kicks starts around $24,000 for the S, near $26,000 for the SV, and about $29,000 for the SR. That includes the destination fee Nissan charges to transport the SUV from its Aguascalientes, Mexico, production facility to a dealership.

I test-drove the Kicks SV with optional AWD in both urban Montreal, Quebec, and through the pastoral countryside 75 miles to the east of the city. Including the added cost of the Gun Metallic/Scarlet Ember Tintcoat two-tone paint job, Cold Weather package, and the $1,495 destination charge, the crossover's total price came to $28,415. Nissan provided the vehicle for this Kicks review.

Benjamin Hunting

A Little Detail Goes a Long Way in Defining the Kicks' Character

The Kicks cuts a slick figure. The red roof and mirrors on my otherwise gray model provided a fun splash of color, and the way the slotted grille bleeds into the running lights adds heft to what is an otherwise delicate design. Above all, it avoids looking cheap, which is key in a segment where subcompact SUVs increasingly punch above their weight in terms of appearance.

I feel similarly warm and fuzzy about the Kicks' cabin. Nissan details the dashboard with fabric rather than plastic, and cuts a pleasing pattern into the upholstery of its seats — small choices that elevate a shopper's perception of the SUV's place on the prestige spectrum.

Benjamin Hunting

AWD Reduces the 2026 Kicks' Cargo Room

The Kicks prioritizes legroom for its front-seat occupants, which means those relegated to the rear seat endure less generous accommodations. This subcompact SUV is not exactly a family hauler, but rather one suited for folks seeking extra cargo space they can't get in a sedan.

In that department, I had no complaints, as the Nissan handled an airport run transporting a large-wheeled travel bag and a smaller carry-on behind the back seat with no need to fold the second row forward for extra volume. This is true even with AWD eating into the vehicle's available cargo space. The FWD models offer 29.2 cubic-feet, while the AWD system cuts that to 23.9 cu-ft. 

Although I found its seats comfortable, the Kicks was not kind to my elbows on long-haul drives, given the SUV's virtually unpadded armrests on each door. At least those same entry and egress points are outfitted with usable beverage holders, which complement the Kicks' simple center console.

Benjamin Hunting

Functional and Straightforward Displays

When it comes to tech, Nissan limits the Kicks SV to a 7.0-inch digital driver display, while the more expensive SR trim gets a 12.3-inch screen. The smaller display is simple to operate, but stylistically, I think it clashes with the more advanced infotainment screen in the center of the dashboard.

That 12.3-inch touchscreen balances bright graphics with a simple, easy-to-navigate menu system. The Kicks SV's built-in software feels somewhat basic — as climate controls are mercifully given separate hard buttons and dials below the screen — but wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity pick up the slack with more specific apps. Voice commands are similarly bare-bones but functional.

Benjamin Hunting

The Kicks' Top-Tier Trim Gets ProPilot Assist Safety Tech

The Kicks SV does not offer Nissan's ProPilot Assist, a driver-assistance system that equips the SUV with lane-centering adaptive cruise control. That feature requires the top SR trim, which also includes a surround-view camera.

The SV still comes with lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlights. These are all worth having, but I have two quibbles about how Nissan implements them.

The SV's adaptive cruise control doesn't offer stop-and-go capability, so if you're in heavy traffic, you'll have to tap the accelerator to get back underway once the vehicle ahead inches forward. Bumper-to-bumper conditions are among the best use cases for adaptive cruise, and it's annoying that this feature is only available on the SR model.

I also had a strange issue with the automatic high-beams, which were reluctant to activate. That was particularly odd considering that I live in the middle of nowhere, with no street lights and many miles of dark, forested road. I ended up manually turning on the high beams more often than not.

For a relatively new design, the Kicks serves up unimpressive safety ratings. In tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Kicks earns just three out of five stars for frontal-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates this Nissan higher in crash tests, but rated the ADAS as "Marginal" in its ability to prevent a collision.

Benjamin Hunting

The Nissan Kicks' Modest, Thrifty Engine

All versions of the Nissan Kicks come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that's rated at 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) powers the front wheels unless you upgrade to AWD.

According to the EPA, the Kicks FWD should return 31 mpg in combined city and highway driving and 30 mpg combined with AWD. With my Kicks SV AWD test vehicle, I saw 34.5 mpg in below-freezing conditions, which is impressive performance during the winter season.

Benjamin Hunting

The 2026 Kicks' AWD Proves Its Worth in the Snow

With its relatively modest engine output and no turbocharger to bulk up its low-end power, the Kicks can feel dispirited from behind the wheel. As someone whose daily drive includes getting stuck behind tourists gawking at the scenery, there were several instances when I pulled out to pass but quickly ran out of road to execute my overtake safely because the Nissan's acceleration was insufficient.

If you're in a similarly rural situation with limited passing opportunities, you might want to look elsewhere. That said, I have no qualms about recommending the Kicks as a commuter in nearly every other instance. When not gasping to pass, power is adequate for highway cruising and city driving. 

The previous-generation Kicks was a blast to pilot from one corner to the next due to its low curb weight of about 2,700 pounds. The current Kicks is roughly 300 to 500 pounds heavier and doesn't offer the same personality or athleticism, but its larger size helps it better absorb bumps on rough roads.

Its AWD system adds to that weight, but it also proved its worth on cold roads and light snow. Off the line, even in the dry, the starts were drama-free. I never got caught out in a low-traction situation that the little Nissan SUV couldn't handle, but I did experience a louder-than-normal thrum from the frozen all-season rubber outfitted to the vehicle. 

Benjamin Hunting

Alternatives to the 2026 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks' combination of attractive looks, available AWD, and low pricing makes up for some of the advanced safety gear and driver-display pizzazz missing from its low- and mid-tier trims. Aside from concerns about its safety ratings, I think the Kicks is a strong do-everything choice in a daily driver. And the reality is that some of the Kicks' subcompact-SUV rivals — such as the Chevrolet Trax at around $23,000, the Hyundai Venue at roughly $22,000, and the Kia Seltos at around $25,000 — aren't necessarily safer to drive than the Nissan.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.