The 2025 Nissan Kicks SR AWD represents a major evolution for Nissan’s entry-level crossover. What started as a budget-friendly city runabout has reworked right into a extra succesful and feature-rich automobile that goals to compete critically within the more and more crowded subcompact SUV section. The addition of all-wheel drive to the lineup marks a notable milestone, addressing one of many greatest criticisms of earlier generations whereas sustaining the Kicks’ repute for affordability and effectivity.
Below the hood, the Kicks SR continues with Nissan’s acquainted 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. Whereas these figures received’t set anybody’s pulse racing, they present ample for each day driving eventualities. The engine is paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT transmission, which has been refined through the years to really feel much less rubber-band-like than earlier iterations. The CVT does its job quietly and effectively, although fans will nonetheless discover the acceleration expertise considerably uninspiring throughout freeway merging or spirited driving.
The brand new clever all-wheel drive system is the headline function for 2025, mechanically distributing energy between entrance and rear wheels when traction is required. Throughout testing on moist roads and lightweight off-road situations, the system proved competent and unobtrusive. The AWD engages seamlessly when sensors detect wheel slip, offering confidence in antagonistic climate situations that the earlier front-wheel-drive-only mannequin merely couldn’t match. Nonetheless, this isn’t a system designed for critical off-roading – it’s optimized for snow, rain, and the occasional gravel street.
Inside house stays one of many Kicks’ strongest promoting factors. Regardless of its compact exterior dimensions, the cabin feels surprisingly roomy, notably for rear passengers. The rear seats provide beneficiant legroom for the category, and the upright seating place maximizes headroom. The cargo space gives 25.3 cubic toes of house with the rear seats up, increasing to 53.1 cubic toes when folded – respectable numbers that make the Kicks sensible for small households or city dwellers.
The SR trim brings a sportier aesthetic each in and out. Orange accent stitching, distinctive wheel designs, and SR badging try and inject some persona into what might in any other case be a somewhat nameless design. The inside options snug fabric seats with engaging distinction stitching, although some exhausting plastics all through the cabin remind you that is nonetheless a budget-oriented automobile. The infotainment system facilities round an 8-inch touchscreen that helps Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although the interface can really feel sluggish in comparison with extra premium alternate options.
On the street, the Kicks SR AWD delivers a composed and cozy experience high quality. The suspension does an admirable job of smoothing out street imperfections whereas sustaining affordable physique management by corners. Highway noise is well-controlled at freeway speeds, making the Kicks a pleasing freeway cruiser. The steering is gentle and responsive round city, although it lacks the precision that driving fans would possibly choose.
Gasoline economic system stays aggressive regardless of the addition of all-wheel drive. EPA scores of 27 mpg metropolis and 34 mpg freeway signify solely a modest lower from the front-wheel-drive mannequin, making the Kicks one of many extra environment friendly AWD crossovers obtainable. Throughout real-world testing, reaching these figures proved real looking with average driving habits.
Security options are complete, with Nissan Security Defend 2.0 coming commonplace. This contains computerized emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. The inclusion of those options as commonplace gear throughout the lineup represents glorious worth on this worth section.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks SR AWD carries a beginning MSRP of $27,680, positioning it competitively within the subcompact SUV section. Nonetheless, choices can shortly add up – the check automobile got here outfitted with extra options that introduced the ultimate worth to $31,885, demonstrating how shortly prices can escalate when including fascinating extras.
The Kicks SR AWD occupies an attention-grabbing place available in the market. It’s extra succesful and feature-rich than ever earlier than, but it maintains the sensible, no-nonsense character that has outlined the mannequin. Whereas it might not provide the refinement of premium opponents or the driving pleasure of sportier alternate options, it delivers strong worth for patrons prioritizinghouse, effectivity, and all-weather functionality, although patrons needs to be aware of how choices can impression the general worth proposition.
Professionals:
- Glorious inside house for the category
- Aggressive gas economic system regardless of AWD
- Complete commonplace security options
- Inexpensive pricing with good worth proposition
- Easy, snug experience high quality
- Efficient all-wheel drive system for antagonistic situations
Cons:
- Underwhelming engine efficiency and acceleration
- CVT transmission lacks driving engagement
- Inside supplies really feel low cost in locations
- Infotainment system could be sluggish to reply
- Restricted off-road functionality regardless of AWD
- Highway noise turns into noticeable at increased speeds