Finding a safe, reasonably-priced yet fun car for the new driver in your family can be a challenge. On the one hand, your budget (and/or theirs) may not net the latest and greatest from the factory. On the other hand, the used market may not be the best place to find that first car; age, mileage, maintenance (or lack thereof) and the lack of modern technology and safety features may be a non-starter.
Luckily, there are a few gems rolling off assembly lines right now that won’t break the bank and will keep new drivers safe and confident on the road. But those that are affordable are also often base and and boring; style usually comes at a price. That’s where the redesigned 2025 Nissan Kicks really stands out.
We had the chance to test this next-generation of this subcompact crossover in California and got to know more about the fun design influences that went into making the new Kicks more appealing.
This story is 100% human-written, based on my experiences, expertise and knowledge. I did my own measurements and tests for this first drive. No AI was used in creating this story. Additionally, I was Nissan’s guest for this test drive, though all opinions and impressions are my own.
If the Shoe Fits, Turn It Into a Crossover
For the design theme behind the redesigned 2025 Kicks, Nissan senior design director Ken Lee and his team looked at sneaker culture for inspiration. The result is a machine that evokes all of the coolest sneakers you’ve ever seen (and not because it resembles a shoe from a distance).
For example, the two-tone paint options for the SV and SR trims pull from the same colorways found in sneakers, while parts of the cladding have textures similar to those found on the soles of such footwear. Even some of the alloy wheels call to mind the custom colors and tread patterns like those of the Nike Air Jordan and Air Force One sneakers. The interior continues the theme, especially with the seats, which can be had in black leatherette with red/black textured cloth inserts and red and white stitching in the SR trim level.
Read: 2024 Chevrolet Trax: This Could Possibly Be Your Ideal First (or Last) Car
Sneakers Come in Pairs, but The Nissan Kicks Comes with a Spare
For the 2025 makeover, the Nissan Kicks is even sportier and sneaker-like in its design. The 2025 Nissan Kicks’ three trims levels are S ($21,830), SV ($23,680), and SR ($26,180). All trim levels come with a single powertrain combination: a 2-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. Output is 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, which goes through the front pair of 16- to 19-inch alloy wheels, which are standard (size is based on trim level).
Standard? That’s right! And, for 2025 buyers can also opt for all wheel drive. While the previous-generation Kicks was front-wheel-drive only, the new model has optional all-wheel-drive, in the form of Nissan’s Intelligent AWD. This new option adds Snow mode for dealing with slippery surfaces, helping to keep any new driver in their proper lane during inclement weather. The base prices for the AWD versions of the Kicks are $23,330 (S), $25,330 (SV), and $27,680 (SR).
Read: 2025 VW Taos Just Got a Makeover with Winky New Lights and Shiny Treads
Inspiring Confidence, Bringing Peace of Mind
Nissan’s focus for the all-new Kicks is the first-time driver. Thus, parents will enjoy the peace of mind the automaker’s Safety Shield 360 brings to the table. Standard across all trim levels and FWD/AWD powertrains, the safety suite includes features like auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning.
The S and SV trims also include adaptive cruise control for those long highway drives, while the SR trim level pairs it with Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist. This system adds steering assistance to the adaptive cruise control, keeping the driver centered in their lane while maintaining the right speed and distance in moving traffic. Throw in new-driver-friendly tire-pressure monitoring, driver fatigue alerts, and a 360-degree back-up camera, and the 2025 Kicks proves itself to be the right choice for a first-time driver.
Read: Subaru Crosstrek vs. Toyota Corolla Cross: Which Compact SUV is Right For You?
The Latest and Greatest for Digital-Native Gen Zs (and Everyone Else, Too)
Of course, safety tech isn’t the only game in town for the 2025 Nissan Kicks. The crossover has quite the set of infotainment tech for the price. There’s a pair of screens housing both the driver instrument panel and the infotainment system, placed next to each other in a continuous, driver-focused wall of zeroes and ones. Standard size for both panels is seven inches, while the SR trim has a pair of 12.3-inch screens
Though there are USB Type-C ports for connecting your phone to the infotainment system, the cables can be left at home for those up front thanks to both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus wireless charging. There’s also a trial subscription to SiriusXM for everyone to enjoy their faves on the optional Bose 10-speaker stereo system, featuring speakers in the front headrests for maximum enjoyment of their cherished music and more.
The Nissan Kicks is a Cozy Place for You and Your Friends
Sitting in style won’t matter much if no one is comfortable with the seats in the first place. Nissan has everyone covered with its Zero Gravity seating system, whose design better distributes weight and pressure for a more comfortable driving/riding experience on those long road trips. And there’s plenty of room for all five occupants, too, thanks to the increased interior dimensions over the old Kicks. Front and rear shoulder room jumps up 1.7 and 1.5 inches, respectively, while rear passengers also receive 0.9 inches more knee room.
To tie the coziness together, the Kicks comes with a panoramic sunroof to allow all to praise the sun, fall asleep under the blue skies, and marvel at the stars. Along with the sneaker-inspired interior design cues, the new crossover will have everyone wanting a ride or two to school or cruising up and down Main Street.
Hauling that Big TV Home? The Kicks Can Do It
The 2025 Nissan Kicks offers more than enough room for all of life’s errands. With the rear 60/40-split bench fully up, there’s 30 cubic feet of space for groceries, party supplies, and stacks of pizzas. Fold down the seat backs, though, and that space doubles to 60 cubic feet, which Nissan says is more than enough to haul a 65-inch flat-panel TV.
Sneakers for Mountain Roads and City Streets
Driving the 2025 Nissan Kicks in and around Santa Barbara was the right call to make. The climb up California State Route 154 to Los Olivos for olive-oil tasting and gift shopping may have been slowed by construction, but this little crossover handled itself quite well along the many twists and turns along the way. Back down on U.S. 101, acceleration past the big rigs was more than adequate.
If I had one of these, I’d definitely feel safe taking this to and from the airport via I-81 instead of U.S. 460. And of course, adaptive cruise control is a pleasure to have on the highway and beyond, especially when things get slow and congested. This little guy is at home anywhere it goes, for sure.
Stylin’ and Profilin’ for the In-Crowd
Of course, the right backdrop can bring the best out of the right vehicle. This is definitely true of the 2025 Nissan Kicks. When I parked it under palm trees and in front of classic architecture, the Nissan Kicks’ sneaker-influenced looks fit right in. If it can look that good in Santa Barbara, it’ll definitely be a hit cruising school parking lots and local boulevards.
