The rest
Otherwise, the Kicks does a lot of things right. The level of comfort it offers is excellent, thanks in large part to Nissan's Zero Gravity seats, which are pretty close to divine.
The driving position is good and the interior presentation, although simple, translates into good ergonomics. The information provided is plentiful and easy to find/decipher. Nothing complicated aboard the Kicks.
Behind the wheel, notwithstanding the power shortfall of the engine and the sometimes messy work of the CVT, you can have fun in the Kicks. The fact that it benefits from a solid and rigid chassis is a big part of it. You can really shuffle the model around with confidence, and if you like sporty driving, you'll at least have something to sink your teeth into.
Specifications sheet of 2022 Nissan Kicks S
Specifications sheet of 2022 Nissan Kicks SV
Specifications sheet of 2022 Nissan Kicks SR
Conclusion
So, is the Kicks a good buy? Yes, but it really depends on your needs and the compromises you're willing to make.
If the equipment level is secondary to you, but all-wheel drive and a powerful engine are priorities, shop elsewhere. Conversely, if you can do without all-wheel drive and a powerful engine, you'll find a version that meets your needs while staying within your budget.
However, the buying exercise also requires a look at the competition, especially the upcoming HR-V, which is expected soon from Honda. And that lays bare the reality that the Kicks is quietly aging (the current version debuted in 2017 for the 2018 model-year.
We like
Comfortable seats
Fun to drive
Several versions at reasonable prices
We like less
No all-wheel drive
A weak engine
Poor soundproofing
The competition
Chevrolet Trax
Honda HR-V
Hyundai Venue
Kia Soul
Mazda CX-3
Mitsubishi RVR
Toyota CH-R
