2026 Nissan Kicks Review

The 2026 Nissan Kicks is the automaker’s entry-level crossover and last year was redesigned with the addition of all-wheel drive (AWD).

Nissan continued to build the previous-generation model as a lower-priced alternative alongside it, dubbed the 2025 Kicks Play, but it’s gone this year, making this one the cheapest of the bunch. It comes in five trim levels, starting with the S at $29,248, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $2,050; and the SV at $30,998, both with front-wheel drive (FWD). Both can be optioned with AWD, while the SV trim tested here has it standard at $33,298. Three more trim levels are AWD-only and top out at $37,448.

Styling: 8/10

The updated Kicks is a smart-looking model, with resemblance to the larger Murano. Wheel size ranges from 16- to 19 inches, depending on the trim. You’ll probably want to budget for paint, as black is the only hue included in the price. Solid colours add $250, and two-tone options are $795.

The cabin features several padded fabric and stitched surfaces. The centre touchscreen and digital instrument display initially look like a single wide-angle screen, but they’re separated by a black plastic panel, and it looks a bit cheap.

Safety: 8/10

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2026 Kicks a rating of four out of five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn’t completed all tests as of this writing, but it got the highest “Good” in the small front overlap and side crash tests. The updated moderate front crash, which now assesses potential injury to a rear-seat passenger as well as to those in front, was yet to come. Its front collision prevention system got a rating of “Good” for recognizing pedestrians, but “Marginal” for vehicles. Ease-of-use for its child-seat tether anchors is “Good-Plus.”

Standard driver-assist features include emergency front and rear braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam control, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control (which can be a bit jerky), rear parking sensors, and the mandatory back-up camera. The top SR trims add blind-spot and lane departure intervention, front parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and highway driving assist.

Features: 8/10

Features on the entry S include heated mirrors, cloth seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, manual climate control, and push-button start. Moving up to the SV tested here adds heated front seats and steering wheel, a wireless charger, automatic climate control, proximity key, and remote starter.

An available SV Premium package would have further added 19-inch wheels, roof rails, and a panoramic sunroof. The top SR adds faux-leather upholstery, rear USB ports, an auto-dimming mirror, cargo cover, and ambient lighting; and its Premium package includes the panoramic sunroof and premium audio, among other items. Power-adjustable seats are not available.

User Friendliness: 7/10

On the plus side, the Kicks employs simple buttons and dials for most functions, and a conventional gear selector. When loading cargo, the liftover height is fairly low. Visibility is very good as well.

On the minus side, the heavy tailgate doesn’t have a place to grip at the bottom for leverage, so opening it can be difficult for short users. The tall inside sill is a long step up, especially for those with limited mobility. Finally, most of the key fob’s buttons are black-on-black icons, and some white paint would make it much easier to quickly select the right one.

Practicality: 7/10

When equipped with FWD, the Kicks has 849 L of cargo space with the rear seats up, and 1,699 L when they’re folded; and it also has a height-adjustable cargo floor. The AWD system cuts into that space, with 676 and L litres, respectively, and the floor is fixed. While it still got my groceries home, the Kicks trails most of its close rivals. Small-item storage up front is good but not outstanding, either.

Comfort: 8/10

The Kicks is about mid-pack for headroom among close rivals. It leads them for front-seat legroom but trails in the rear seats, although the space is still reasonable considering the vehicle’s overall size. All seats are more suited to commuter trips than long-haul drives, but that’s not unusual in the segment. The ride is smooth and settled, and the cabin is quieter than expected.

Power: 8/10

The Kicks uses a 2.0L four-cylinder engine making 141 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque, mated to an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT). It’s surprisingly peppy from a stop, and while it has to put in an effort to achieve highway passing power, that’s also the case with its competitors. Among those, the Chevrolet Trax has 137 hp, and the Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos have 147 hp; the outlier is the Mazda CX-30 has 186 hp (in the base engines of those vehicles that offer two versions). By comparison, the last-generation Kicks made just 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque.

Driving Feel: 8/10

This new Kicks is impressive, matching its off-the-line pep with responsive handling and nicely-weighted steering. The AWD primarily powers the front wheels and brings in the rear tires as needed for traction. After a bit of noise up steep hills or reaching higher speeds, the engine and transmission settle in and maintain a quiet, comfortable level for cruising.

Fuel Economy: 9/10

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) rates the Kicks with AWD at 8.5 L/100 km in the city, 6.9 on the highway, and 7.8 combined; and that’s just marginally more than the FWD version at 7.4 combined. In my week with it, I racked up 8.8. It takes regular-grade gas.

Its official combined number undercuts its competitors in their entry engine and AWD where available: the Chevrolet Trax rates at 8.1; the Hyundai Kona is 8.6; the Kia Seltos is 8.2; and the Mazda CX-30 is 8.7.

Value: 8/10

Ranging from $29,428 to $37,448, the Kicks lineup isn’t entry-level on the wallet anymore, but little in the segment is, either. Equipped with its non-turbo engine, the Kia Seltos ranges from $28,195 to $30,195, and the Hyundai Kona, its mechanical twin, at $28,799 to $35,749. The Chevrolet Trax runs from $29,349 to $32,549, but it only comes in FWD; and to get AWD, you must move up to the similarly-sized Trailblazer starting at $33,149. The Mazda CX-30, in AWD only, runs $30,755 to $39,655 (all prices including destination).

The Verdict

The 2026 Nissan Kicks overall generally feels worth the price, and perceived value means something, too. Cross-shop all aspects of it, including its cargo space, rear-seat legroom, and features. Automakers have upped their game in this compact segment, including the Kicks, and it’s definitely worth a test-drive.