Whoa! That’s the 2025 Nissan Kicks?

Nissan’s compact crossover got a refresh in 2021, but now this kicky SUV is ready for its next generation. The 2025 Nissan Kicks gets a more upright stance and some new features. Though pricing isn’t available, here’s what we do know.

2025 Nissan Kicks gets AWD

Previously, one of the big dings against this compact cruiser was the fact it didn’t offer all-wheel drive. That changes for 2025, and the next-gen Kicks now gets Nissan’s Intelligent AWD. There’s no word on what that will do to the price, but if you look at the Rogue, it’s a $1,500 add for AWD. So, I think we can safely assume the AWD-version of the Kicks would start at around $25k.

New 2.0L engine

Previously, the Kicks was equipped with a 122-horsepower, 1.6-liter engine. Now, the 2025 Nissan Kicks will get a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with more power and torque. We assume this is the same engine we see in the 2024 Sentra, and in the Kicks it will deliver 141 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque.

More stuff

We always thought the previous Kicks was well equipped, but now it gets even more stuff – including available dual 12.3 screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment, more interior space and an available panoramic sunroof. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto don’t appear to be standard, wireless CarPlay and Auto are standard starting at the SV trim. You’ll also see up to four USB-C ports, available wireless charging, standard LED headlights and available Bose audio.

All the standard safety

One of the most impressive things about Nissan as a brand is all the high-level safety features it includes as standard fare. Equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, the 2025 Nissan Kicks will include automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic high beams. That’s an impressive list for a vehicle that will likely start less than $25k.

Available safety features included on the SR trim: lane departure prevention, emergency lane keep assist, blind spot intervention, front parking assist, traffic sign recognition, intersection assist and ProPilot Assist.

The bottom line

We’ve always loved the Nissan Kicks, and the 2025 model raises the bar. We expect this to be an exceptional vehicle for the price and can’t wait to see it IRL. It will go on sale in the late summer of 2024.

As it so happens, if you’ll be at the NY Auto Show in the next couple weeks, it will be on display there.

2025 Nissan Kicks photo gallery