This week I had the 2025 Nissan Kicks SR Premium at my arsenal, and it reminded me how much fun I can have in a small car.
I am use to driving larger vehicle so this was a nice break, in my recent fleet of SUV loans. The 2025 Nissan Kicks looks like a compact SUV, but drives like a sedan. Within five minutes I knew why they named this “Kicks”. Not only from its zippy pep, but playful build as well.
Within, a fun orange stitch detail lined the dash and seats, and continued as a handsome woven pattern on the cloth seats themselves.
The manual controls had me nostalgic from the manual gear shifts to the pull forward bar and pump style seat adjustors. Although I did struggle with the heavy trunk that I needed two hands to pull down and shut with gusto.
However, at the same time there were modern conveniences like wireless charging, two C-port outlets at the front with another two at the back. There was a very trendy wrap around dash touchscreen and infotainment system, Bose quality speakers, ambient lighting that I did not expect from a Nissan; and fairly decent over head and reverse cameras to make parking an easier chore.
I was beguiled by the car’s fob lock button that did not come with a beep. An empty feeling without the noise to indicate open or closed. I had to click many times to ensure my mind that the car was indeed actually locked.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks was an incredibly easy drive. You don’t have to concentrate to much on the act with simple handling and controls. There is no overwhelming with options, and all the necessary functions were put out on the forefront for easy reach and use.
All except the climate control. I found it cumbersome to not have a dial or button on the dash to adjust your cabin temperature. Instead this was part of the climate feature on the touch screen Home Screen.
I have been complaining about shallow and smaller cupholders and centre console bins as of late, and was relieved that, that was not the case with the 2026 Kicks. It was all deep here. If you have a trendy Stanley cup, majority of it would be swallowed up by these cupholders. Not having items spill out of these car pockets was a nice convenience.
As for the way it handles, I saved so much money between being able to fit in the smaller free parking spots for school, and by using less fuel to haul less car. More so on an especially busy week in Eco mode. You even got an Eco drive report when you turned off the vehicle. All this was helpful, as a smaller vehicle that comes with a smaller tank, at a little over 450km+.
Truth be told, I found no difference between the drive style of all the modes. Sport was no faster, and Eco-mode no less powerful. I just found it a hassle to have to switch on each time you start the car, often forgetting.
Both modes felt lethargic, it did not matter how hard I hammered on the gas, it felt like a struggle to pick up speed. Thus making it the vehicle feel heavy for such a petite car.
I appreciated not having to go long distances with it due to how uncomfortable I found the seats. It lacked lumbar support and my back grew weary quick.
