Used 2018 Nissan Kicks S for sale 

The 2018 Nissan Kicks is being offered in 3 trim levels, namely the S, SV, and the top-of-the-line SR with customization options on all the 3 trims. Engine and power are the same in all variants as is the CVT Transmission. Some great features like the rearview monitor, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and auto emergency braking with forwarding emergency braking come as standard from the base 'S' variant itself. The features listed in trims other than the base "S" are features available in that variant itself including the features in the lower-spec models. Here is a list of the key features that are available with the Nissan Kicks:

Trim we would choose

Since the price difference between the mid 'SV' and the 'SR' is less than $1,000, going for the top end "SR" variant is a smart choice as you will get fully loaded Kicks with some premium features like BOSE Audio and LED headlamps which are unheard in vehicles at this price.

There is not a lot to say when we have to talk about the engine of the 2018 Nissan Kicks. You do miss the turbocharged engine from the Nissan Juke - the car which the Kick is likely to replace, and the Kicks struggles to bring that fun to its character. It has the lowest engine output among its competitors. When it comes to power to weight ratio, the Kicks does decently well and the lack of power doesn't reflect in real-world driving. However, you may need to put in a little bit of effort while performing that overtaking maneuver.

The engine is a naturally aspirated gasoline motor with a 1.6L inline-4 layout. The transmission is Nissan’s classic Xtronic CVT, which does a great job of maximizing mileage, but it performs rather poorly at medium as there is quite a bit of the “rubber band” effect from the transmission. The drivetrain is only offered in an FWD with no optional AWD. The gearbox is brilliant in stop-and-go traffic, though it lacks punch at higher speeds.

All the other cars in the competition offer better performance and in many cases larger engines. The Hyundai Kona is the most powerful car amongst the competitors with a maximum power output of 147 hp, while the Honda HR-V follows it at 141 hp. Even the Kia Soul offers 5hp more than the Nissan Kicks. 

2018 Nissan Kicks Acceleration

When it comes to Acceleration, the Kicks have decent acceleration for the usual city traffic and commute. However, customers looking for a more engaging and enthusiastic drive will be disappointed as the Kicks isn't always eager to be revved hard. The 2018 Nissan Kicks accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 9.8 seconds, while the quarter-mile distance is covered in 17.4 seconds. 

The car takes its own time to get going, and this can be a rather unfortunate thing if you are planning an overtaking maneuver. Although if you are on slower roads, you will barely feel it. The Nissan Kicks proves to be the slowest among its competitors. 

As expected the Hyundai Kona again shines through in performance, with the best acceleration both for 0-60 MPH as well as the quarter-mile. The Kia Soul which has a similarly lower powered engine does a better job at accelerating with Hyundai’s 6-speed automatic transmission.

2018 Nissan Kicks Handling

Handling is of the strengths of the 2018 Nissan Kicks. It has great ride quality and glides over all undulations and potholes with ease and authority. The suspension ensures the ride quality isn't unnerving or jittery and is one of the most comfortable compact crossovers available in the market right now. Steering however is not one of the strengths of the Kicks. It is a typical Nissan in feel and that means, it doesn't offer much feel and feedback and is attuned for riding comfort. Once you speed up though, the Electronic Steering weighs up a bit but retains a rather soft character. One of the good things about the Kicks is its Turning radius, which is also among the best in the segment. It makes taking U-Turns a breeze without much fuss.

The engine response feels a bit lacking, and the Kicks is only suited for daily runs around to the grocery store or the workplace. It tries to be an ideal family car, but cruising along highways is going to be a drag. If and when you take it on the highway, the outstanding efficiency that the car gets will save you a lot of bucks. The overall dynamics of the car seem great and it can take turns and corners quite efficiently even at higher speeds with a minimal amount of body roll.

2018 Nissan Kicks Braking

Due to the lightweight of the SUV, the braking is one of the best in the class along with a lot of technology backing up the Nissan. The auto emergency braking system makes the car apply brakes automatically if it senses an obstruction in front of it if the driver is not quick enough to respond to it. 

It also comes with 4 wheel ABS and vehicle dynamic control with a traction control system as standard on all the trims. The brakes themselves are classic Nissan which means a lot of travel till you hit the sweet spot. Though this is good for slowing down or easing the car into a stop, it isn't that great for spirited braking.

The Kicks is most definitely the lightest crossover in the lineup and thus has the smallest brakes. It also takes a decent 126 feet to get to a stop from 60 MPH. The Honda HR-V has a great braking response and would most likely take the same distance to stop. While the Kia Soul would perform a bit on the lower side considering its heavy curb weight. The Hyundai Kona also takes around 129 feet to come to a standstill, which is slower than the kicks.

With the rising fuel prices globally, fuel efficiency and MPG figures are in the mind of a lot of crossover SUV buyers. The lightweight nature of the Nissan Kicks yields another advantage with respect to fuel efficiency, and this is all without an expensive hybrid powertrain. The tuned-down motor shines through it boasting some exciting mileage figures, to which most of its competitors don't even come close. The Kicks provides the best combined mileage of 33 MPG.

Contributing to this efficiency is the 126HP engine which is the lowest in the class but yields good results in this aspect. The Kicks has a rather small fuel tank amounting to just around 10.8 gallons, which gives it a quite lowly range of around 350 miles, which is the lowest in the class. The Hyundai Kona does much better with its turbocharged engine and 13.2-gallon tank, which has a range of almost 400 miles.

Interior seating and comfort is an area Nissan loves to brag about with the new 2018 Kicks. The seats have taken inspiration from NASA's "0 Gravity" design which makes short commutes and daily errands a very comfortable proposition. There are adjustable armrests for both driver and passenger and the second-row seats have a 60/40 split mechanism. The rear seats can comfortably seat 2 adults however seating 3 abreast would not be the most comfortable thing to do during long rides.

The interior design of the Nissan Kicks is well made and feels highly modern. There are a lot of cheap plastics all over the car, though Nissan does a great job at coating touchable surfaces with softer materials. The interiors do not feel downright cheap, though there are several cost-cutting portions in it. Overall they seem highly well made for their price point.

The rear seats are particularly well made with almost no lack in headroom and legroom. Even larger passengers can sit comfortably at the rear, albeit with lower knee room. Almost all of its competitors like the Hyundai Kona offer better space in the rear, where the Honda HR-V shines through. The automatic temperature control is standard on the 'SV' and 'SR' trims along with rear passenger heating vents. Here is a list of the interior features that are available with the 2018 Nissan Kicks:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Adjustable driving modes
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 8-way power-adjustable driver seat
• Leather upholstery

2018 Nissan Kicks Infotainment System

Right from the base model, Nissan includes a large 7.0-inch touchscreen display in the Kicks, which includes a rear-view camera and 360-degree view. The infotainment has a connected system and even offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Along with the basic Bluetooth and AM/FM Radio, the infotainment is a great package. The top-end trim even outfits the Kicks with a premium Bose audio system. Here is a list of the infotainment features that are available with the 2018 Nissan Kicks:

• 360 Degree Camera
• 7" Capacitive Touchscreen System
• 6 Speaker Audio System with Bose Audio optional on the Top end "SR"
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Radio Data System
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard "SV" and "SR"

2018 Nissan Kicks Cargo Volume

Despite being a subcompact crossover SUV, Nissan has clearly "Trumped" its competition despite its compact size and proportions. The trunk is huge and it hasn't compromised on rear passenger seating in any way. Also, the boot houses a spare tire which comes in handy when the tires suffer a puncture.

The Nissan offers the best-in-class storage space in the interior as well as a cargo capacity of 25.3 cu.ft. It is closely followed by the Kia Soul and the Honda HR-V with a similar cargo capacity of around 24 cu.ft. The Hyundai Kona lacks in terms of luggage space with just 19.2 cu.ft.

When Nissan announced that the Kicks might replace the Juke, people were not exactly sure about the looks of the SUV. The Nissan Kicks looks surprisingly well proportioned and styled. It has the high stance of an SUV and at the same time a quirky appeal from a hatchback. The exterior of the car looks highly modern.

This is because the Kicks has no design inspirations from the Juke in any form. The Kicks is a stylish and handsome-looking SUV with boomerang-inspired headlamps and taillamps, Chunky 17"Alloy wheels, blacked-out C pillars, and a host of other customization options.

The dimensions of the Nissan Kicks are similar to what the competition has to offer. However, with a low curb weight and high ground clearance, the Nissan Kicks offers a typical SUV feel both from the inside and the outside and has an upper hand over the competition. The long-wheelbase lends the Kicks good cargo space and interior space. The Kicks has a somewhat longer length than most of its competitors and also offers the best ground clearance. The 2018 Nissan Kicks Exterior Features include:

• LED Headlamps
• LED Fog Lamps
• Contrasting Roof Color Scheme
• Customizable 17" Alloy wheels
• Body-Colored ORVM
• Roof Rails on all variants
• External Rear Windshield Wipers

Safety is another department that has been the primary focus of Nissan Kicks. The build quality is solid and reliable. The car has not yet been rated by the NHTSA though it has been awarded as the “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS. The Kicks also offers some of the best technology in the segment, with automatic collision mitigation braking being another feature that most of its competitors lack. There are even surround-view and rearview cameras as standard. Some of the important safety features in the new Nissan Kicks are listed below:

• Dual Stage supplemental Airbags
• Driver and Front Passenger seat-mounted side-impact Airbag
• Roof-Mounted Curtain side-impact airbags for Front and Rear passengers
• Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control
• Auto Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning
• Blind Spot Warning
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Tire Pressure Monitor

2018 Nissan Kicks vs. Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V has been in the subcompact SUV space for a while and has been quite a favorite. The Honda and the Nissan have nearly the same space in the Interiors however, the Nissan has a better ground clearance. The Honda has a minimalist layout inside while the Nissan has a little more cluttered. Both however have been built well but the Honda edges out the Nissan in a few areas. 

Handling is pretty similar on both cars and the HR-V beats the Kicks when it comes to performance hands down. But, Nissan has traded off its performance for fuel-efficiency. The Kicks beats the Honda hands down in terms of MPG figures. So if a frugal SUV with good practicality is your preference, the Nissan has the edge.

2018 Nissan Kicks vs. Kia Soul

The Kia Soul has been the best seller subcompact crossover in the segment for a while now because of its looks, customization options, safety, and interior space. The Nissan has tried to copy a few tricks from the book of the Soul like customization options and safety.

The Kia has an upper hand in terms of the overall looks both in the interior and the exterior. However, if practicality and value for money are your top priorities, and if you can live with an SUV with "Decent" looks, the Nissan is the one that has the clear edge.

2018 Nissan Kicks vs. Hyundai Kona

Even though the Hyundai Kona doesn't sell in the numbers of its sister car the "Kia Soul", the Hyundai has a good reputation among the driving enthusiasts. This is because the Kona is the only car in this segment to offer great performance and handling dynamics due to its turbocharged engine. The Hyundai is the only car in this comparison to come with an optional AWD system and multiple engine options. 

The driving dynamics and the handling of the Kona have been the best in this segment and people have revered the car for the same fact. It changed the way people thought about compact crossovers. Nissan is a bit subdued as compared to the Hyundai in terms of engine and performance but it more than makes up for it with its unprecedented practicality and fuel economy.

The Kicks spices up the already competitive subcompact Crossover SUV segment page. It also has some of the best safety features in the segment. As per Nissan officials themselves, the Kicks has been designed for "Millennials". This is evident from the way the Kicks looks and in its pricing. All in all, if you are tight on budget and want a frugal compact crossover SUV that is primarily intended for city use and for ferrying around lots of stuff and people, the Nissan Kicks is the SUV that fits the bill.