Used 2021 Nissan Kicks S for sale 

For the US market, however, Nissan is expected to carry forward the same three trims from the 2020 model year but with some changes and enhancements both inside and out. The 2021 Nissan Kicks will be available in a total of 3 trims viz. S, SV, and SR. 

The prices of the 2021 Nissan Kicks will start from $19,500, which is a tad more than the $19,070 starting price of the 2020 Kicks. All the variants of the 2021 Nissan Kicks are identical to each other in terms of mechanical fitments and only differ on the basis of the available features. 

All the trims of the 2021 Nissan Kicks are powered by a 122 hp 1.6L inline-4 engine, paired to an Xtronic CVT transmission. There is no AWD on offer with the 2021 Kicks. Apart from the above-stated trims, the 2021 Kicks SR should also come with an optional SR Premium Package for $1,000 extra that should equip the Kicks with a Vehicle Security System, Heated Front Seats, and a premium 8-speaker Bose audio system.

The base S trim should be adequately equipped enough for most people with most of the necessary amenities and features and with most of the advanced safety features as standard as well. But since the difference in prices among the trims is not that much, it is recommended to go full-on and get the range-topping SR trim instead. 

"Around town it feels plenty perky so long as you're willing to rev the engine." - Car and Driver

The 2021 Nissan Kicks will be powered by the same 1.6L Inline-4 engine across the trim lineup producing 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. As mentioned earlier, a new hybrid powertrain has also been launched for the 2021 Nissan Kicks in Thailand, but the US is not likely to be getting the hybrid variant anytime soon. 

The 1.6L 4-pot engine of the 2021 Nissan Kicks is adequate for highway run but the acceleration is simply timid. The transmission duties are handled by a CVT transmission setup, also referred to as Xtronic transmission by the automaker. The transmission is quiet, unlike other CVT’s and drives the front wheel. No all-wheel-drive is on offer with the 2021 Nissan Kicks. 

Although not one of the most powerful of the bunch, the Nissan Kicks is in a similar ballpark with its competitors when it comes to power output. The Toyota C-HR gets the biggest displacement engine in this comparison, hence belting out the maximum power. 

The 1.6L Inline-4 mated to an Xtronic CVT transmission sends all the power to the front wheels. With this system, the Kicks should be able to reach 60 mph from a standstill in a steady 9.7 seconds, which although is not very quick at all but is decent enough for its segment.

Keep the pedal pinned and the 2021 Nissan Kicks will clock the quarter of a mile lap in 17.5 seconds. Flat out, the 2021 Nissan Kicks posts a top speed of 110 mph, which is comparatively the lowest figure in this segment. The Hyundai Venue rules the charts with a top speed of 130 mph. 

With regards to the brakes in the car, the 2021 Nissan Kicks should be equipped with vented discs at the front with drum brakes at the rear along with 4-wheel ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Although not a very quick car, the Kicks is quite close to its competition in terms of 0 to 60 times.

Also Read:

• Click here to read the 2021 Hyundai Venue Performance Review.
• How does the 2021 Nissan Kicks fare against the 2021 Buick Encore?

The 1.6L Inline-4 powering the Nissan Kicks is one of the most economical engines on sale today, and since the 2021 model is also getting the same power plant, the 2021 Nissan Kicks will offer similar levels of fuel efficiency as the 2020 model. 

The 2021 Nissan Kicks will be able to roll for 31 miles in the city or 36 miles on the highway for every gallon of gasoline. Summing up these figures, the 2021 Nissan Kicks is good for a combined 33 mpg. Furthermore, the Kicks gets a 10.8-gallon fuel tank capacity which lends it a highway range of close to 400 miles. 

The Nissan Kicks significantly perform better than most of its competitors when it comes to fuel economy. The Hyundai Venue's mpg figures are impressive as well, while the Ford Ecosport's fuel economy and Toyota C-HR's fuel economy lag behind by a small margin. Yet these two SUVs get the biggest fuel tank capacity in the segment, thus offering better range than the Nissan or Hyundai. 

"Most of the Kicks' controls and inputs are user-friendly. Buttons are easy to find, and the touchscreen interface is entirely straightforward." - Edmunds

The 2021 Nissan Kicks's interior gets several revamps ranging from a new 8” NissanConnect infotainment touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with a centrally mounted 7” digital instrument cluster. The center console has also been redesigned and now looks a lot more advanced and mature at the same time.

The interior material used is not exciting by any means and falls flat. The hard plastics and cheap carpeting reconfirm that the Kicks is built to a budget. However, the hatch-looking Kicks is more than what the facts confirm. Splashes of color here and there break the monotony and keep things from becoming dull in an otherwise all-black interior. 

Speaking of the space factor, the 2021 Nissan Kicks can accommodate up to 5 passengers with the utmost ease. Both the front and rear seats provide ample space to all occupants, at all times, in all directions. Getting in or out is easy thanks to large door openings. A high seat bottom for both front and rear passengers further equates to easy entry and exit.

The outward visibility remains excellent, thanks to a large windshield upfront. The rear visibility is a bit more challenging due to the thick C-pillar.  Behind the rear-seats, Nissan Kicks offers a cargo capacity of 25.3 cubic feet which is the best in its class. The opening is squared out and the loading lip is set low which makes the loading and unloading of cargo fairly easy. The 60/40-folding seats expand the space to 53.1 cubic feet. 

The 2021 Nissan Kicks gets an updated infotainment system. The base trims get a 7-inch touchscreen display along with a 6-speaker audio system, while the Kicks SV and top trim SR get an 8.0-inch touchscreen display along with an extra USB-C port, and access to Nissan's NissanConnect telematics and concierge system.

All the trims of the 2021 Nissan Kicks get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, while a wi-fi hotspot is available on the top-spec SR trim. Nissan Connect may not be among the most appealing infotainment system on the market today, but it is intuitive and user-friendly. Regardless of the size, both the displays are big and crisp and fall in the eye-line of the driver. 

Some of the most eminent infotainment features of the 2021 Nissan Kicks are:

• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• Apple Carplay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Bose Personal Plus Audio system with 8 speakers
• Three USB ports and an Auxiliary input jack
• Steering wheel-mounted audio controls
• 7" Advanced Drive-Assist Display

Also Read:

• How spacious is the Toyota C-HR?
• Read the 2021 Ford Ecosport Interior Review.

"The successor to the quirky Nissan Juke is cute in a conforming kind of way. Refreshed for 2021, the Nissan Kicks gets bolder bookends front and rear" - TheCarConnection

For the 2021 model, the new Nissan Kicks is getting a completely new front fascia, along with a slightly updated rear as well. It flaunts a bigger V-Motion grille similar to other newer offerings from Nissan along with sleeker LED headlamps and taillamps which gives it a much sharper appeal as compared to the blunt face from 2020. Furthermore, a new 17-inch aluminum wheel design also makes its way on to the 2021 Kicks. 

The front bumper is redesigned as well along with a more exaggerated floating roof, giving the car a more aggressive and modern look. Over at the rear, the design is almost the same, but the rear bumper now painted in the body color and the overall design is wider and longer than before.

If that's not enough, Nissan now offers you the option of availing a contrasting black roof with colors including the Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, Boulder Gray Pearl, and Electric Blue Metallic. Overall, the new Kicks packs in more drama and adventure. The tall stance also gives you the feel of a big vehicle. 

Ironically, the compact Nissan Kicks manages to on the higher end of the spectrum in terms of size. The podium is taken by Toyota C-HR which marginally undercuts the Kicks. Ground clearance is also ample in the Nissan Kicks which can also give you the confidence to go on a little adventure as well. Various exterior features of the 2021 Nissan Kicks are:

• LED Headlights with signature LED DRLs
• Redesigned 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels
• Intelligent Auto Headlights
• Redesigned black chrome grille
• Heated ORVMs
• Integrated roof rails

Although the 2021 Nissan Kicks has not been crash-tested yet but the safety ratings of the 2020 model assure us that the new 2021 Kicks has our backs covered. The 2020 Nissan Kicks managed to score 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA’s crash tests, which is commendable for a modern crossover SUV. That being said, the 2021 model should also be just as safe, if not better.

The 2021 Kicks also comes loaded with a healthy bunch of safety features along with optional active safety and driver assistance features. Some of the standout active and passive safety features expected for the 2021 Nissan Kicks include:

• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitor
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection
• Front and rear automatic emergency braking
• 6 Airbags
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• LATCH System
• Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System
• Crossmember door-mounted beams
• Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control System
• Intelligent Around View Monitor

2021 Nissan Kicks vs Toyota CH-R

The Toyota CH-R is probably the closest competing rival for the Nissan Kicks. Although having a subjectively better looking exterior and interior along with a more powerful engine, it falls behind the Kicks in terms of performance and mileage as well.

The Toyota C-HR features a long list of standard features and above-average reliability ratings but the Nissan Kicks cost way less than the Toyota C-HR for everything better.

2021 Nissan Kicks vs Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue is quite comparable to the Nissan Kicks in terms of power output and performance figures along with fuel economy as well. Although a well-designed interior, it looks quite bland compared to the interior of the Nissan Kicks, the Hyundai does have the advantage of being more affordable than the Nissan.

But Nissan Kicks surpasses the Venue with better cargo capacity, roomier interiors, and unmatchable fuel economy. However, Kicks lack some desirable features which allow Hyundai to score better.

2021 Nissan Kicks vs Ford Ecosport

A worthy competitor from Ford in the subcompact crossover SUV segment, the Ecosport is a unique car on its own. Although the smaller 1.0L turbocharged Inline-3 engine is designed to be more fuel economical, it still falls behind most of its competitors in terms of fuel economy with their more refined engines.

Nonetheless, power output and performance figures are decent and are comparable to other cars in its segment. For some, if bigger is better, Nissan Kicks wins here with a slightly longer dimension. Also, Kicks turn out to be a better financial choice. 

The Nissan Kicks has always been a strong contender in the subcompact crossover SUV segment, and the new facelift and updates for the 2021 model will make it even better. With the new aggressive and sharp look combined with the funky looking interior, it is targeted more towards the younger demographic of its customer base. 

Although there are other very capable crossover SUVs out there in the market, the Nissan Kicks has a value proposition of its own and has the capability to give its competition a run for their money.