2023 Nissan Kicks Owner’s Manual

For an entry-level option, the Nissan Kicks offers some of the best value for money, as it costs barely north of $20k, making it one of the cheapest new cars available in the United States market. Yet, it does an excellent job of making itself an inviting package in other departments.

The Kicks value proposition is immediately apparent: it is a tiny SUV, the smallest in Nissan’s lineup; it is ultra-affordable, costs less to run in the long-term than most of the competition, and and has significantly more pleasant aesthetics than most of the options in it’s weight class.

However, the 2023 Nissan Kicks does not try to overpromise. This offering is for city dwellers and will fare poorly on the open road. Its mundane driving profile is further compounded by the absence of all–wheel drive, which isn’t an upgrade option as the Kicks only offers front-wheel drive.

Nevertheless, you get a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine that pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission to provide sufficient acceleration, especially when driving within the city. On the highway, you will feel significantly more lethargy from the powertrain setup, which is unsurprising. While competitors like the Volkswagen Taos offer more powerful options, they also cost significantly more than the Kicks.

While the tiny cabin you get with such a small SUV does not promise the best in practicality, the 2023 Nissan Kicks utilizes what it has well, maximizing on-board storage with a surprisingly ample cargo area, well-placed cubbies, and offering sufficient legroom, especially for the front seat passengers.

One area where the new Kicks excel above most others is in the features department, with even the base S trim offering an 8-inch infotainment unit and a broad range of driving assistance systems.