Nissan Kicks 2022 Review

In terms of its size, the 2022 Nissan Kicks is the smallest SUV in the automaker's lineup, slotting in below the Rogue Sport. In terms of its price, the 2022 Kicks is the most affordable of Nissan's SUVs, yet it still offers as standard equipment the infotainment and safety technologies its cash-strapped buyers want most. But in terms of its performance, an underpowered engine and lack of all-wheel drive might make you question whether the Nissan Kicks is an SUV at all.

Among its many extra-small SUV rivals, the Kicks is most like the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul. Those models do offer some advantages over the Kicks in regards to value and power, however. If you have a few grand more to spend, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 are excellent alternatives as well. Be sure to read our full Expert Rating of the Kicks before you make a final decision.

Which Kicks does MatoCar recommend?

[Editor's note: The following information is based on the 2021 Kicks. We expect the 2022 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The 2022 Nissan Kicks is available in S, SV and SR trim levels. They all come with a 122-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. Feature highlights include:

S Starts off with:

• 16-inch steel wheels with plastic wheel covers
• Power side mirrors
• Power windows
• Power door locks
• Remote keyless entry
• Push-button ignition
• Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Air conditioning
• Cloth upholstery
• Driver's seat height adjuster
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

The Kicks also includes an impressive list of safety systems as standard equipment:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Reverse automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• Automatic high-beam headlights

SV Choose SV trim for added style, convenience and tech features including:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Body-colored exterior trim
• Roof rails
• Rear disc brakes (can enhance braking performance)
• Heated side mirrors
• Keyless entry
• Remote engine start
• Automatic climate control
• Center storage console between the front seats
• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite radio
• Rear seat reminder
• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Kicks and the car in front)
• Drowsy driver monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

SR Tops the Kicks range with:

• Intelligent Dynamics Control (brake-based technology that helps smooth the ride and improve cornering)
• LED headlights
• Mirror-mounted LED turn signal indicators
• Dark chrome grille trim
• Black side mirror and roof rail trim
• Rear roof spoiler
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Sport cloth upholstery with orange accents
• Surround-view monitor (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)

If you're feeling especially spendy, there is an SR Premium package that adds:

• Connected services
• Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Simulated leather upholstery trim
• Heated front seats and steering wheel
• Cargo cover
• Bose premium sound system