Why consider a Nissan Kicks? Pricing starts at under $20,000, it's got a rear hatch and sits a little higher on the road than a sedan–if that's your thing, of course.
Strong marks for something I’m going to assume is big in this segment: The Kicks looks good. It seems to find the balance between welcoming and aggression. Like, it’s friendly but not wimpy, if that makes any sense.
Inside, it’s stylish but, as expected, there are signs of cost-cutting. The door panels, for example, look good but are formed in cold, hard plastic.
The dash has some style to it, though, as the stitching on the center console looks higher-end, and the Kicks gets a D-shaped wheel. (Because race car?)
Gauges are clear. Ditto the HVAC controls: simple and easy to use. No menu navigation required. The car scores well regarding the front seats: comfortable, supportive and with plenty of bottom cushion. I’ll trade plain door panels for good seats.
The back seat is smaller (no surprise as this isn’t a big vehicle), but the placement of the pillars doesn’t block the view. Road trip? Those in the back won’t be penalized. They even get USB plugs.
The driving experience? Well, not too fast. With just two of us aboard, it was full-throttle to merge with highway traffic. Nissan’s CVTs have gotten better, but it’s still not a twin-clutch.
The Kicks is par for the course regarding comfort, but a little more pep would be appreciated.
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