Sophisticated sporty style at affordable price
side sculpting gives the car a deceptively long look. It seems sporty yet urbane, even though it wears the latest in Nissan design hallmarks, including the floating roof and V-motion grille. And it comes in the interior a deceptively large feeling. The center console is padded on the sides where the driver and front passenger’s knees hit, a small but important amenity.
Legroom is plentiful up front and surprisingly good for this car’s length. Rear passengers enjoy less legroom, but it’s adequate. However, rear seat height is higher than most competitors, unusual for a class where a too-low seating position is the norm. Cargo space is a generous 25.3 cubic feet.
There are a couple sore points, the first being the cup holders. They are buried in the back of the center console and are lower than you might expect. Thankfully, there are others integrated into the door map pockets. The second is the rearview mirror, which has roughly cut edges that prove how little Nissan paid for each one.
The Kicks’ infotainment touch screen more than makes up for any quibbles. It’s responsive and intuitive in operation, while the driver’s instrument cluster offers a lot of display flexibility, providing ample amounts of information. Performance is peppier than you’d
KICKS
expect given the 125 horsepower from its all-aluminum 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. That sounds meager until you realize that the Kicks weighs 2,672 pounds.
Its continuously variable transmission delivers power to the front wheels; all-wheel drive and a man-
ual transmission aren’t available. Thankfully, the transmission seems to be in the proper ratio most of the time, with little of the rubber-banding typical of CVTS. The engine emits a low moan that never proves bothersome.
While the Kicks does have an independent front suspension, the rear gets a twist-beam suspension. Steering is fairly quick and nicely weighted but numb, returning no
road feel.
Body lean comes on gradually through corners but is ever present. Push the car hard and lean becomes excessive. You’ll feel the tires surrender and understeer kicks in, although it telegraphs these limits far in advance.
Ultimate grip seemed average, although bump absorption was impressive, lending a ride that felt like a more expensive vehicle. The front
disc/rear drum brakes provide good stopping power. The cabin is impressively quiet.
Just don’t expect driving kicks from the Kicks; that is not its mission. Rather, the 2018 Nissan Kicks offers sophisticated sporty style, a comfortable ride, generous cabin space and loads of equipment at prices mere mortals can afford.
It’s like remembering to order a hamburger with cheese.