NISSAN HELPS YOU GET YOUR KICKS
CUV boasts sprightly engine, high-tech dash, roomy interior
Spry, easily maneuverable and a gas sipper, the new 2018 Nissan Kicks SR PT also comes with a very tame price tag at $21,630.
Small CUVs have been around in a variety of forms, and the new stable of citydash dwelling crossovers has taken the market by storm. Replacing the quirky niche market favorite Juke, the Kicks has a spacious interior, particularly with the rear seats down.
Although trimmed out in neat and well-fitted plastic trim, the interior is not without some eye candy. The comfortable quilted cloth seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and cross stitching on the soft touch liner make for an attractive appearance.
The controls and straightforward dash provide easy-
to-read and use interaction. A 7-inch touch screen gets your station presets in order along with mating your phone. Apple Airplay and Android Auto sees your phone and automatically displays the interface immediately as you work through your apps.
The car has a bright engine that makes for quick acceleration, and the steering requires just a light touch. Although small of scale, it holds its own on the highway and once up to speed settles confidently. Kicks replaces the turbocharged powerplant of the Juke with a 125-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder motor that spins the front-wheel-drive through a CVT transmission. Expect gas mileage to average in the 30s.
Nissan took a chance transitioning from the popular yet polarizing Juke with a bit more of a mainstream CUV design, but Kicks has its own panache. Stealing a styling que from Mini Cooper, the Kicks can sport a different-colored roof from the body and a squint of the eyes reveals hints of the Juke’s bug-eyed lights. Sharp creases highlight the waist, oversized taillights frame the hatch and LED headlamps, foglamps and grille share similarities to the bigger Nissans. There is easy in-and-out, as with several of its competitors in this fun class of urban UTEs.
A complete package of safety features was a pleasant surprise, including the 360-degree camera, cross alerts and blind-spot monitors.
If the Kicks is in your wheelhouse, then spring for one of the upscale models. It’s only short money more than the base S, and they’re handsomely outfitted with plenty of extras.
Many entries are making noise in this class such as the popular Kia Soul, Hyundai Kona, the newer Ford Ecosport, Mazda CX3, Toyota CHr and the Honda HRV, so have fun shopping.