2024 Nissan Kicks Delayed After Mysterious Theft in Mexico
Cheap cars and SUVs are more challenging to find daily, thanks to the increased costs of new and used vehicles. Unfortunately for those hoping to buy a new vehicle soon, the 2024 Nissan Kicks is delayed after a theft occurred in Mexico. That leaves one less $20,000 vehicle on the market until production kicks off sometime next year. What are some of the cheapest car and SUV alternatives to look for?
Why is the Nissan Kicks so popular?
The Nissan Kicks is popular because it is one of the cheapest cars and SUVs of 2024, with an MSRP of $20,790. Nissan will offer the 2024 Kicks in three trim levels: S, SV, and SR. The fully loaded Kicks SR will start at $23,350 and was supposed to be on sale early next year. All trim levels receive the same 1.6L four-cylinder engine that returns 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. That is some of the best fuel economy in the class and one of the only Nissan SUVs under $25,000.
| 2024 Nissan Kicks | MSRP | Fuel Economy (MPG) |
| S | $20,790 | 31 city/36 highway |
| SV | $22,650 | 31 city/36 highway |
| SR | $23,350 | 31 city/36 highway |
The 2024 Nissan Kicks is full speed ahead, except for some hiccups with the production of the subcompact SUV. According to Automotive News, the Nissan Kicks production was pushed back from December until June next year.
The redesigned Nissan SUV is being built at the Aguascalientes, Mexico, plant near where the theft occurred. According to reports, some tooling was stolen from a supplier in Mexico, though the exact item was not specified. This is where the automaker builds the Kicks for the U.S. markets.
Is the 2024 Nissan Kicks SUV any good?
The Nissan Kicks is good, even if it is one of the cheapest cars and SUVs. Every trim level gets Nissan Safety Shield 360, adding Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. Building one of the cheapest cars should have been helpful for Nissan’s sales as one of the last remaining $20,000 options out there. While theft of this magnitude had some ripple effects, shoppers having one less safe-but-cheap SUV to choose from is a real problem.
Nissan spokesperson Brian Brockman said, “The arrival of the next-generation Kicks is delayed slightly due to an unexpected factor outside the company’s control.” Brockman confirmed the 2023 Nissan Kicks should remain available until the 2024 version hits the streets.
The Kicks is one of the best-selling vehicles in Nissan’s lineup, reporting 50,138 units sold in 2023 alone. That falls behind only the Pathfinder (56,442 sales) and the Rogue (211,091 sales) this year. Even with the delay, the Kicks might be worth the wait.
What are some other good cars and SUVs to look for?
Among the cheapest cars and SUVs for next year, the 2024 Hyundai Venue starts at around $21,135. The new Venue should be out sometime later this year if you need a new car before the Nissan Kicks comes out. Similarly, the 2024 Kia Soul starts at only $21,990 and is available in many places. Finally, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax starts at $21,495 and is also on dealership lots in some areas.
Automotive News also reported an issue with a safety test, so perhaps a slight delay is better than the alternative. As one of the cheapest cars for next year, better safe than sorry. The 2023 Kicks earned above-average scores from both the IIHS and NHTSA, so perhaps a Top Safety Pick award is in the cards for next year.
