My week with the 2025 Nissan Kicks got me thinking about America’s truck obsession. As people freak out about the overpriced Ford Maverick, a lot of bargain SUVs get ignored. Most drivers don’t even actually do truck stuff, so save thousands with a compact SUV instead. 

Skip that tiny truck for the 2025 Nissan Kicks instead 

The 2025 Nissan Kicks has an MSRP of $21,830 while the 2025 Ford Maverick starts at $26,995. Also, forget about the electric Slate truck because its price will likely increase before it arrives and it’s relying on EV tax credits to be affordable. 

Anyways, the compact Kicks is thousands cheaper than the Maverick with an 8.4-inch ground clearance for off-roading. You can fold the seats flat for storage, put a bike rack on the back, and carry extra cargo on the roof. 

So, why not save with this practical SUV that was just redesigned with an attractive style, modern interior, and advanced tech? 

Let’s start with a few potential Nissan Kicks drawbacks: 

• This SUV isn’t exactly a racecar with a slightly sluggish engine. 
• Some drivers may prefer physical controls compared to the touchscreen setup. 
• Taller drivers feel like the infotainment screen is too low, but that’s not an issue for me at 5’1”.

Now onto the good stuff. 

The 2025 Nissan Kicks has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 hp and 141 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a continuously variable transmission and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 9.0 seconds. 

That won’t blow you away, but it’s average for the class. The steering is well weighted and the brakes are confident. There is little to no body roll around curves and the handling is very responsive. Also, the transmission didn’t seem laggy. 

It gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and up to 35 mpg on the highway. This estimate is spot on with with what I was getting. 

The Kicks is pretty comfortable too. There is a bit of noticeable wind noise at highway speeds, but it’s not as loud as the Ford Maverick. The front seats are pretty spacious, but taller folks may want more headspace. 

They’re supportive with breathable fabric. The rear seats have a little less space, but I had enough room to sit comfortably. Plus, the suspension quickly dampens impacts for a smooth and stable ride. 

For a while, cheap hatchbacks were all the rage. Their interiors didn’t help hide the price as they were full of cheap plastics. This isn’t the case with the Kicks as it provides an upscale, attractive interior. 

Textured patterns break up large sections of black upholstery, and surfaces are covered with a plush leatherette fabric. The flat bottom steering wheel feels modern and red accent stitching adds pops of colors. Plus, the available panoramic sunroof is massive. 

The standard Kicks is pretty loaded with remote keyless entry, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, 7-inch system, rear parking sensors, and the Nissan Safety Shield 360 package. 

Higher tirm levels have 12.3-inch screens, 360-degree camera views, a wireless phone charging pad, 10-speaker Bose Premium sound system, remote start, and creature comforts like heated seats. 

The screens are vibrant and responsive, but the menus could be a little more intuitive. Also, the Kicks is so convenient with massive windows, that the 360-degree camera isn’t a necessity. 

The 2025 Nissan Kicks offers 30 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats and up to 60 cubes overall. It has an adjustable floor height to provide extra space for larger objects. Storage space for personal items is above average. 

*It doesn’t have an official towing capacity, because it’s not recommended for towing. 

Overall, the 2025 Nissan Kicks shines as an affordable compact SUV bargain. Even the entry-level model is loaded with high tech features for comfort and convenience. 

It’s comfortable, capable with off-roading modes, spacious, and upscale. It beats the ‘affordable’ compact trucks Americans are obsessed with.