2018 Nissan Kicks SR Long-Term Arrival: The Value-Packed Style

Cheap and affordable vehicles used to mean owning a car that looks like a bar of soap and offers a driving experience best described as soulless. Now, small and/or inexpensive vehicles are far from basic transportation, and the 2018 Nissan Kicks is a great example. Packed with the latest tech and cool exterior colors to help it stand out, the Kicks aims to lure young consumers with a strong value proposition, plenty of standard features, and great fuel economy.

When we configured our long-term Nissan Kicks, opting for the range-topping SR trim was a no-brainer. From a pricing standpoint, it was only $600 more than the midgrade SV, and it came with more standard features, including Nissan’s Around View Monitor, a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display, 17-inch alloy wheels, and LED low-beam headlights. The SR grade is also the only way you can get the awesome eight-speaker Bose Personal Plus audio system, which is part of the $1,000 SR Premium package; it’s a feature we are eager to spend plenty of time with. All told, our tester checks in at $23,000.

Like the Versa Note, the Kicks is highly customizable via Nissan’s Color Studio, which allows you to add contrasting side mirror covers, colorful interior trim, wheel inserts, and floormats with colored piping to spice up your ride. One the safety front, automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning are standard on all models, but blind-spot morning and rear cross-traffic alert are only available on the SV and SR grades. Standard features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen, three USB ports, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera.

The 2018 Nissan Kicks rides on the V platform, also used on the Versa, Versa Note, and Sentra. Its suspension features MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam out back. Unfortunately, this platform can’t support all-wheel drive, so Nissan’s smallest crossover is front-drive only. The SR grade is also the only model to come with the Integrated Dynamic-Control Module powertrain software, which adds Nissan’s Active Engine Brake, Active Trace Control, and Active Ride Control to improve the Kicks’ road manners.

Powered by a 1.6-liter I-4 with 125 hp and 115 lb-ft of torque paired to a CVT, the 2018 Nissan Kicks is far from a powerhouse. The engine is shared with the Versa and Versa Note but tuned for more power in the Kicks. With an EPA fuel economy rating 31/36 mpg city/highway, the Kicks’ efficiency is among the best in its segment. The test team will also put the Kicks through MotorTrend’s rigorous testing regime to see where its performance stands in its class. Our friends at EQUA Real MPG, on the other hand, will strap their equipment on the fun-sized crossover to see how efficient it is.

We’re eager to see how Nissan’s stylish urbanite performs. To stand out in a crowded and rapidly growing segment, the Kicks needs to be more than just another crossover. From the daily commute and road trips to Ikea runs and epic food crawls, the Kicks will take part in every millennial activity and adventure we can think of. Will Nissan’s extroverted urban utility vehicle charm us with its blend of practicality, value, and efficiency? Or will its emphasis on sensibility overshadow its merits? Tag along for the ride, and let’s find out.

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