2021 Nissan Kicks

Pros: Automatic emergency braking is standard; great fuel economy; good cargo room for the size; smooth, quiet ride

Cons: AWD is not available; some so-so interior materials; folded rear seat backs don’t rest flat with the cargo floor

CG Says: The 2021 Nissan Kicks is refreshed with revised styling inside and out. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality is now standard and there are new infotainment screens with a 7-inch screen for the base S and an 8-inch for SV and SR. Mechanically, SV and SR swap their rear drum brakes for disc, although the S retains rear drums. Introduced for 2018, Kicks is a subcompact crossover SUV that slots below the Nissan Rogue Sport in size and price. The Kicks essentially replaced the discontinued Nissan Juke. It is three inches shorter than Rogue Sport and, unlike most other SUVs, is front-wheel drive only; AWD is not available. The sole powertrain is a 122-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Standard safety features include forward-collision warning system with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Other available features include 360-degree Intelligent Around-View Monitor with moving-object detection, rear-door alert, and LED headlights. The lack of available all-wheel drive is a demerit for buyers in Northern climes, but the Nissan Kicks’s affordable pricing, respectable passenger and cargo room for its size, pleasant driving manners, and surprisingly low noise levels make it a fine value in its class.