2020 Nissan Kicks Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The long-term popularity of SUVs has recently been evolving into a greater desire for slightly smaller crossover vehicles, and the 2020 Nissan Kicks is a perfect example of what a crossover can offer. As a car with a small footprint, it feels light and agile as it drives around town. The design of the crossover gives it some extra versatility in terms of carrying passengers and cargo, and overall, it feels fun and sporty. It comes in three trims - the S, SV, and SR - so there are some options to think about in terms of interior amenities and extra features.

What's New for 2020?

The Nissan Kicks has only been in the market for a few years. For 2020, Nissan has left the Kicks mostly the same as in previous years. The company is probably hoping that the fresh design that the Kicks debuted with will keep attracting more customers, especially those who like driving something that straddles the divide between car and SUV. Note that roof racks are no longer being offered on the Kicks, and the 2020 model year comes with a few extra driver-assist features.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Nissan Kicks – The Pros

1. Easy to Maneuver

A major attraction to the 2020 Nissan Kicks is its size. With many people being concerned about their carbon footprint and/or their ability to score the best parking spots, subcompacts are finding that it's their time to shine. The Nissan Kicks has a turning radius of 17.1 feet, so it can easily take those tight turns that people sometimes have to deal with. The Kicks is easy to navigate in parking garages, crowded parking lots, and urban neighborhoods, and making a U-turn isn't stressful at all.

2. Ample Cargo Room

As a subcompact vehicle, the 2020 Nissan Kicks actually has a lot of storage space. The way its built gives it 25.3 cubic feet of room behind the second row of seats. Since that rear seat comes with as a 60/40 split-bench, one or both sides can be folded down to create more room. When the full bench is lowered, there are even more storage opportunities, and bulky items can be accommodated.

3. Comprehensive Infotainment System

A seven-inch touchscreen is standard on the 2020 Nissan Kicks. Through the touchscreen, drivers (or front passengers) can make adjustments to the playback and fiddle with other vehicle settings. The screen is large enough to have its text easy to read, and it's located in a central position that makes sense given the layout of the center console. Bluetooth, streaming audio, and three USB ports are all standard as well.

Apple CarPlay and Android come on all trims but the most basic one. This smartphone compatibility makes it simple to access one's contact information, favorite songs, and certain apps. With NissanConnect, which is offered on the top two trims of the Kicks, remote access is offered, allowing people to remotely lock/unlock their vehicles and pinpoint the Kicks' exact parking location.

4. Automatic Emergency Braking is Standard

As part of its Safety Shield 360 package, Nissan gives its Kicks customers a suite of driver-assist features. This features automatic emergency braking as well as automatic rear braking. As the car is driving, sensors can continually monitor whether it seems like a front collision is imminent because another vehicle or pedestrian is in front of it. If sensors detect a problem, alerts are sent out, and the car can apply the brakes on its own if the driver can't react quickly enough. With rear braking, the same idea applies, as the Kicks can slow or stop the car to avoid hitting something behind it while it's in reverse.

5. An Efficient Model

The 2020 Nissan Kicks does very well in the efficiency department. It can achieve an estimated 31 miles per gallon in the city, and estimated highway mileage is more impressive at 36 miles per gallon. Weighing less than 3,000 pounds and having a smaller engine helps the car earn these numbers.

6. A Premium Bose Speaker System is Available

Standard on the Kicks is a six-speaker audio system that gets the job done in terms of entertaining passengers. If anyone prefers to have a premium listening experience, the top trim of the Kicks comes with the option to upgrade to a Bose Personal Plus Audio System. It includes eight speakers, to include speakers that have been built into the driver's headrest. This unique feature gives people a more intimate experience, which is similar to what it's like when wearing high-quality headphones.

7. Sporty Interior Features

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is far from a luxury car, but it doesn't necessarily feel that way. On the SR trim, the seats are upgraded to feature a sport cloth seat trim. Orange accents make them feel youthful, and there is the option to enhance the trim to Prima-Tex. Heated front seats are optional with the SR, which also has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and black accents throughout the cabin.

8. Attractive Starting Price

It can be hard to find a reliable car that starts out at under $20,000, but the Kicks fits the bill. The base model is priced under that threshold, and the other two trims are just above the mark. There's no way to ignore the fact that affordability is a huge factor in what makes a vehicle a practical choice for a particular person.

9. Modern Design

The shape and stance of the 2020 Nissan Kicks makes it look like its ready to jump into action. It has an angular front section and unique lines towards the back of it, making is quite distinct from a sedan or hatchback. At the same time, it's a little different than a traditional SUV because of its more compact shape and because its roof slopes slightly downward.

Exterior colors range from the stoic Super Black and elegant Aspen White Tricoat to bold two-tone combinations like Monarch Orange Metallic and Metallic or Cayenne Red Metallic and Super Black. Black and White is another color combination to think about. It's not everyday that two-tone vehicles are seen, so this is a nice offering that Nissan has included with the Kicks.

10. Room for Adults in the Back

Even though the 2020 Nissan Kicks is on the smaller side, most adults will fit comfortably in the back. Rear leg room is 33.2 inches. The cabin feels more spacious thanks to the amount of headroom in the back. Two people can each have their own space and spread out a little bit, and putting a third passenger in the back is feasible in many situations.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Nissan Kicks – The Cons

1. Sluggish Acceleration

With high-performance cars, one often hears the term "zero to 60" when speed is being described. Since the Kicks takes almost ten seconds to hit that 60 miles per hour mark, this isn't an area that Nissan will boast about. The engine on the Kicks can generate 125 horsepower, which is fine in most situations. Things are far from being exciting or interesting, but most people will certainly have enough power to get around safely.

2. No All-Wheel Drive

Many customers live in places that see some dicey winter weather, and others like the idea of being able to drive up to the mountains on occasion. A problem with the Nissan Kicks is that it doesn't come with all-wheel drive. This is a limiting factor considering that even several sedans have all-wheel drive as an option.

3. Low Clearance

Ground clearance on the Kicks is only 6.9 inches. This is great for those who like sitting low to the ground and want something similar to a car, but it could be seen as a negative for those who prefer to have a crossover that feels a little more like an SUV.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

The subcompact SUV/crossover seems to be continually growing. What helps the 2020 Nissan Kicks stand apart from some of its competitors is the interior space that it offers. It has greater front leg room and dedicated cargo space than the Kia Soul. When compared to the Honda HR-V, the Nissan shines because it has standard automated emergency braking and rear emergency braking while the Honda only has this as an option.

Conclusion

Modern consumers have big expectations when it comes to their vehicles. They want them to be reliable, comfortable, high-tech, and stylish. For the majority of people, cost is one of the most important things to consider. The 2020 Nissan Kicks is attractive because it has a low price and features all of those qualities just mentioned. While it may not have all the high-end touches that mid-level and luxury cars come with, most people who are looking at this price point probably won't mind. Imagine the feeling that one would have when getting inside the Kicks and seeing how much space there really is. That feeling is similar to how people might continue to feel as they learn about all that the Kicks has to offer.