Kicked Up a Notch: The Nissan Kicks Has a Growth Spurt

This summer, Nissan is Kicking back against stagnant vehicle design. Larger and more powerful than ever before, the 2025 Nissan Kicks is an upgrade in every sense of the word. 

With this latest reinvention, Nissan’s charming compact crossover SUV receives its cleanest, most cohesive exterior design yet. It evolves without losing any of the quirky personality it’s become associated with. This version of the Kicks is more spacious than its 2024 model, comes equipped with a more powerful engine, and – for the first time – gives you an all-wheel drive option. 

Pumped Up Kicks

Nissan has been careful not to tinker with the core intangibles we’ve come to love from the Kicks – namely, its low price and endearingly funky design. But this year’s model is a natural next step for this boxy blazer, starting with its revamped exterior. The 2025 Kicks features pronounced wheel arches, a distinctive grille, and optional two-tone color schemes. It’s also significantly higher off the ground, with 8.4 inches of ground clearance compared to the 2024’s 7.0 inches.

The “bigger is better” philosophy extends beneath the hood. The engine is getting a massive upgrade in the form of a 2.0-liter unit rated for 141 horsepower and 140 lb.-ft. of torque. Optional all-wheel drive is included for the first time, and there is now a “Snow” drive mode in addition to the standard Normal, Eco, and Sport modes. 

While past models of the Kicks were modest enough to veer into hatchback territory, there’s no mistaking the 2025 Kicks as anything other than a subcompact SUV. This is a vehicle meant to pack the family into for a trip down Route 81 towards Staunton, or to spend a weekend afternoon watching the flowers come into bloom at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum.

An Expanded Interior 

The 2025 Kicks’ larger frame naturally leads to increased space in the interior – specifically, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room, and 0.9 inches more knee room in the rear. Rear passengers also get to enjoy Nissan’s zero-gravity seats, an example of the exterior modernization seeping into the cabin area. 

New infotainment options are available this year. In addition to the standard 7.0-inch display, you get an available 12.3-inch center screen. More diver-assistance features come standard this time around, including: 

• Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection 
• Lane-departure warning 
• Available adaptive cruise control with lane-centering 

More Than Just For Kicks

Like unboxing a new pair of sneakers, the Nissan Kicks offers a fresh way to get around Rocktown this spring. Start your season off with a trip to Steven Nissan, where we’re constantly stocked with the latest in new and used Nissan vehicles. Check out previous editions of the Kicks or explore its SUV siblings, such as the 2024 Nissan Murano and 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. No matter what you drive, Kick off your spring adventure at Harrisonburg’s most trusted Nissan dealership, Steven Nissan.