2018 / 2019 Nissan Kicks Review - First Drive
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
chameleonfps
Awesome vid as per usual. Imma just my two cents about this car here lol. (Warning long)Alright so Im going to try to look at this as objectively and neutral as possible as I very much hate this segment. So if im correct this car is going after millennials who most likely are upgrading from economy cars or previous gen hybrids, or driving your parents old mini van. This means they either had terrible autos or cvts, so im going to take this as why nissan was ok with putting a cvt in this cuv. But this is still not a good excuse as other auto makers have used dcts in their cars to get better fuel economy but not losing the thing that a lot of people want which is a fun capable car at a price that wont break the bank. This does achieve pretty good gas mileage but its so freaking slow that i would take the 5 mpg downgrade and get a turbo kona lol. Basically in terms of drive this car just doesnt make since in this segment as the hrv does its job but better (being the comfortable car in the class) and the cx3/kona do a better job at being sporty. Even the chr at least goes for styling and fuel economy. The renegade at least has off-road handled. I guess the only point of this car is being the affordable subcompact with room and good mpg, which means there is an audience for this car (I personally am not that audience.
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Awesome vid as per usual. Imma just my two cents about this car here lol. (Warning long)Alright so Im going to try to look at this as objectively and neutral as possible as I very much hate this segment. So if im correct this car is going after millennials who most likely are upgrading from economy cars or previous gen hybrids, or driving your parents old mini van. This means they either had terrible autos or cvts, so im going to take this as why nissan was ok with putting a cvt in this cuv. But this is still not a good excuse as other auto makers have used dcts in their cars to get better fuel economy but not losing the thing that a lot of people want which is a fun capable car at a price that wont break the bank. This does achieve pretty good gas mileage but its so freaking slow that i would take the 5 mpg downgrade and get a turbo kona lol. Basically in terms of drive this car just doesnt make since in this segment as the hrv does its job but better (being the comfortable car in the class) and the cx3/kona do a better job at being sporty. Even the chr at least goes for styling and fuel economy. The renegade at least has off-road handled. I guess the only point of this car is being the affordable subcompact with room and good mpg, which means there is an audience for this car (I personally am not that audience.
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Darren Persad
Just my two cents on this thing - most subcompact SUVs are on the more mediocre side, with many essential SUV-like features missing. In that regard, the Kicks isnt different - its a FWD-based vehicle with an anemic power plant and CVT, but target market is key here; youre looking at smaller families or singles that need a bit more practicality, probably in more urban and slightly suburban environments, probably where theres inclement weather, and where costs to own and run need to be kept to a minimum. The Kicks checks off those boxes. And, with greater attention to detail and better tech than some of the similarly priced competitors, it still has plenty of potential in the market. Personally, I think it would be a better vehicle than our HR-V as is (except for the lack of AWD, but if this had a more respectable power plant, a 6-speed automatic, and optional AWD, this couldve actually been a contender for leading the segment Missed opportunity there, Nissan
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Just my two cents on this thing - most subcompact SUVs are on the more mediocre side, with many essential SUV-like features missing. In that regard, the Kicks isnt different - its a FWD-based vehicle with an anemic power plant and CVT, but target market is key here; youre looking at smaller families or singles that need a bit more practicality, probably in more urban and slightly suburban environments, probably where theres inclement weather, and where costs to own and run need to be kept to a minimum. The Kicks checks off those boxes. And, with greater attention to detail and better tech than some of the similarly priced competitors, it still has plenty of potential in the market. Personally, I think it would be a better vehicle than our HR-V as is (except for the lack of AWD, but if this had a more respectable power plant, a 6-speed automatic, and optional AWD, this couldve actually been a contender for leading the segment Missed opportunity there, Nissan
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are vee
When reviewing a utility vehicle, it would be nice to see the actual utility. Put the seats down and show the back. Do the seats fold flat? How high is the lift over? Is the opening large enough and shaped so large objects can be loaded easily. I know the roller bag testing is a good non-objective way to compare models, but most people are not filling their cars with roller bags. They go to the home improvement store, buy furniture or large objects, etc. So please focus on that utility. Ill bet this Kicks would not have beat the HRV or Soul with the seats down. When it comes to cargo utility, Honda has it nailed with the magic seats.
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When reviewing a utility vehicle, it would be nice to see the actual utility. Put the seats down and show the back. Do the seats fold flat? How high is the lift over? Is the opening large enough and shaped so large objects can be loaded easily. I know the roller bag testing is a good non-objective way to compare models, but most people are not filling their cars with roller bags. They go to the home improvement store, buy furniture or large objects, etc. So please focus on that utility. Ill bet this Kicks would not have beat the HRV or Soul with the seats down. When it comes to cargo utility, Honda has it nailed with the magic seats.
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Dennis Dowd
Like always one of the best reviews of a car I have ever seen. It is almost a pleasure to watch you work. The one thing that I wanted was the radar cruise control, I really wish the higher end had that. Otherwise, I am impressed with what Nissan is offering here. Truly an exciting car in this segment. The lack of the radar cruise puts me back into the Corolla segment again. Especially with the Corolla Hatchback that is out. Of course I havent driven either one yet, so I am still going by impressions. Thanks
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Like always one of the best reviews of a car I have ever seen. It is almost a pleasure to watch you work. The one thing that I wanted was the radar cruise control, I really wish the higher end had that. Otherwise, I am impressed with what Nissan is offering here. Truly an exciting car in this segment. The lack of the radar cruise puts me back into the Corolla segment again. Especially with the Corolla Hatchback that is out. Of course I havent driven either one yet, so I am still going by impressions. Thanks
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Michael Webber
Wow. The SV is a terrific alternative to a Corolla, Corolla Hatchback, HR-V. Wish it had lane departure alert, but the Toyota I test drove with it was annoying - first, the lines have to be clear, and second, it gets confused by off-ramps and other situations where the line markings disappear or veer off on one side but I drive straight ahead. AEB - automatic braking - is such an important safety enhancement that the government is mandating it in 3 years.
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Wow. The SV is a terrific alternative to a Corolla, Corolla Hatchback, HR-V. Wish it had lane departure alert, but the Toyota I test drove with it was annoying - first, the lines have to be clear, and second, it gets confused by off-ramps and other situations where the line markings disappear or veer off on one side but I drive straight ahead. AEB - automatic braking - is such an important safety enhancement that the government is mandating it in 3 years.
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Darryl Henry
Everyone in this comment section hates it. Thats good news, its will probably sell extremely well. Good job Nissan; motor trend went on to say that they think this is the first product to strike its target demographic perfectly and I couldnt agree more. I would like to see Nissan bring the 1. 6 DIG-T engine and the 6-speed from the Nismo Sentra as well, although the DIG-T does really well with the CVT too.
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Everyone in this comment section hates it. Thats good news, its will probably sell extremely well. Good job Nissan; motor trend went on to say that they think this is the first product to strike its target demographic perfectly and I couldnt agree more. I would like to see Nissan bring the 1. 6 DIG-T engine and the 6-speed from the Nismo Sentra as well, although the DIG-T does really well with the CVT too.
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jamie heim
I owned both a 91 and 92 240sx They were 2680lbs and 155hp. They were decent on power but left you wanting more. This kicks is an attractive looking vehicle but it needs more power. 150-160hp would be a little more ideal, that along with a manual transmission and at the minimum a limited slip diff or possible awd. Hopefully in the next few years they will add power upgrades.
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I owned both a 91 and 92 240sx They were 2680lbs and 155hp. They were decent on power but left you wanting more. This kicks is an attractive looking vehicle but it needs more power. 150-160hp would be a little more ideal, that along with a manual transmission and at the minimum a limited slip diff or possible awd. Hopefully in the next few years they will add power upgrades.
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palebeachbum
I like the overall look of the Kicks, but I will not touch one with a 10ft pole knowing first hand how unreliable and poorly built Nissans are nowadays. These are not the Nissans from 20yrs ago and reliability rates poorly these days. Combine that with a short 3yr/36k mile warranty and that makes it not worth considering in my book.
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I like the overall look of the Kicks, but I will not touch one with a 10ft pole knowing first hand how unreliable and poorly built Nissans are nowadays. These are not the Nissans from 20yrs ago and reliability rates poorly these days. Combine that with a short 3yr/36k mile warranty and that makes it not worth considering in my book.
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ezekiel1hen
Fuel economy is impressive and standard AEB; Ill have to give them that. Id still say do yourself favor and get a higher trim Kia Soul with the more powerful engines. 4 wheel disc brakes, a great sound system, excellent cabin space, and I guarantee the Soul would be way more reliable. Hopefully we see a redesign of the Soul soon.
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Fuel economy is impressive and standard AEB; Ill have to give them that. Id still say do yourself favor and get a higher trim Kia Soul with the more powerful engines. 4 wheel disc brakes, a great sound system, excellent cabin space, and I guarantee the Soul would be way more reliable. Hopefully we see a redesign of the Soul soon.
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DJ40andOver
Looks like a poor mans Evoq, especially in that two-tone paint trim. Im 51 now & my starter car was a 1990 Dodge Shadow with a 5 sp manual. it cost me about 15000 new. The extra 3 grand over the last 28 years is more than worth it on this Nissan. It only needs an 8-track to go with that Polaroid camera? :)
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Looks like a poor mans Evoq, especially in that two-tone paint trim. Im 51 now & my starter car was a 1990 Dodge Shadow with a 5 sp manual. it cost me about 15000 new. The extra 3 grand over the last 28 years is more than worth it on this Nissan. It only needs an 8-track to go with that Polaroid camera? :)
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