2019 Nissan Kicks

Single engine across the whole 2019 lineup (S/SV/SR); output is well below the subcompact-SUV norm.

Same 1.6L engine across all trims; torque is thin for the segment, felt most at highway passing speed.

Among the slowest vehicles in the subcompact SUV class; consistent across all three trims since they share the powertrain.

The 1.6L is smooth and adequately quiet around town but is audibly strained and coarse under hard acceleration or highway merges — reviewers consistently flagged it as underpowered rather than refined.

The CVT itself shifts (simulates) nothing and is tuned for smooth low-speed response without harsh hunting; it's an unremarkable but competent CVT, not a weak point on its own — the complaint is engine output, not gearbox behavior.

Nissan publishes no towing rating for the Kicks and does not recommend it for towing in any configuration.

FWD is the only drivetrain offered across S, SV, and SR for 2019 — AWD is not available at any price point, an outlier even among subcompact crossovers.

Modest ~6.7 in ground clearance, no skid plates, no low-range or terrain modes, and no off-road-oriented trim — the Kicks is styled like a crossover but is a pavement-only FWD hatchback underneath.

One engine, one transmission, one drivetrain for the entire 2019 model year — the narrowest possible lineup, with no turbo, hybrid, or AWD variant to choose from.

One of the most fuel-efficient gas-powered SUVs sold in the US for 2019, thanks to a small naturally-aspirated engine and low curb weight.

City figure is exceptional for the class, benefiting from low weight and a small displacement engine.

Highway figure sits at the top of the gas-SUV range, the payoff for the Kicks' weak acceleration and thin torque.

Excellent MPG is offset by a small fuel tank, so total range is modest and near the bottom of the segment despite the strong efficiency.

Below-average annual fuel spend for a gas SUV, directly reflecting the class-leading MPG.

Runs on regular unleaded with no special fuel requirement across all trims.

NHTSA's overall rating for the 2019 Kicks is 4 stars, with a 4-star frontal score (driver 5, passenger 4) pulling it just below the 5-star ceiling despite a 5-star side score.

IIHS named the 2019 Kicks a Top Safety Pick (not Pick+, since the award required the SR's LED headlights): Good in moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraints, Good in the driver-side small overlap front, but only Acceptable in the passenger-side small overlap front. Front crash prevention rated Superior for vehicle-to-vehicle; no pedestrian-detection rating was published.

Automatic emergency braking is standard on every 2019 trim (S/SV/SR), but the suite stops there for the base S — blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert are standard only on SV and SR, and Intelligent Around View is SR-exclusive. Nissan Safety Shield 360 (adding lane departure warning and high-beam assist) did not arrive on the Kicks until the 2020 model year, so the volume SV trim has no lane-keeping, no adaptive cruise, and no automatic high beams at all in 2019.

IIHS front crash prevention testing rated the Kicks Superior for vehicle-to-vehicle AEB — it avoided the 12 mph test collision entirely and cut 13 mph off closing speed in the 25 mph test. IIHS did not publish a pedestrian AEB rating for this model year, so credit is withheld for the nighttime/pedestrian component the top band expects.

Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are standard on the SV and SR trims (covering the volume configuration) but entirely unavailable on the base S, and both are alert-only with no active braking intervention.

No lane departure warning or lane keeping assist was offered on any 2019 Kicks trim — the feature was absent lineup-wide and only arrived with the 2020 model year's standardized Safety Shield 360.

Adaptive cruise control was not offered on the 2019 Kicks in any trim — only conventional fixed-speed cruise control was available, and there is no highway-assist feature of any kind.

No hands-free or highway-assist driving system exists on the 2019 Kicks in any form.

IIHS rated the halogen headlights on the S and SV trims — which includes the volume SV configuration — Poor, with inadequate visibility on a gradual left curve and glare on low beam. Only the SR's LED projector low-beams (paired with halogen high-beams) reached Acceptable, and IIHS's Top Safety Pick award for this model year applied only to that SR headlight spec.

Reviewers consistently praised the Kicks' large greenhouse, low beltline and low hoodline for excellent forward and side sightlines, including good views of the front blind spots through the stretched rear-door glass. Rear visibility is the weak point — thick rear pillars and tall head restraints restrict the direct view aft — partly offset by a standard rearview camera on every trim, though the 360-degree Around View system that would fully compensate is SR-exclusive.

IIHS rated the Kicks' LATCH anchors Good for ease of use, reflecting accessible lower anchors and workable rear-door openings for fitting child seats in the 5-seat cabin.

Standard 5-passenger two-row layout across all trims (S/SV/SR).

Tall, upright greenhouse gives generous front headroom near the top of the subcompact SUV band.

Front legroom is near the top of the suv band, reflecting a driver-forward cabin layout.

Boxy roofline gives above-average rear headroom for the subcompact class.

Rear legroom is tight for the segment; reviewers note it gets eaten up quickly behind a tall front occupant.

Two-row-only crossover; no third row is offered on the Kicks at any trim.

Behind-second-row cargo volume sits near the bottom of the subcompact SUV band.

EPA-rated max cargo volume with seats folded is well below the suv band floor, reflecting the Kicks' small footprint; the underfloor trunk well adds usable space the EPA figure doesn't capture.

The underfloor trunk-well bin (21.8 cu ft) is a genuinely useful practical touch for the segment, though door and console storage is otherwise unremarkable economy-car fare.

Front seats are adequately cushioned for daily use but not singled out for long-haul comfort; rear seat is flat and best for short stints.

Composed and absorbent over potholed city streets, but reviewers note the ride becomes choppy and fidgety at sustained highway speeds.

Reviews conflict: some note a quiet highway cabin, others cite ample road noise and a tiresome highway experience, landing this near the segment average.

Heated front seats are available only on the SR trim's Premium Package; no heated steering wheel, rear climate vents, or remote pre-conditioning at any trim.

Entry S FWD trim MSRP with destination, from Nissan's own 2019 Kicks pricing release.

SV is the best-selling mid trim, adding blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert over base S.

CarEdge models the Kicks at $1,405 below the SUV segment average for 5-year maintenance and repair, reflecting its simple naturally-aspirated engine and CVT.

CarEdge's depreciation curve for the Kicks projects roughly 35% depreciation by year 5, a mid-pack figure for the subcompact SUV segment.

Standard Nissan basic warranty for the 2019 model year, at the short end of the segment band.

Standard Nissan powertrain warranty for the 2019 model year, at the short end of the segment band.

Nissan includes 3-yr/36,000-mi roadside assistance on all 2016+ models and a NissanConnect services trial on SV/SR trims equipped with the connected system, but offers no complimentary scheduled-maintenance plan — thinner than Toyota, Hyundai or Kia rivals' multi-year free maintenance programs.

$21,245 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (65% retained, or about $13,809) leaves about $7,436 in depreciation. Add the projected $2,425 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $9,861 in total.

Consumer Reports rates the 2019 Kicks below average/less reliable than other 2019-model-year vehicles, and J.D. Power's consumer reliability rating for the 2019 Kicks sits at 3/5 (below average) — mixed but leaning below the segment norm.

Nissan sat mid-pack among mass-market brands in this era — 5th among mass-market brands in J.D. Power's 2020 Initial Quality Study at 161 PP100 (better than industry average), but Consumer Reports' brand dependability rankings for Nissan have trended average-to-below-average through the late 2010s, driven largely by CVT complaints across the lineup.

The 2019 Kicks carries a single NHTSA recall (campaign 19V654000, Sept. 2019) for a backup-camera display software fault shared across many Nissan/Infiniti models — a minor, software-only fix with no powertrain or fire risk, consistent with 'typical, nothing systemic.'

The 2019 Kicks pairs its 1.6L HR16DE engine with a Jatco Xtronic CVT — the same CVT family behind Nissan's well-documented reliability problems and extended-warranty actions on Sentra/Altima/Rogue in this era; owner reports and transmission-focused trackers cite shudder/hesitation complaints on the Kicks specifically, though at lower incidence than the more stressed larger-displacement applications.

Reviewers consistently note hard plastic dominates the cabin (door panels, window sills), but call it well-grained and not cheap-looking for the price, with some textured plastic and cloth-covered armrests on upper trims — competitive for a subcompact economy SUV rather than class-leading.

Reviewers generally describe assembly as solid for the price with no widespread rattle complaints; one test vehicle noted a minor clunk traced to the folding rear seatback, an isolated rather than systemic issue.

Nissan runs one of the larger mainstream-brand dealer networks in the US (over 1,000 dealers nationwide), giving the Kicks broad service access, though Nissan's dealer service-satisfaction scores in J.D. Power's CSI studies through this period sat mid-pack rather than top-tier.

As a high-volume mainstream nameplate sharing its platform and drivetrain with other Nissan models, parts are widely stocked and reasonably priced, though the Kicks lacks the outsized aftermarket support of segment leaders like the Honda HR-V/Civic family.

Every 2019 Kicks trim uses the same 7-inch display; it sits at the floor of the suv normalization band.

The NissanConnect 7-inch system is simple and reasonably responsive for the segment, without lag complaints, but is basic and dated compared to larger-screen rivals.

CarPlay and Android Auto are wired-only and offered only on SV and SR trims; the base S lacks phone projection entirely.

No built-in navigation is offered on the 2019 Kicks at any trim; owners rely entirely on phone-projected maps, and native voice control is basic Bluetooth/phone command only.

The optional Bose Personal Plus 8-speaker system with driver headrest speakers (SR Premium Package) is a genuine upgrade for the price point, though the base stereo is unremarkable.

The Kicks retains analog gauges with a small color driver information display rather than a configurable full-digital cluster on any trim.

No over-the-air update capability, for infotainment or the vehicle generally, was offered on the 2019 Kicks.

NissanConnect Services offers only basic remote functions on an economy trial-subscription basis at this vintage, with no digital key and limited feature depth.

Three USB-A ports are standard, but there is no USB-C, no wireless charging pad, and no household AC outlet at any trim.

Push-button start with Intelligent Key proximity entry is standard even on the base S trim, though there is no phone-as-key or hands-free liftgate.

A rearview monitor is standard fleet-wide, and the SR trim adds a 360-degree Around View Monitor, but there are no parking sensors at any trim and the surround camera is SR-exclusive.

No head-up display is offered on the 2019 Kicks at any trim level.

Standard LATCH anchors (two full positions plus a top-tether-only middle seat) make car-seat installation easy, but tight rear legroom (33.2 in) and a small cargo area make stroller/gear duty a squeeze for a growing family.

IIHS named the 2019 Kicks a Top Safety Pick with standard AEB (Superior front crash prevention rating) on every trim, but blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert are reserved for SV/SR, leaving the base S without them.

Subcompact dimensions, no rear climate vents, and modest cargo volume (25.3 cu ft) limit all-occupant comfort on longer family trips.

Reviewers consistently praise the Kicks as an easy, relaxed city driver with good outward visibility and a tight turning circle, though it feels strained merging onto faster roads.

33 mpg combined EPA rating and one of the lowest base prices in the subcompact SUV class ($18,640 for the S trim) make per-mile commuting costs low.

A compact footprint and a 34.1-ft turning circle, plus a standard rearview monitor and available 360-degree Around View Monitor on SR, make the Kicks notably easy to park and thread through city streets.

The Kicks is FWD-only with a 122-hp 1.6L engine and no published tow rating; it is not marketed or engineered for work duty.

No fleet or hard-use reputation data exists yet for this newly launched nameplate (2018 debut); the car is positioned and equipped as an urban commuter, not a work vehicle.

No onboard power outlets, tie-downs, or upfit ecosystem are offered; the small cargo area and lack of AWD further limit jobsite usefulness.

Decent highway fuel economy (36 mpg) gives reasonable range between fill-ups, but reviewers note a fidgety highway ride and road noise that erode long-haul comfort.

No AWD is offered on any 2019 Kicks trim, limiting it to pavement and light gravel use; roof rails are standard but the low-power FWD-only drivetrain caps genuine adventure utility.

60/40 split-folding rear seats, standard roof rails, and the underfloor trunk-well bin add useful flexibility, but overall cargo volume is small for gear-hauling.

Agile and easy to place in tight city gaps, but reviewers describe darty, less settled handling at highway speed — secure but unremarkable overall.

Steering is light and easy for parking but reviewers consistently note it gives little feedback to the driver.

No instrumented stopping-distance data was found for the 2019 Kicks; no major reviewer complaints about brake feel or fade were noted either, suggesting adequate, unremarkable performance.

The 122-hp 1.6L/CVT pairing is adequate for low-speed acceleration but becomes strained and coarse when asked for highway passing power.

The small-displacement engine and CVT drone audibly under load, a common complaint for this powertrain pairing.

A 34.1 ft turning circle sits at the tight end of the suv band, giving the Kicks class-leading maneuverability.

An upright seating position and good outward visibility make the Kicks easy to place and see out of, with straightforward control layout typical of the segment.

Reviewers explicitly describe the Kicks as competent but 'in no way fun to drive' — an appliance-like economy crossover rather than an enthusiast pick.

Automatic emergency braking, seven airbags and a rearview camera are standard on every 2019 Kicks trim including the base S — unusually generous safety content for a ~$19.5k subcompact SUV in 2019 — though alloy wheels, blind-spot/rear-cross-traffic alert and the Bose audio system are reserved for SV/SR.

Strong standard safety tech and class-competitive fuel economy for the price undercut rivals like the Honda HR-V, but the weak 122-hp engine and FWD-only availability temper the overall value case.

Only three trims (S, SV, SR), all front-wheel drive with no AWD option — a narrower lineup than AWD-capable rivals such as the Subaru Crosstrek or Jeep Renegade.

58,193 US units sold in 2019, up roughly 150% year over year — one of the fastest-growing nameplates in the segment in its first full calendar year on sale.

Nissan is a mainstream volume brand without a strong aspirational halo in the subcompact SUV space — neutral rather than negative perception, sitting alongside Kia/Hyundai/Honda rather than enthusiast-favored Mazda or Subaru.

As a newly launched, fast-selling model in its first full year on the US market, the 2019 Kicks carried thinner incentives and financing offers than established segment rivals with more discounting pressure.

The US-market Kicks launched for model year 2018, so 2019 is only the second model year of a brand-new generation — current platform and tech with no redesign risk on the horizon.

Earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick, Good Housekeeping's Best New Subcompact and a WardsAuto 10 Best Interiors nod for 2019, though reviewers consistently flagged the underpowered 122-hp engine as a weak point.