2022 Nissan Kicks

Single engine across all three 2022 trims (S/SV/SR); no optional powertrain offered.

Same 1.6L engine across all trims; no torque variance by configuration.

Consistent with instrumented tests of the 122 hp/CVT powertrain, unchanged for the 2022 model year.

The 1.6L engine and Xtronic CVT are adequate around town but audibly strain and drone under hard acceleration or highway merging, with the tachometer flaring as the CVT hunts for ratio.

Xtronic CVT with no manual mode; smooth at low speed but exhibits typical CVT rubber-banding and engine flare (2,000-5,000 rpm) when asked for full power.

Nissan does not publish a towing rating for the Kicks on any trim; the owner's manual does not recommend towing with this model.

All-wheel drive is not offered on any 2022 Kicks trim (S, SV, or SR) — the model remained FWD-only until the 2025 redesign.

Strictly pavement-oriented: ~7 in. ground clearance, no skid plates, no terrain modes, and FWD-only with no low-traction hardware.

Single 1.6L gas engine with no turbo, hybrid, PHEV, or EV variant across S/SV/SR trims for 2022.

Unchanged EPA figure for the single 1.6L/CVT/FWD powertrain across all 2022 trims.

EPA city figure for the 1.6L/CVT/FWD powertrain.

EPA highway figure, also headlined in Nissan's own 2022 Kicks press release.

Small 10.8-gallon fuel tank limits total range despite strong MPG; below the subcompact SUV band's midpoint.

Low annual fuel cost reflecting strong combined MPG and regular-grade fuel, at EPA's standard 15,000 mi/yr assumption.

Runs on regular unleaded across all trims with no premium recommendation or special fueling requirement.

NHTSA's overall 4-star rating reflects a strong side result but only 4 stars frontal and rollover, keeping it mid-pack rather than a 5-star result.

IIHS rated all six crashworthiness tests (small overlap driver/passenger, moderate overlap, side, roof strength, head restraints) Good, but the Kicks did not earn Top Safety Pick because of its weak headlights and a Moderate (not Good/Superior) front crash prevention vehicle-to-vehicle result.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 (AEB w/ pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, rear automatic braking, high beam assist) is standard on every 2022 Kicks trim including base S; the volume SV trim adds standard Intelligent Cruise Control, but no trim offers active lane-centering.

IIHS front crash prevention testing rated the standard AEB Moderate for vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios but Good for pedestrian detection (avoided collisions at both 12 and 25 mph), a mixed result rather than a top-tier Superior/Advanced rating.

Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are standard across every 2022 Kicks trim, but both are alert-only with no active steering or braking intervention.

The Kicks offers only Lane Departure Warning (an audible/visual alert) with no lane keep assist or lane centering system to correct steering on any trim.

Intelligent Cruise Control (radar-based adaptive cruise) is standard on the volume SV trim and above, but it is a basic system with no stop-and-go capability and no combined highway/lane-centering assist.

ProPilot Assist and any hands-free highway driving system are not offered on the 2022 Kicks on any trim; that capability did not reach the Kicks nameplate until the 2025 redesign.

The standard halogen headlights on S and volume-trim SV rate Poor in IIHS testing; only the SR's optional LED low beams rate Acceptable, and weak headlights are the reason cited for the Kicks missing a Top Safety Pick award in 2022.

Reviewers consistently cite large windows and a low hoodline giving excellent forward and side sightlines, with only modestly thick rear pillars as a minor blind-spot compromise.

IIHS rates the LATCH hardware itself Good+ (easy, versatile anchors), but Cars.com's real-world car-seat test found rear legroom tight enough to earn a B for LATCH ease but D grades for actually fitting infant and rear-facing convertible seats, with the inside passenger-side lower anchor partly obstructed by the middle seatbelt buckle.

The 2022 Kicks is a two-row, five-passenger subcompact SUV across all trims (S/SV/SR).

Carried-over interior dimensions from the 2018-model-year P15 platform, unchanged for the 2021 facelift that the 2022MY continues.

Strong front legroom for the subcompact SUV class thanks to the Kicks' relatively long wheelbase-to-length ratio.

Above-average rear headroom for the segment, aided by the Kicks' tall, boxy roofline.

Rear legroom sits at the low end of the subcompact SUV band, typical of the Kicks' short overall footprint.

The Kicks is a strict two-row subcompact SUV with no third-row seating offered on any trim for 2022.

Cargo volume behind the rear seats is near the bottom of the SUV normalization band, reflecting the Kicks' small subcompact footprint.

Maximum cargo volume with the 60/40 rear seats folded falls below the SUV normalization floor, consistent with the Kicks being the smallest SUV in Nissan's US lineup.

Storage is basic economy-car fare: a modest center console, door pockets, and a small glovebox with no standout innovation.

Reviewers generally found the front seats comfortable for daily use, with SR Premium's heated, Prima-Tex-trimmed seats an upgrade over the base cloth.

The short wheelbase produces a somewhat choppy ride over expansion joints and broken pavement, though it stays composed on smooth roads.

Typical economy-subcompact noise isolation — some wind and road noise intrudes at highway speed, with no acoustic glass or active noise cancellation offered.

Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are gated behind the optional SR Premium package; lower trims get manual AC only, with no rear climate vents.

Base S trim starts near the bottom of the subcompact SUV band, one of the lowest entry prices in the segment.

SV is the best-selling 2022 Kicks trim; priced well under the segment midpoint even as the volume configuration.

Edmunds' model-specific 5-year TCO projection lands mid-to-high in the segment band; a lower third-party estimate (CarEdge, ~$2,425) exists but is a generic brand-level figure rather than year/trim-specific, so the sourced Edmunds figure is used.

Kicks depreciates more slowly than both the subcompact SUV segment average and the all-vehicle average, landing in the upper-middle of the suv band.

Standard Nissan bumper-to-bumper coverage sits at the floor of the segment band; several rivals (Hyundai, Kia) offer longer basic coverage.

Powertrain coverage sits at the floor of the segment band; Kia and Hyundai offer materially longer powertrain warranties in this class.

No complimentary scheduled maintenance is included; owners get a short NissanConnect services trial and standard roadside assistance that only matches the basic warranty period, all below what class leaders like Toyota/Hyundai/Kia bundle.

$22,775 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (61% retained, or about $13,893) leaves about $8,882 in depreciation. Add the projected $8,899 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $17,781 in total.

The 2022 Kicks was named 'Most Dependable Small SUV' in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which surveys actual 3-year owners of MY2022 vehicles — real-world corroboration rather than a prediction. That is tempered by a documented CVT overheating/limp-mode concern on this generation's Xtronic transmission.

Nissan sits mid-pack on multi-year dependability — 12th of 22 brands in Consumer Reports' brand reliability rankings — even though individual nameplates like the Kicks have out-performed the brand average.

No NHTSA recalls are on file for the 2022 model year specifically; owner complaints (33 recorded) cluster around forward collision avoidance, steering and engine but are complaints, not recall campaigns, indicating no systemic issue for this model year.

The HR16DE 1.6L paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT carries a documented reputation for overheating and limp-mode under sustained highway/hill driving on this generation of Kicks, with transmission-related complaints a disproportionate share of owner reports — a real concern despite the model's dependability-study showing.

Reviewers describe cabin materials as below average even for the subcompact class — noticeable hard plastics on the dash and door panels, with softer leatherette and contrast stitching reserved for upper trims.

Period reviews describe the base Kicks as having solid, consistent assembly for its price point; the rattle/panel-gap complaints that show up in owner forums are concentrated on the later redesigned (2025+) generation, not this one.

Nissan maintains one of the larger dealer networks in the US and ranks near the top of J.D. Power's Customer Service Index, indicating strong service satisfaction and wide geographic coverage.

As a high-volume, long-running mainstream nameplate on a shared Nissan/Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi platform, parts supply and typical repair costs are normal for an economy subcompact SUV, with a mature aftermarket.

The volume SV trim carries the 8-inch touchscreen; the base S trim makes do with a smaller 7-inch unit.

NissanConnect's interface is straightforward and not laggy, but its graphics and menu depth feel dated next to segment leaders.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all 2022 trims, but only via a wired USB connection — wireless projection was not introduced on the Kicks until the 2025 redesign.

The Kicks has no built-in navigation system on any 2022 trim and a basic voice-recognition system most owners bypass in favor of phone-projected Siri/Google Assistant.

Base audio is adequate for the class, with an 8-speaker Bose premium system (including a driver headrest speaker) available on the SR Premium package.

The cluster pairs an analog speedometer/tach with a color Advanced Drive-Assist Display (about 7 in) rather than a full digital gauge cluster; SV/SR get the upgraded display, base S a simpler one.

Over-the-air capability is limited to head-unit firmware updates via Wi-Fi, and is tied to the optional NissanConnect Services / SR Premium package rather than standard across the lineup.

The NissanConnect/MyNISSAN app enables remote lock/unlock, vehicle locate, and remote start (with compatible hardware), but requires an optional subscription after the trial period.

Upper trims add a USB-C port alongside USB-A, but no wireless charging pad is offered on the 2022 model year (that arrives in later redesigns).

Intelligent Key proximity entry and push-button start are standard on SV/SR (the volume trims); remote start is available through NissanConnect or a dealer-installed system.

A rearview camera and rear sonar are standard across trims, with the Intelligent Around View 360-degree monitor available on the top SR trim.

No head-up display is offered on any 2022 Kicks trim.

Wide-opening rear doors and a tall roofline ease car-seat installation for a subcompact, but the short rear seat and small cargo area make it tight once a stroller and gear join a child seat.

Safety Shield 360 (AEB with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist) is standard on every 2022 trim, and the IIHS rated the Kicks Good across all crashworthiness tests.

Modest rear legroom, no rear climate vents, and only 25.3 cu ft of cargo behind the rear seats limit multi-hour family trips with gear.

Light steering, a compact footprint, and a CVT tuned for smooth low-speed progress make the Kicks relaxed in traffic, at the cost of driving excitement.

The 1.6L/CVT powertrain returns segment-competitive commuting economy, and Nissan's routine maintenance costs are in line with mainstream economy vehicles.

A 34.1-ft turning diameter and a short, narrow body make the Kicks easy to thread through city streets and tight parking, and SR's Around View Monitor adds camera help.

The Kicks is FWD-only with no published, Nissan-recommended towing rating, and its small cargo area offers little real work utility.

The Kicks is engineered and marketed purely as an economy commuter crossover, not for fleet or work-duty abuse, and there is no meaningful fleet-durability track record to draw on.

No onboard power outlets, tie-downs, or upfit ecosystem are offered — the Kicks has no work-oriented provisions at all.

The Kicks' choppy ride on rough pavement and modest cabin isolation make it a so-so highway companion, though its light footprint and decent fuel range help on longer legs.

FWD-only with 7.0 in of ground clearance and no all-wheel-drive option, the Kicks has little genuine off-pavement or adventure capability.

A 60/40-split folding rear seat is standard, but with only 32.3 cu ft maximum cargo volume and no roof rails on lower trims, bulky gear is a squeeze.

Reviewers are split: some praise composed handling for a small car, others note noticeable body roll through faster corners — overall secure but unremarkable.

Steering is direct and appropriately weighted for city use but offers little genuine road feedback.

No major complaints surfaced about brake feel or fade; pedal response is adequate for the class with rear disc brakes on SV/SR.

The 1.6L four-cylinder and CVT deliver adequate, unremarkable drivability with some coarseness under hard acceleration typical of budget CVT pairings.

The CVT produces noticeable engine drone under moderate-to-hard acceleration, a common trait of this powertrain pairing.

The Kicks' short wheelbase and compact footprint give it one of the tightest turning circles in the subcompact SUV class.

A raised seating position gives good outward visibility and easy ingress/egress, though seat/wheel adjustment range is modest on lower trims.

The Kicks prioritizes easy, appliance-like transportation over driving enjoyment; reviewers consistently describe it as pleasant but forgettable rather than engaging.

Even the base S trim carries a full Safety Shield 360 suite (AEB with pedestrian detection, class-exclusive Rear Automatic Braking, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist) plus standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto across every grade — unusually generous for a sub-$21k SUV.

Class-leading base price and strong standard safety/tech content give it real bang-for-buck, but the underpowered 122 hp 1.6L/CVT and FWD-only availability (no AWD anywhere in the lineup) cap capability-per-dollar versus rivals that offer AWD.

Just three trims (S, SV, SR), one engine, one transmission, and FWD-only with no AWD option anywhere — a narrow, take-it-or-leave-it lineup versus rivals like the Kia Seltos or Chevrolet Trailblazer that offer AWD.

2022 US sales of 54,879 units declined quarter over quarter through the year, trailing segment leaders like the Kia Seltos and Honda HR-V — a mid-to-lower pack seller for a subcompact SUV, not a leader or fast riser.

Nissan is a mainstream, non-aspirational brand in the US with a middling reputation in this period — neither a halo brand nor a drag on the model.

Amid the 2022 chip-shortage market, Nissan carried noticeably softer demand and more available incentives/financing offers than Toyota/Honda, which is a buyer benefit even though it reflects a slower seller.

The current US generation dates to MY2018 with a December 2020-revealed facelift for MY2021 (new front/rear fascia, larger touchscreen, electronic parking brake); by 2022 it's a mid-cycle car — updated but not cutting-edge, four model years into its generation.

Reviewers consistently praise its value, safety kit and fuel economy but mark it down for weak power and a cramped back seat in comparison tests, landing it well-reviewed but rarely the top pick of the class versus the Kia Seltos or Honda HR-V; no major NACTOY/10Best wins for this generation.