2020 Nissan Kicks SV // full review and test drive // 100 rental cars

This is rental car number 140 and today I'm driving 2020 Nissan Kicks SV. And it is Kicks with an S. I'm not sure why, but I always want to call this one the Nissan Kick.
I rented this crossover SUV from Enterprise for 850 Enterprise points. Normally when I rent with points I have to pay around $2.00 in taxes, but not this time. Only points, which is fine by me!
Enterprise has 24 different categories of vehicles. This one falls into the "compact suv" class normally costing around $50 a day.
There's more details below, but I just wanted to quickly say ~thank you~ for watching my video. Please comment below and share your thoughts. Or just take a second and say 'Hey'. I'd love to hear from you. Cheers!
Like my stuff? Please consider supporting me on Patreon. Each of these videos takes 4 to 5 hours to make. It's a labor of love, but every little bit helps! So please visit: / 100rentalcars
Let's start with the basics:
Type: 5-door subcompact crossover SUV
Year: 2020
Make: Nissan
Model: Kicks
Trim: SV
Exterior Paint Color: Cayenne Red Metallic
Interior: Charcoal Cloth Interior
MSRP: $20,500
Quick history:
History: This is the first generation of the Kicks. Nissan has been making it since 2016, but it's only been in the US since 2018 as the replacement for the Nissan Juke.
Reliability: The Kicks is too new to get a reliability rating, but Nissan does have decent reliability ratings with most of their other vehicles.
Safety:
Solid ratings, except for issues with the the headlights. The IIHS gave the Kicks its worst headlight rating claiming that disability was pretty bad at night.
From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
Overall Rating: 4/5
Frontal Crash Rating: 4/5
Side Crash Rating: 4/5
Rollover Rating: 4/5
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):
Head restraints and seats: good (the best rating)
Headlights: poor (the worst rating)
Child seat anchors (ease of use): good (the best rating)
Standard Safety Technology
Forward Collision Warning - Standard
The vehicle will warn you of an impending collision
Lane Departure Warning - Standard
The vehicle will warn you if you veer out of your lane.
Crash Imminent Braking - Standard
The vehicle will slow or stop the car if the driver fails to brake
Dynamic Brake Support - Standard
If slow the car down, but don't break enough, the vehicle will take over an attempt to stop the car to avoid a crash.
Under the hood:
Drivetrain: front wheel drive (FWD)
Engine: 1.6-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder CVT
Transmission: XTRONIC CVT (continuously variable transmission)
Horsepower: 122 @ 6,300 rpms
Fuel Economy:
Fuel Type: regular unleaded gas
MPG City: 31
MPG Highway: 36
Combined MPG: 33
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.8 gallons
Infotainment:
7" advanced drive-assist display
7" touch-screen display with apple carplay and android auto.
What it like to drive?
Handling:
17" aluminum-alloy wheels
Acceleration:
Decent. Quick from a full stop and responsive when already moving. It's actually pretty fun.
Cabin noise:
Not bad. Granted, this isn't a luxury vehicle, so you do hear the wind a bit when driving at high speeds, but I didn't feel the need to increase the volume on my podcast, so that's a big plus.
Final Thoughts:
5 stars out of 5
Fun to drive, updated tech, and plenty of cargo room. The Kicks is a great buy at this price point. Check it out!
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CONTACT ME: [e-mail]
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TAGS:
#100rentalcars
#nissan
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You read all the way to the end? Nice! Don't stop here. Shoot me and email or leave me a comment and say Hello!

[@mikemorales1725]

I appreciate your reviews, you hit all the important points w/o all the unnecessary BS

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Another great review! These reviews are the best! I honestly don’t have an issue with the CVT’s in Nissans! CR states that it’s only in earlier models!😸😻😸

[@JoLeeRey]

What a wonderful well informed review. Honestly I was second guessing getting this car but I think you sold me. Lol I will be opting for the SR model with all the bells and whistles

[@tdgdbs1]

My Nissan Cube's CVT is trouble free at 190K miles; I don't believe in lifetime fluid in any car and changed the fluid every 30K.

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

Cool

[@pedrofernandez3893]

My Yaris is my first hatchback ever and now I'm hooked on that design. My next car HAS to be a hatch as well.

[@MichaelWebber]

pedro fernandez which Yaris hatchback Pedro? Toyota has confusing names. The 2020 (made by Mazda for them) or the 2018 or earlier really made by Toyota?

[@marygarrison5907]

Thank you. You are very thorough with this review and i was very curious about this particular vehicle. I'm old and want to purchase something cute and yet simple enough.. i love this and so once again thank you. Excellent Review.

[@anitamchale2913]

So glad I found this channel. I am looking to buy a car. I was thinking going to test drive this model. Now it’s on the top of my list.

[@johnnygutierrez9855]

Just bought the 2020 kicks sr love it

[@elizabethvalles1447]

We were debating about getting the Rogue and opted for the Kicks. We got the sportier model and my husband loves the Bose stereo system. There are some cool sportier features to the Kicks. We agree with you that this is a 5-Star.

[@rajeevvarma84]

how do you feel about your purchase ? We just purchased one

[@aliceduncan8057]

I just purchased a Kicks and love it. It's easy to handle and sturdy.

[@oscardelta1257]

You neglected to mention that the button on the rear of the shifter is for enabling "sport mode". When enabled you'll see an "S" next to the "D" on the digital display when in drive mode, indicating "sport mode" is enabled. "Sport mode" alters the powertrain's behavior; throttle response is more immediate, the engine is happier to rev, and the CVT is also more cooperative. The car also cruises at 3,000 rpm instead of 1,500 rpm, allowing you to make the most of the engine's output. As a result, passing slower traffic on the freeway requires less planning. In other words its like the Hyundai Elantra's "sport mode" button on the center console above the shifter.

[@100RentalCars]

Thanks for pointing this out! I'll be sure to include it next time.

[@oscardelta1257]

@@100RentalCars Yep, no problem. I have the same 2020 SV model just a different color. I tried the sport mode the other day and it does indeed work, you can feel it kick in. You have to be traveling 20mph or over for it to activate and when you shut the vehicle off it automatically goes off and you have to push the button again when you're traveling over 20mph to activate it. The sales person at Nissan never told us about it and good luck finding info about it in the manual. The only reason I found out about it was because I was curious what the button did on the back of the shifter and starting searching the internet

[@Goneforever111]

@@oscardelta1257 thank you for these comments. I just recently got this car, same one as in the video. The funny part is I switched out of a 2020 Hyundai Elantra. I miss that car now lol but she got me in trouble with speeding 😆. Anyways, I noticed with the kicks when I try and take off, especially in a lot of stop and go traffic the car won't take off. It does the exact opposite and it can get frustrating. I noticed with this car it doesn't like it when you punch the gas you have to flutter it. Kinda like driving a stick shift you have to make sure to go through all the gears. I will definitely look into this ”s” mode feature. I saw the button but I pressed it while at a light. I thought it was like the Elantra button but nothing happened. I will press while driving over 20mph and see what happens. 😀 Thanks again for the tip!

[@oscardelta1257]

@@Goneforever111We no longer have the kicks. We sold it back to Nissan in late July of this year and bought a Mazda CX-9 Carbon Edition. We needed something a little larger and more comfortable for longer trips with a larger gas tank. The kicks is a great city vehicle but not so much for long distance travel

[@eunoia1016]

I am on my 3rd Nissan, have had my x_Terra for 15 years and it is still going strong. The most trouble I have ever had with any of these cars are the direct affects of New England salted winter roads. Great cars, low maintenance, under rated IMHO. I am looking at this Kicks, but wonder how it will be in the snow.

[@johnnygutierrez9855]

This is my fourth Nissan bought them all new all went to 300k that’s y I buy Nissan

[@ThanatosDMC]

Great review! I like that you focused on the safety features especially the blind spot and the back camera.

[@tortangtalong1]

Great review! I have driven Nissan CvT and the late models are quite peppy

[@AllMightyLifeGiver]

I have this car. Mine actually has a middle console and remote start. And CarPlay. It’s a really good car.

[@bloopbloop2019]

Been waiting for this, thanks!! 😊❤️

[@sweetcraft557]

I have 122,000 miles on my nissan versa so far no problems i been following my maintenance schedule and i think I might be able to put 100,00 more on it

[@MichaelWebber]

Sweetcraft 557 did you ever change the CVT fluid?

[@vickied8815]

I'M LOVING IT!!!!!!!!!

[@MikeBMW]

Seems like a very good bargain car given the amenities and tech (if only it had Apple CarPlay). Well done! Also, 19 degrees Fahrenheit? You're a trooper for getting us this review! :)

[@madisonblanton2651]

Hi Mike it does have Apple play when you plug in your iPhone through usb.

[@oscardelta1257]

Just bought one of the 2020 SV trim models, blue with the white roof

[@RookieRider93]

Great detailed review as alwayThanks for the great review! Detailed as always. Two questions - 1. Any reason you prefer Enterprise vs. other places? 2. Does this car have Android Auto/CarPlay? Cheers.

[@disneyfan9099]

Tejasvi Vutukuru In my opinion Enterprise and National car rental are pretty great. Hertz honestly sucks in so many ways and Avis/Budget car be hit or miss.

[@MikeBMW]

@@disneyfan9099 I dunno, I've had great experiences with my local Hertz (North Central Florida). Maybe a regional thing?

[@RookieRider93]

@@disneyfan9099 Agreed. I always use Enterprise. Very friendly, good fleet and on the weekends, they literally give away free upgrades without even asking. Was just curious if he has any corporate tie-up/business account with Enterprise.

[@disneyfan9099]

Tejasvi Vutukuru Well Free upgrade with Enterprise are very common. Enterprise never usually turns off bookings on there websites so enterprises goal is to rent as many cars as they can even though they have to give free upgrades

[@oscardelta1257]

Only the SV and SR trim packages come standard with apple play and android play the S trim package doesn't

[@ericgarcia8769]

If u think that sounds wimpy u should hear the horn when i push panic on the 2017 sentra sv🤣

[@alea6405]

I’m a college studying, I’ve been saving up for 2 years now to buy a car and I LOVE the Kicks but I wasn’t sure if I should go with the SV or the SR. SV looks perfect for me even though the SR looks fancierrr!

[@Ear4]

im saving/looking for my first car did you get the sv or the sr? i kinda want the fancy bird eye veiw camera, do you think its worth it?

[@jello1702]

My mom drives that car and my dad loves it

[@dforrest4503]

What you call a simple screen has so many settings compared to my 2012 vehicle.

[@brianheard4565]

Nice, calm, balanced review. Thank you! I'm in Thailand and in the market for a HCR, a HRV, or this Kicks. 😀

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

What the heck is a HCR?

[@dillonh321]

@@AKZbinChannelwithNoName He means CHR

[@adrianhorn9000]

Great review im considering trading in my 2010 Outlander in for one wish it had awd

[@aabrantes1999]

Can you measure interior noise (road + wind noise) objectively next time? There is an android app for that. It would be nice to compare this to other similar cars in this segment. Great video overall.

[@Guide-Tu]

Very impressive review!!!

[@pedrofernandez3893]

I don't even have a privacy screen on my Yaris and I have never missed it at all.

[@Megadave4life]

You’re lucky for twenty hour work week now as well lol

[@mustafanaji6591]

GOOD REVIEW & GREAT CAR.

[@jamesure2445]

I may have missed it on your review, does the Kicks.have an electric tailgate, and a heated front windscreen and heated front seats.Really enjoyed watching my first review via yourself, and will look forward to others, presented by yourself. Have you covered a review, of the Qashqai 1.3.accenta premium 1.60.hp.20.20 model.Thanks in advance.👍🇬🇧

[@dillonh321]

No. That vehicle that you mentioned, we don't get it in North America.

[@christiangarcia9307]

One of my favorites. 🙂👍

[@HarvinderSandhuEsq]

Hope + seems like Nissan is getting better

[@CJSPENO]

My new 2019 Kicks is just ok... I wanted an Accord but this is real easy car to get a kid in and out of. The horsepower kinda stinks but the gas consumption is good. The cruise control buttons are Way too Small for me!

[@mhbbej1]

Make sure you use those points. You do not want Enterprise to smoke you.

[@emeritaagustin9993]

Hi trying to connect milewise device into my nissan kicks. Cannot find place to plug. Thanks!

[@UncleBuckle50]

Get well soon

Hi can you tell me how it handle our winters ? Is it a good winter car?

[@morna45]

One BIG thing wrong with this car. What the hell is the deal with portable CD players with bluetooth that cost over $200? I want a portable, affordable CD player to fit into this model. You car manufacturers that eliminated the CD players? YOU SUCK!!!!! Bring back the feature that works for so many of us.

[@nodak81]

Add another 30 horsepower and a 6-speed automatic and I'd be interested.

[@disneyfan9099]

David Malinovsky Yeah but getting on the highway can get you killed lol

[@oscardelta1257]

@@disneyfan9099 I dunno, we have a 2020 SV trim package model we get on the hwy routinely and we are still alive, maybe learn how to drive?

[@mcglover78]

Add another 20hp I'm good!

[@dillonh321]

@@disneyfan9099 No. You just need to learn how to push the gas.

[@eunoia1016]

How does it do in the snow with just FWD, and being liteweight?

[@buildmorefarms1007]

You didnt mention the nice little cubby storage area left and below on dash!! Above the release handles!

[@100RentalCars]

Sorry about that. I'll try and include it next time around. Anything else you noticed that I missed?

[@buildmorefarms1007]

@@100RentalCars No, you were very thorough, thank you.

[@danielmclean6554]

I have the 2019 s. even that has a ton of standard equipment and storage. The fuel mileage, comfort and ride totally exceeds the price. We bought it as a second car. We love it.

[@giovannia.gonzalez2403]

Don't forget the sport mode. You have to press the button on gear shift. Right in the middle at the back 😁 and I do own the 2018 Nissan kicks S. So comfortable, smooth, good size height (I'm 6'2" btw 😆).

[@bradyakubovic2550]

I really like the Kicks, looks good to me. Would be worried about the CVT over the long haul though. Hopefully they’ve made them more robust.

[@v10moped]

Nissan is on their 4th generation CVT. CVT problems are yesterday's news.

[@patricktravelandcarvlogs680]

I almost rented one of these from the National emerald aisle at the Atlanta hartsfield jackson airport instead i ended up with a Chevrolet Impala

[@josemanuel5749]

Good looking car, to bad is super unstable in the moose test.

[@aydenreese9536]

What rental brand do you use

[@v10moped]

"Rubber band feel", "droning noise", "CVT is blah blah" - Nissan haters are all sheeple who say they same thing. They can't think for themselves

[@Sonicchuy17]

How do you start the car ? All I saw was you pushing the button and turn on the car. But not the engine.

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

You don’t. It’s a Nissan TrashBox. Become a millionaire and buy a Nissan Murano forever

[@XanMan_05]

The Kicks is one of 3 subcompact crossovers by Nissan. Juke (Which is coming back), Kicks, Qashqai (Rouge Sport). I honestly don’t understand the need for 3 different subcompact crossovers. Another of many poor decisions by Nissan. Also, I would never ever buy a Nissan. Not only because of the CVT but because of their awful quality and reliability.

[@webbie1891]

That's the new trend now. People are buying crossover and SUVs rather than sedans so manufacturers are making them like hotcakes

[@XanMan_05]

Webster Kollie but 3 from one manufacturer is a bit excessive don’t you think? It’s like they are competing with each other.

[@pedrofernandez3893]

A "small" group of people don't like Nissan CVT's? I love your videos , but I don't agree with that statement. I would never ever buy a Nissan product because of their CVT

[@disneyfan9099]

pedro fernandez I honestly like the CVT

[@chrism7966]

@@disneyfan9099 😅

[@derekberry1399]

Yeah I don't know anyone who likes jatco transmissions. Their known for going at 60k miles.

[@disneyfan9099]

Chris M It’s not terrible

[@v10moped]

Sorry CVT is here to stay. Other car manufacturers have them, too, in case you didn't know

[@sumisherpa]

Does it run on ice

[@jeepguy95]

Great little vehicle, but underpowered. Also needs to offer AWD.

[@user-nu3el2mo2w]

Is it AWD?

[@panoscoach310]

Looks good but....a rebadged Renault with a CVT. A living nightmare after the first 6 months. Don't be trapped in the corner.

[@candy5742]

This sucks compared to the juke// plus what trim is this?

[@100RentalCars]

It's the SV trim level. I included all the specs in the description of you're interested.

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Push button start is a deal breaker for me I would be right out the door but I would let the salesman know why I am leaving.Young people are ruining the car industry with their ideas. Just more to go wrong. Cant believe people are that damn lazy they can't turn a key.

[@user-td4th8dg7q]

フロントグリル要改良

[@nickpatterson492]

IT WOULD WAY TOO SMALL FOR ME NEED SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT BIGGER PLUS IT LOOKS LIKE A BOX CAR

[@dalegribble3684]

If only it was AWD....

[@oscardelta1257]

There are plenty of AWD crossover and standard SUV's, one of the reasons the Kicks is so reasonably priced is because its NOT AWD. Plan on paying about $5K more for an AWD crossover/SUV, unless you plan on going off road or live in the northwest or north eastern part of the country AWD isn't necessary and even then a good set of snow tires will be just as good

[@jpgamingxz]

Looks the same as the 2019

[@100RentalCars]

I know, right?

[@isackpintor8414]

I hate the CVT transmissions. I don’t know why would Nissan come up with such peace of garbage. I had a rougue and a sentra both with CVTs and had to sell them before spending thousands of dollars repairing the transmissions. Word of advise, Do not buy Nissan vehicles with CVT transmissions!

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

5 stars? That's ridiculous. This is a cheaply built pos, a bigger version of it with different looks and name (Renault / Dacia Duster) is sold in other markets for ~$12k, this is worse in some ways and costs 5k more only bc americans blindly throw tons of money at everything marketed as "SUV / Crossover"

[@disneyfan9099]

Mgoblagulkablong This is a good deal. It has a lot of features for the money. Most cars are POS

[@johnnymichael1804]

This guy has no idea what he's blabbering on about....

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

@@disneyfan9099 Nonsense. Just take a look at what compact cars you can get for the same $.

[@disneyfan9099]

Mgoblagulkablong Yeah but why not get this? That’s stupid to get a tiny compact car lever this? Compact cars are built just as cheap

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

@@disneyfan9099 You make zero sense. Compact cars are the same size. The Kicks is based on a subcompact, the only thing bigger is the body. It's built as cheap as a subcompact, one level below a compact.

[@a.lumberjack4456]

All CVTs are garbage. Even though I love Nissan, their CVTs are terrible.

[@johnnymichael1804]

Small, but very vocal? How about large but vocal? Your reviews are a snoozefest and you have no idea what you're talking about. 🤣🤣🤣

[@jeffuclyptis771]

Somebody pissed in your cheerios today boss?

[@johnnymichael1804]

@@jeffuclyptis771 yeah, your wife

[@jeffuclyptis771]

@@johnnymichael1804 I dont have a wife; old man!

[@johnnymichael1804]

@@jeffuclyptis771 ok zoomer

[@disneyfan9099]

Johnny Michael Old guy here apparently

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

Nissan TrashBox.