2023 Nissan Kicks SR: Surprising and Affordable

Nissan has been steadily giving their entire lineup a refresh, starting with the Kicks and the larger Armada SUV for the 2021 model year. This 2023 SR model is the top trim and comes with many niceties at an affordable price point.
The story that did not get told on camera with our time in this vehicle is all of the weather and life situations it got us through. By the time we filmed both reviews, we had seen rain. LOTS of rain. This Kicks was able to navigate torrential downpours on Houston highways just fine. Being a front-wheel drive with a continuously variable transmission, we would have liked to see a little more power or an actual geared transmission, but it held its own given the driving conditions. Nissan has been slowly replacing the CVT in models with a 9-speed automatic in their other vehicles, but have kept the CVT in the Kicks.
After the videos were filmed and edited, we had a winter storm, Texas-style. We do not really get blizzards, we get ice. Freezing rain covered everything and refroze causing road closures. Trees were covered in ice causing branches to snap and fall causing power outages. We loaded this Kicks up with the whole family and all our perishable items from the fridge and headed to stay with family who still had power. The Kicks was able to handle all our luggage and food without a problem, though we did have to play a game of Tetris to fit it all in just right.
Our model had optional roof crossbars for loading luggage up top if you need more space than the 25.3 cubic feet of space behind the back seats or 53.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded, you could load stuff up top. It did however cut into our observed fuel economy. The EPA estimates on the window sticker show 31 mpg city and 36 mpg on the highway. We observed 31 in our mostly highway miles going to and from Houston. I will say, Texas speed limits are 75 mph on that route, and that too could cut into the fuel economy numbers as well.
The interior was comfortable for the over 600 miles we put on this vehicle over the two weeks that we had it. The 2-stage heated Prima-Tex® seats kept us warm and were very comfortable along the long trek. The two-tone with contrasting stitching added an additional flare we enjoyed. Infotainment comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an 8-inch color touchscreen that was easy to use and snappy in its response.
We ended up having this crossover for just under two full weeks and were pleased all the way around. No, it is not the most luxurious, powerful, or flashy vehicle, but at $27,915 as this one was optioned, it did not break the bank either and still had almost all the options we wanted.
2023 Nissan Kicks SR Specs:
* 1.6L 4-cylinder Engine
* 122 Horsepower
* 114 lb.-ft. of Torque
* Nissan's Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission
* Front-Wheel Drive
* Independent Strut Front Suspension with Coil Springs
* Twist Beam Rear Suspension
* 17-inch 205/55R17 All-season Tires
* 17-inch Black Alloy Wheels
* Heated Manually-adjustable Front Seats
* Two-tone Prima-Tex® Seats with Contrasting Orange Stitching
* Heated Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel
* Adaptive Cruise Control
* 8-inch Color Touchscreen Infotainment
* Bose Audio with 8 Speakers including Driver's Headrest
* 7-inch Advanced Drive Assist Display Screen for Driver
* Analog Speedometer
* Single-zone Automatic Climate Control
* Optional Roof Crossrails
* Proximity Key with Push Button Start
* EPA Fuel Economy 31/36/33 (city/hwy/cmb)
* Starting Price: $20,290
* Price as tested: $27,915
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[@karlaguzman434]

I loved my 2019 Kicks. The visor was a win for me, since I'm short 😅 It is also quite safe, it held up nicely when I had an accident. The other car was destroyed basically. Mine got totaled tho, but it kept me safe. Will definitely get a new one ❤

[@GTGarageTalk]

Glad you are ok. Speaks highly of the vehicle.

[@terrylaitw840]

Thoughts on the 122HP and 114 torque? My concern is that it would not have enough power on high ways, passing cars, and climbing hills. I wish the HP can be around 150

[@richardnone5644]

i got the car in Feb. and its fantastic 32.7 city for 2 months i do very little highway over all great car i have the SR and i would suggest it because its not much more money but lots of extras

[@GTGarageTalk]

Glad you enjoy it!!!

[@Viki_R_1]

There is a hidden sport mode on these - even the base "S" model! On the shift, at the base of the knob, a small button with a line on it that is supposed to give you some extra oomph if you need it. I live in a small town and don't travel, so I haven't needed it yet, and can't say how much it helps. I just scored a 2020 Kicks S, downsizing from a Pontiac G6 I drove for 13 years, and it's a very awesome little car. Super weird adjusting to the CVT, but I think I'm getting it. 😉 (I'm used to coasting, and it doesn't coast.)

[@GTGarageTalk]

Thanks for sharing. We’ve noticed the coasting issue too in other CVTs

[@clayb.6077]

I got a 2022 kicks sv in april.22 i love it. My best mpg is 49.1 i average 37-39 on the highway .i think its a good value , its conomical , and nimble driving around and comfortable on long drives like 600 miles .

[@GTGarageTalk]

That’s impressive fuel economy!!!

[@Jan96106]

The comparable car to the SR is the Hyundai Venue Limited. I looked at both. The Venue also has comparable versions to the S and SV Kicks. The Kicks has a more-sporty exterior than the Venue. I did not get a chance to drive the Venue. These cars, by the way, are attractive to young women and to senior citizens.

[@GTGarageTalk]

We tested them together a couple of years ago.

[@GTGarageTalk]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f53Rk4CkhZ2gq9E

[@christheemperor7265]

We seniors love young women

[@moeanthony9308]

@@christheemperor7265 too late

[@DavidWilliams-gn1sn]

I got one for my mom she loves it

[@GTGarageTalk]

👍🏼

[@jumpapogo]

the tec odometer you scroll the other way yes it does have one

[@GTGarageTalk]

👍🏼 thanks.

[@kmckenzie2461]

On the base S trim all those blank buttons on that panel are filled with things like, lane departure warning button, parking sensor button, blind spot warning button, forward collision button, traction/stability control button, and then the trip computer screen. The base S has 2 analog gauges, 1 for the speedometer and 1 for the tachometer and a small screen in the center. On the mid trim SV there is nothing in this spot and it is actually a small storage pocket. The is because on the mid trim SV and top trim SR all those features that have buttons on the base trim S are digital and moved into the upgraded 7 inch gauge cluster screen and are controlled with the steering wheel buttons. Then on the top trim SR I guess there was no where else to place the heated steering wheel button so they put the panel back in and used only that 1 button for the heated steering wheel and all other buttons are left blank as again all the safety features and other buttons like things like the lane departure warning button, parking sensor button, blind spot warning button, forward collision button, traction/stability control button and then the trip computer button are all digital and moved into the upgraded 7 inch gauge cluster screen on the mid trim SV and top trim SR.

[@GTGarageTalk]

Thank you for sharing.

[@SmellerBee]

I'm deciding between the mid-level trim for both the 2023 Kicks and 2023 Venue. Do I need to be worried about the Kicks' engine reliability? There are a lot of online complaints and I am looking for something reliable for everyday use. Any other recommendations between the two? I watched the old comparison on your channel and that leaned towards the Venue, has that changed?

[@GTGarageTalk]

Honestly, the Venue would be my choice. Better warranty too

[@adamdean5881]

I have had a 2022 Venue SEL since fall of 2021. 32000 miles and two snowy Pennsylvania winters later I've had no problems beyond my wife hitting a deer with it 😅

[@Demoxx1]

Cant go wrong with either. They are simple cars so reliability wont be an issue and they dont cost much to run

[@lovingcars1144]

Why nissan still persists with its cvt transmissions even though they know that they are prone to failure still buffles me

[@GTGarageTalk]

R&D has already been spent.

[@ubangiestomp]

if the SR trim had a 150ish HP option paired to a 6 speed manual trans. Then I would want one..

[@GTGarageTalk]

That would be fun.

[@terrylaitw840]

Agreed, 122HP is too low. :(

[@jenomartin3395]

is this capable of driving in snowy states like Colorado? hope someone will answer as I am eyeing on this one. thank you.

[@GTGarageTalk]

We will let other owners answer. Thanks for watching.

[@dont.beknown5622]

There is a tach... scroll left and right.

[@GTGarageTalk]

👍🏼

[@robertosalvatore5802]

does it have a heated steering wheel ?

[@GTGarageTalk]

YES!

[@karenbruce2262]

Yes

[@raypoon991]

My 2020 sentra averages 35 plus mpg with a 2.0 engine. Why this has poorer mpg?

[@GTGarageTalk]

The roof rails and our poor driving conditions contributed to lower MPG