2019 / 2020 Nissan Kicks | The Un-Pumped CUV

After a very short 2018 model year, the Kicks continues on for 2019 with no changes other than a modest price bump. Despite the price increase, the Kicks is still quite simply the best deal in this segment... As long as you don't need AWD, because Nissan doesn't offer that feature on their smallest CUV. This isn't likely to be too much of an issue of course since most shoppers in the subcompact CUV segment eschew AWD in favor of higher fuel economy. If you're looking for the most dynamic CUV, this isn't it. If you're looking for the most luxurious CUV, this isn't that either. But, if you're looking for one of the most efficient crossovers and one of the best new car values, the Kicks delivers on both fronts.
0-30: 3.5 seconds
0-60: 9.7 seconds
60-0: 125 feet
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[@TheBluejhay]

Got Kicks last week.. it serves its purpose and I love it!!

[@Gpk2100]

Gary Liu how is it ? Still a nice car I’m thinking to buy the basic model tomorrow

[@superblessed8186]

@@Gpk2100 do you have it now....

[@superblessed8186]

Dude is that you in tha picture...of your channel

[@darinbobby6033]

Yo how do you turn on the sport mode?

[@henryangon3501]

Can the car use Ethonal gas?

[@NilsNormann]

There is a mouse in the engine bay at 4:05 !

[@LouAntonioGiordano]

Yea they love chewing on them wires.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

LOL Well spotted! He's our new cameraman, he works for peanuts...

[@chiluco2000]

Wow, RIP harness cables!

[@Deez_Nutts974]

😂

[@ibmtpx24]

@@AAutoBuyersGuide Would be nice to know the material of the wiring - some cars use soy based material which attract rodents.

[@stevee.2183]

I grew up in New England, my parents grew up in New England, they taught me that snow tires are all you need in 95% of scenarios. We never had an AWD car and were completely fine. I had a 2010 Honda Fit with snow tires, used to work a clinical hospital job that req. me to get to work no matter the conditions. With no traction control on the base trim and a stick shift I had great control on the roads. I think AWD has its benefits but, for people who want to keep their cars till they die, AWD isn’t worth the extra money up front and down the road when you have to fix it (due to more moving parts than a 2WD). Love Alex and Autos! I recommend you guys to anyone I know who is shopping for a car. Between you and Consumer Reports, you can’t make a bad choice. Thank you!

[@nodak81]

Yeah, but simply buying a car with AWD means I don't have to come up with $800 cash for a set of snow tires and wheels. Also means I don't have to store them somewhere in the summer. AWD also means much better resale value in New England.

[@fundiver198]

@Nodak81 AWD is not a replacement for winter tires at all, since it does not aid in steering or breaking the car. Driwing in snow without winter tires is positively dangerous and simply illegal in several countries in Northern Europe.

[@jocelynkorpaczewski2093]

Yeah I’m in Maine and front wheel drive is the way to go bc you’ll lose control way easier in AWD as soon as snow starts sticking

[@coddiwomple9510]

I live in a very cold and snowy part of North America and I can say that tires are absolutely the most important component in winter driving. AWD is not a necessity and a false sense of security. AWD will not help you if you don't have traction to the road. I drive a old Toyota Corolla and it does fine with good tires. I can zip past AWD SUVs with bad tires and see the confusion on their faces is priceless.

[@noroar3258]

@@nodak81 wrong

[@garyspringer5064]

Had the Kicks for a week now. Fantastic vehicle, no complaints, plenty of power and comfort.👍 Great gas mileage. By the way, there is a sport mode button on the shifter, which gives you extra POWER to pass!!! This was neglected to be mentioned, even my sales person didn't know of it until I showed him. Vehicle has plenty of power for day to day use. It was not designed or made to be fast!

[@goclunker]

Gary Springer are you 80?

[@garyspringer5064]

@@goclunker No but that is a real constructive reply ???

[@kevinschreiber3039]

Same scenario, same conclusion. Had ours for a week now. Great affordable car with a larger cabin interior than you might expect in a car this size. Excellent seats, very comfortable. Very pleased with this decision.

[@goclunker]

@@kevinschreiber3039 My condolences for not knowing better. Wait til that CVT explodes.

[@ev_green_]

so what does that button do exactly? looking into buying my first car

[@nova9403]

A Kia Soul would have a hamster as a bonus in the engine bay ;)

[@tomjanowski8584]

I live in Rochester NY and we get a lot of snow. I have never had nor have I ever felt the need for all wheel drive. Front wheel drive plus good driving skills is more than enough for me to make it through our long, snowy and icy winters. A commute to or from work on a snowy day reveals one surprising fact...most of the vehicles off the road and in the ditches are all wheel drive. Hmmm...

[@mhtl48]

Groupie haters in full force! I read some of the comments and they are juvenile and very immature. This car will serve it's purpose well and will make Nissan a lot of money!

[@goclunker]

mhtl48 doesn't make it any less of a pile of bile, for Nissan who have lost their way.

[@senatabazi1658]

ALEX THERES A MOUSE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE AT 4:05 LMAO

[@09123506394]

@Mario Lopez OMG that was very good !

[@michaelpinedo8597]

Great Review Alex, I have owned my Nissan Kicks SV for a little over six months. I purchased this vehicle for its overall practicality Low price, spacious interior, superb mpg’s for its segment, decent ground clearance, spacious trunk, very nice interior for its price, many standard both safety and technological features. Performance wise it is decent for a family good breaking, handles good, sport mode makes the transmission more torquey in city driving and makes the CVT feel like a traditional automatic which is good. Based on my experiences cons would be road noise, alarm system and tranny lacking launch power in city or uphills it slips a lot to gain acceleration. Always drive and check all the details about any car before purchasing good lucks guys.

[@c.e.b.underpar1746]

I use it for Lyft and as a courier, and so far people love it and I can put WAY more courier stuff in it compared to my Versa Note hatchback.

[@garyspringer5064]

There is a button on the shifter to downshift for extra power, on my 2019 Kicks, try it.

[@Eric_the_Hiking]

4:14 The rated power dropped by 3 HP because some of the mice have escaped.

[@stupid8911]

I thought you were being cheeky! Oh my word, how funny. I hope it scurried away before the drive.

[@phuot1]

You guys are sharp. I had to go back to see the mouse. I though it was a joke. Know for the car: cute looking and that's it!

[@TheHuskyK9]

Very nice and informative video. I want an affordable compact crossover that can get me from point A to point B, handles well, and with good fuel economy. I don't care about how fast it is, how big the engine is, or AWD. The Kicks is perfect for me

[@goclunker]

TheHuskyK9 get some personality. Are you 300lbs?

[@flickering_wick]

You did an incredible job with this video! Very detailed and I appreciate all the comparisons with other vehicles. Thanks!

[@phatcowboy76]

I think everyone has now seen the mouse at 4:05. Several comments have been made already.

[@phatcowboy76]

And again at 4:16. :0)

[@SkyCastlesJan22]

ahahahahhahahah

[@MattBramer]

Alex, your video are so awesome. So detailed and such a high quality. Excellent work sir!

[@Grimexperience62]

Most complete comprehensive reviewer out there.

[@ast5515]

Pumped up Kicks... I see what you did there.

[@mrrod805]

I'ma go to school strapped

[@mountainhobo]

Nissan has mastered the 'meh' niche.

[@mark_r49]

You have mastered the “meh’ comment!

[@SunburnedNomad]

Excellent, thorough review man. Good job.

[@yeon723]

dont know why people are trying to be all edgy by making fun of a car they haven't ever driven. It's an awesome car, try it.

[@marianogonzalez9867]

Day 6 with the 2019 KICKS S. Quite an upgrade from the 2014 Nissan Versa Note I traded in. A great car. Love it!

[@fundiver198]

Its funny, how much hate this can generate on KZbin from people completely out of touch with reality. The 1,6 liter NA engine is adequate for the job, and a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic does not come with AWD either, so why should this? Nobody really need AWD in a vehicle, which is obviously for the road. What a lot of people need all over the world is a safe, comfortable, reliable and affordable vehicle to take them to their job, bring the kids to school and do the groceries. And many like the slightly elevated seating position of a vehicle like this, because it makes it easier to fit a child seat, and it gives a better view of the road ahead.

[@HLMAX]

I have never seen such disdain for a compact urban commuter car. Just rubs me the wrong way. Whats wrong with options? Somehow many feel threatened by this vehicle. Here are my theories: 1. Pissing on inexpensive urban compact cars make their knob feel larger, or justify the car they drive. 2. Trying to compare their imaginary sports cars in the game console to real cars. 3. Hate their everyday boring life and want to be a KZbinr, given fancy sports cars to drive down picturesque winding canyon roads with wind in their hair.

[@evolutionj]

The main thing is that it's grossly under powered. I can see these cars merging dangerously slow on to highways. AWD is important for folks that live up north that get a lot of snow. AWD vs FWD on snow is a big difference.

[@thundergato84]

But this CUV still uses Nissan's unreliable JATCO CVT's.

[@goclunker]

fundiver198 unless you're a 300lb whale, which you totally are, why would you want a tall pile of crap? So your fat ass can squeeze in?

[@porkfat8109]

FWD is more capable in the snow than many people seem to realize. Tires make all the difference, they put smoother riding all seasons on new cars, so when you test drive, you buy. But today many people think they need an SUV " just in case of snow " I have an old Camry, I can't tell you how many SUV's I pass who have pulled over waiting to be rescued every winter. Sane your money, just buy good tires. And if it's snowing that bad, you shouldn't be out there anyway....wait till plows do what you are paying them for.

[@malcolmar]

I love the fact that entry level, new cars like this are offering more style for the price. Not everyone wants to buy used and having a bumper to bumper warranty is a very good thing. I can see the appeal of the Kicks but I am more than happy with my Toyota C-HR. More choices means a big win for consumers.

[@senturion417]

I got mine last week love it

[@TheHelghast1138]

Excellent vehicle. Excellent review. Thank you! Also...nice optional mouse!

[@TheAnaleishablahblah]

The guy at the dealership didnt know jack about this car when I asked him about it. Very informative video! It'a not a sports car but gets me from point A to B. Everyone who's been inside my car has liked it. And i like that my 2018 SV has sports mode on it for when I'm on the expressway with all the lead foots! Edit** and the fact that i dont have to pump gas every week for me is a win! I forget when the last time I pumped was very often lol! If i decide to upgrade cars I'm handing this down to my little sister!

[@melmar07]

Got a deep blue kicks SR two days ago. I love it.

[@joeychitwood6004]

I got your "pumped up kicks" reference!

[@teenyverse7707]

LOL... your intro is so nostalgic. Reminds of soo many old show.

[@sa7375]

Thanks for a very incisive review that was also very well presented.

[@dugeish]

Alex this was a terrific review, thank you. Doug in Canada p.s. I have had numerous four wheel drive vehicles starting with a 1960 Land Rover and ending with a 2005 Four Runner. In my later years I am convinced that a good set of winter tires and a good driver (with good judgement) is all that is necessary for for the vast majority of conditions. I'm tired of buying gas.

[@charlesmilbourn6861]

Holy crap... You know a lot about cars... Great review... I noticed on a different review... When you take the removable hatch cover off...it has a holder flat on the back of the back seats. I'm getting the sr in December... Thanks...

[@Luvit52]

Thank you so much for this information..Truly has helped me make a decision

[@JV-vy8ke]

Great comparison review! Thanks.

[@kingjava7468]

I bought 2019 Kicks SV model to replace my old Sentra. I love it.

[@evanyoung2919]

Do you have enough cup holders?

[@recreateyourworld4278]

brilliant review, thank you

[@charlesmilbourn6861]

Interesting... I look at a lot of sr videos.. And your the only one that's telling everyone there's a sport mode. And where it at... Lol Nice review.. ... ✌...

[@buildmorefarms1007]

For the money, this thing is well equipped!

[@ellevanroamer487]

Thanks Alex, getting one on Friday. I was thinking of getting a Rogue but am a tightwad! Lol.

[@mustafanajeeb7859]

Good review & perfect Nissan.

[@Blessedmatt23]

Good job Alex! 😉

[@sajadrezakhani8117]

Thanks for the very comprehensive reviews. Please also review the Mitsubishi SUVs

[@Jacob-nn7hv]

"Slicing the sausage a little bit more finely" never heard that before. Lol

[@charlesleerayrt8814]

Just bought one and I highly recommend it guys affordable and safe, great feel when driving

[@smileycakes9593]

Is it slow??

[@d4roydavid]

The engine is so tiny that there is enough space for mouse to roam around at 4:05 🤣🤣🤣

[@haydn-db8z]

So much for the Eternal Jewk. :( :( I will miss it. I didn't like it at first, but quickly grew to appreciate its aesthetics.

[@Raymond-oq9od]

this is a very good review

[@whisperwithwingschannel]

i got mine last week and i love it to use my sport mode Unless you are really driving around or accelerating, driving in sport mode all the time sometimes gives you too much engine brake and it is just like a kind of impeding your drive. Besides in reality, Sport Mode just makes your electricity steering a bit heavier..great value and great car...

[@xanth987]

I prefer my mutant looking Juke to this. I wish my Juke had some of the toys this Kicks has but I will keep my turbo Awd. Sides the juke matches my personality. Later I will move to the RAV4 now that the adventure trim has emerged

[@BigGirthyRod]

All the other kids with the pumped up kicks, better run, better run, outrun my gun.

[@paulo1manso]

11:24 That's when the mouse gets fried.

[@weedmastersr]

This is a subcompact here in Europe was well but the Qashqai (what you call Rogue Sport) is the compact.

[@9940r024]

No need for all wheel drive in snow. I’ve had front wheel drive for many years and have never been stuck !

[@Candid1ify]

Good set of Snow Tires will last two seasons, awd more moving parts, more parts to break, more cost for repairs, Sides in Nova Scotia front wheel drive works fine in the winter More worried about the cvt then winter

[@apache-yaquibrown4060]

We all know about the mouse 🐀🐁, but that explains what happened to my Versa, must have attracted a mouse that then died in my vents, still trying to get the odor out. Why not a 5 speed stick, they make it for other markets out of the same plant? Love my Versa for the room, comfort, and fuel economy, but that CVT is junk, has failed twice, and I am a 120 mile highway round trip person twice a month. Great review Alex.

[@vitopetris6861]

I found rat on my engine cover of my firm car after it wasn't driven for some time, but no damage was done whatsoever. :) It was big cover on Volkswagen Caddy so I guess he wasn't able to go deeper.

[@chrismorales2128]

I’m so late but I just watched this and caught that mouse 😂😂😂😂 that’s hilarious

[@trstfsrg8244]

How tall are you? Just wondering because I have a pretty tall group of friends. We’re all about 6’2-6’6 and I was hooked on this car until I saw the head space

[@karlo9535]

Its always fun to drive a slow car fast!

[@mustafanaji6591]

GREAT KICKS.

[@saltykrug]

I'm considering getting one of these because my job requires me to work out of town fairly often. Trips back home and to work means lots of gas and miles. I currently drive a 2007 GMC Yukon, love it but, the gas! I have to test drive because I'm wondering how they feel as far as build and cabin room. I'm only 5'4" so I don't need all of the room in the Yukon.

[@Ridingforsanity]

Great point Alex, Any car with snow tires is going perform better than AWD with all season in winter conditions”. I don’t think enough people understand this there 2 great articles I read on this featured in Outside Magazine that explained why and the history of snow tire development.

[@fundiver198]

In several european countries its not even legal to drive in winter conditions without winter tires. Yeah its a hassle and cost to have two sets of wheels and tires, but 4WD does not make a vehicle any safer in winter conditions, so its not a substitute for proper tires.

[@urband10]

It's weird that the US version doesnt have a full size spare wheel, in Mexico does.

[@gabrielrogers5271]

Love your thorough reviews but the kicks is a car that’s been in Brazil for years I don’t really care for it ! I would get a chr

[@brianheard4565]

Unfortunately you don't appear to get the Kicks ePower in the US? Here in Thailand we get that, and only that in the Kicks range. So, I test drove one and it is of course a total electric drive. Plant the foot and the go is instantaneous. Luv it, really fun to drive. I also drove the HRV, CHR and Corolla Cross (hybrids), CX30, as well as the MG HS - this latter being in the next size category but simillarly priced. The ePower Kicks was a way more fun drive than any of the others. A hang up I have with modern cars is the kickdown lag - computer, transmission, engine contributing. By the time the vehicle gets up and goes the gap in the traffic has long gone. Not so with the Kicks - no transmission (ePower doesn't have a transmission) or ICE in the way giving a lag, just instant electric go! This and one pedal driving makes it really stand out.

[@hazelking7239]

Always wanted.a all wheel small suv great for me

[@superblessed8186]

I like the toyota CHR but i saw one of these the other day and i was not so sure about the CHR anymore.

[@techpappee]

Why would it not be a crossover? If buy a CRV with FWD not AWD is it still a crossover? AWD doesnt make a vehicle a crossover. Is a AWD Stinger GT2 a crossover, no but it has AWD.

[@ivanlowjones]

Did Alex just drop a "Foster the People" reference at the 03:58 videomark?

[@mdeangelo2434]

Yes, and that song is dumb. The video should be banned (the song's video not this)

[@marvinenglish4547]

Witch segment would you put the rouge sport

[@lukeshoaf4640]

That mouse at 4:05 scared me...

[@CalvinHikes]

Crossover shaped vehicle.

[@diegovalverde94]

I’m the minute 4:10 there is a mouse showing to say hi. Personally I don’t like mouses, but that one was so cute and wanted to figure out on KZbin

[@leedaq7767]

that mouse is a paid actor@@@!!!!

[@directorjustin]

You know your car is old when even this has a 360 degree camera, haha.

[@nodak81]

Amazes me how small the price difference is between the lowest and highest trim levels. Annoys me that for every option I do want, there is another one that I specifically DON'T want (such as automatic climate control). I'd probably just buy a base trim for that reason.

[@jy1240]

Alex looks huge next to that car

[@Static1011]

And I thought the Qashkai was a small crossover below the rogue, this is literally a small lifted hatchback, a mini crossover

[@sanjaysingha4261]

Yeah he is right I hv been also observe there's a mouse in engine bay 4:08--4:13

[@noonesbusiness959]

Not sure if anyone else has seen the mouse at 4:05 but in case you haven't check it out. You're welcome my minions😋

[@DeadofWinter321]

This looks really good. Both the interior and exterior. Good job Nissan! Now fix your garbage CVTs so they don’t go out under 100k at least.

[@apache-yaquibrown4060]

DeadofWinter321 my Nissan CVT failed at 40k, my driving mostly hwy constant speed.

[@moviesmetalmusicmotorvehic4828]

@@apache-yaquibrown4060 Miserable! And people still defend these transmissions... -_-

[@v10moped]

Nissan is already on 4th generation CVT. CVT problems are yesterday's news. Try to keep up up.

[@felipemoraesdefreitas7769]

Is this car good in the snow?

[@colderbeer]

To all of the haters of the Kicks : Name all of the other NEW CARS that give you "more car" for 22 grand including tax and tags?? Not saying I love the Kicks, but I see a good value with VERY average performance combined with decent style and decent fuel economy.

[@jgirtman012]

22k doesn't mean shit when you will be spending almost as much maintaining it.

[@7477238]

@@jgirtman012 Wow you're ignorance is really showing. You mean to tell me it will cost $22 grand to maintain and fix it? Are you dumb? Ask any Versa owner (because this is based off the Versa both from the chassis and motor) if they spent $22 grand maintaining it... Probably not.

[@thundergato84]

Good luck with the Nissan JATCO CVT'S going out. They are shit transmissions.

[@Jaime7188]

Nissan should've kept the Juke. At least that car had a manual transmission, turbo engine, and personality. The kicks is just something they threw together for the sake of doing it.

[@HLMAX]

Yeah right, the Juke sells like crap in North America. Got its butt wiped by HR-V, CH-R, Soul, etc. The Juke MSRP is close to $10K over the Kicks. It's about time Nissan put some thought into what people really want. The Kicks is already taking back sales.

[@godbolin]

Juke isnt selling at all. If they keep it they will go broke. Nissan can only really depend on the mainstream to stay alive.

[@Jaime7188]

I'm sure the juke alone wouldn't make Nissan go bust. It's a sad time to be a car enthusiast. The average idiot consumer who wants a crossover will be responsible for the death of exciting cars. I don't understand why crossovers are so popular. They are heavier than normal cars, so they get worse gas milage, handle worse, and stop worse. So in order to compensate, they have to fit tiny shit engines in order to meet CAFE targets.

[@HLMAX]

@@Jaime7188 I love driving down winding canyon road a much as the next guy, but reality hits home fast. You end up stuck in traffic 99 time more than that 1 time you might be able to drive that canyon road above speed limit. I had a 300hp AWD sports sedan for 10 years. Mileage suck big time. Can't carry much in the trunk. WOT maybe about 10 times a year. Unless you are recreation racer, or showing off, it is a total waste of time and money. KZbin reviewers driving fancy sports car through picturesque winding roads, thrashing them on race courses are not realities for most folks. Bills got to be paid, chauffeur to kids, trips to Home Depot is the norm. Not very glamours, but reality.

[@Duke_Togo_G13]

Juke was ugly, and overpriced. The Kicks is at least in my affordability range. If you have a family, then you will understand the appeal of affordability.

[@treetree117]

Wanted this car, but dealer prices way higher than website, so for small increase got a camaro

[@juleswins3]

There goes the wiring!🐭🐹

[@speedfiend925]

Nissan basically took the Versa Note and raised up an inch and added some additional tech into it and changed the name. So it is more a raised up Versa Note than a Juke. Kind of a bummer for people buying a newer Versa Note cannot get the Around View Monitor in the Note anymore (my 2015 has it) but they do get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay which is nice. FYI Nissan announced it is cancelling the Versa Note after 2019.

[@mcd5082]

Hahahahaha the mouse!

[@xanth987]

I admit the juke has odd styling. It’s love hate. But if you happen to love it and change the colors of the lights interior and the high side marker lights with color change bulbs, you can give the frog an attitude change.

[@TriniGamerGirl7]

I like the Kicks but I’m sad that they won’t have Juke in the US anymore.

[@wlu8539]

Very mice car

[@swimmer5886]

This is unrelated to the Kicks, but I'm curious as to why you didn't end up buying the Stinger. I remember you saying you might buy one at the end of its review.

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

Excellent question. Mainly because the lease on our Soul EV was too expensive to break. Sigh. With this much time removed from the Stinger excitement my mind is back on practical rather than emotional lines so I suspect the Soul EV will just get replaced by a Niro EV or Nexo hydrogen CUV. How sad is that?

[@ender25ish]

i think it'd be good if you made a solid definition for crossover for your channel, i've watched a number of your videos and what you say is a crossover has changed a couple times, even calling some mid sized SUVs even by US standards a crossover. Great video as always though, thanks for the content.

[@anutaNYC]

I can't decide, Kona 2019 or Rogue Sport 2019! It's hard to find kona they say, so they try to push something else on me. Please, help!

[@thundergato84]

Nissan Rogue's have the unreliable Nissan CVT's. So go for the Kona.

[@TheHelghast1138]

I don't care what people say, for the price, this vehicle comes with a lot of a bang for your buck....and it seems to also come with a mouse :)

[@xanth987]

Ok here comes the memes. Hamsters drive a Kia Soul, Squirrels will drive the Chevy Trax, and now Mice drive the Nissan Kicks

[@hopethomas5020]

Anyone else see the mouse under the hood at 4:07 ish????!

[@Angieyoyo]

4:07 mouse inside the engine

[@xanth987]

Drop the turbo engine from the juke and the Awd system into this and eh I’d trade up. *sighs*

[@dragonlp86]

Honest question, but what is the importance of such a strong engine? I'm looking at the Kicks to replace a 18 year old car and just want something I like the look of that has good gas mileage and decent reliability. Most complaints I see are a 'weak' engine.

[@thundergato84]

I would stay away from Nissan. Their CVT'S are unreliable.

[@smileycakes9593]

Gilbert Galvan most of my family have Nissans and their cars seem to run fine. Can you tell me your experience?