2025 Nissan Kicks Revealed with Available AWD, More Power and Tech

The Nissan Kicks is getting a serious buff for 2025, revealed ahead of the upcoming New York International Auto Show.

This is an important year for Nissan’s compact crossover. Not only does it receive some impressive styling upgrades for its next generation, along with the expected inclusion of more tech; but, the Kicks will now come standard with a more potent engine and come available, for the first time, with all-wheel drive.

Starting there, every trim level of the new Kicks can be optioned with all-wheel drive, an upgrade from the standard front-wheel drive layout. This new system should provide greater control across a variety of surfaces and conditions, though every AWD Kicks will come packed with an additional Snow driving mode should the inclement weather persist. Either drive configuration is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four engine, rated at 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. That’s a reasonable increase over the 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft conjured by the outgoing 1.6-liter four-cylinder, though power will still be channeled to the drive system through a continuously variable transmission. This is the latest generation of Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, said to be responsive and paired well with the engine’s “strong low- and mid-range torque.”

In our last Road Test of the Nissan Kicks, we didn’t find the previous powertrain to be all that potent– not a total slog, as our results weren’t terrible given the segment, but they did leave something to be desired. Here’s hoping this new engine and available all-wheel drive will wake things up.

What did force our eyes wide open was the Kicks’ new digs. While aesthetics are certainly a subjective game, we imagine most street-side bystanders would agree that the new Kicks is more attractive if one were to pass through the intersection they were waiting to cross. The design is bolder, pulling a bit more from some of Nissan’s recent design language (see: the Nissan Versa). The grille is comprised of stronger horizontal lines blended on the edged with LED daytime running lights. The rear sees a small roof spoiler and full-width taillights, wrapping around the rear fenders. Growth is incremental, but the 2025 Kicks is longer and wider. Specifically, 171.9 inches long and 70.9 inches wide on a varying wheelbase: 104.6 inches long on front-wheel drive and 104.9 inches on all-wheel drive models. That’s compared to the outgoing’s 103-inch wheelbase carrying a body that was 169 inches long and 69 inches wide.

That growth translates into additional room for cargo and passengers alike. For example, Nissan claims an additional inch of second-row legroom and 1.5 inches of shoulder room. With both rows folded up, total cargo capacity is now 30 cubic-feet, doubled to 60 cubes with that second row folded.

Another area of growth is in screen size. While a 7-inch touchscreen is standard on the S trim, the SV and SR receive a 12.3-inch unit as standard. Both the S and SV utilize a 7-inch digital instrument panel, while the SR receives another 12.3-inch unit to match the larger infotainment offering. The SR also brings in touch-capacitive switches for climate control functions. Regardless of trim, all Kicks are outfitted with Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” seating in both rows, said to better distribute weight and pressure for more comfort and reduced fatigue.

That greater sense of comfort is bolstered by Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite of safety and driver convenience features. Things like automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alerts, lane departure warnings and high beam assist are all standard, though stepping up to the SR will add ProPilot Assist for the first time on the Kicks, incorporating steering assistance for staying centered on the highway.

So, there you have it. The 2025 Nissan Kicks is set to arrive at dealerships this summer. Unlike yesterday’s reveal of the 2025 Infiniti QX80, full pricing details are yet to be unveiled. We’ll have confirmation once we’re closer to the launch date.