Imagine a small SUV, canary yellow, parked in the heart of Place Royale in Quebec, under the admiring gaze of dozens, even hundreds, of tourists, including several foreigners. This is not a film set, but rather my discovery, and my own test, of the all-new Nissan Kicks 2025. And believe me, this model is sure to surprise.
Special collaboration, Marc Bouchard, Automotive journalist
In terms of looks, no more timidity: the Kicks 2025 is redefining itself with confidence. Its new V-shaped grille and enhanced lines give it an assertive presence, like a tough guy ready to conquer the streets. And for an SUV of this size, the effect is successful. We also kept some of the elements, notably the bright colors (no, canary yellow is not just a way of speaking) and the two-tone bodies.
Under the hood, Nissan has upped the tempo a bit with a 141-hp 2.0-liter engine, mated to a revamped CVT gearbox. The Kicks finally gets rid of its old sluggish 1.6-liter engine and gets a makeover in terms of performance. And good news for Quebecers: all-wheel drive is now available! Enough to face our winters without blinking. All that remains is to try it on poorly cleared country roads in the middle of January.
We don’t think the Kicks will take you up mountains, but the all-wheel drive increases grip, that’s obvious. It even intervenes when you drive a little dynamically, in hard turns. Thanks intelligent all-wheel drive which can transfer up to 50% of its power to the rear wheels.
The interior takes a leap in quality with modern materials and careful finishing. The two 12.3-inch screens offer a clear visual, thus joining the main competitors. For a touch of luxury, Nissan has integrated Bose speakers into the headrests of some higher-end versions. Imagine listening to Taylor Swift (or in my case, more specifically Pink Floyd but to each their own) singing in your ears, like a private concert.
On the road, the 2025 Kicks demonstrates improved suspension and more precise steering. It no longer shakes like before on the cobblestones of Old Quebec. The handling is more assured, almost mature. Be careful though, because the traction versions still have a rigid axle at the rear. Fortunately, the integral adds much better thought-out multi-link suspensions.
Of course, the CVT is not without flaws, and the increased weight could affect long-distance consumption. But overall, this Kicks has learned to benefit from the lessons of its predecessors.
For urbanites looking for a reliable and distinctive small SUV, the Kicks 2025 is a serious candidate. And in canary yellow, expect to turn heads — even those of tourists in Quebec!
In the podcast
Obviously, we give even more details on the Nissan Kicks, its dimensions (it is larger) and its driving pleasure. We also talk about Nissan’s future plan.
But we add as a bonus a test of the new Ford Explorer 2025, the Acura ZDX 2025, and we comment on the news, in particular the difficult situation of Volkswagen. Finally, we talk a little about an engine, let’s say noisy: a V16 unique in the world.
