2026 Nissan Kicks – Nissan’s Answer to “What’s the Cheapest New Car You Have?”
Let’s be real. The subcompact crossover segment isn’t where you find driving nirvana. It’s where you find practicality, a decent warranty, and a payment that doesn’t keep you up at night. For years, the Nissan Kicks has lived comfortably in this space, offering a funky design and a rock-bottom price to folks who’d rather not buy used.
But the game is changing. The 2026 Nissan Kicks arrives in a market where the Hyundai Venue and Kia Soul are sharper than ever, and cheap EVs like the Chevy Bolt are making a compelling case for going electric. For 2026, Nissan hasn’t blown up the formula. They’ve given it a new suit, some much-needed tech, and left the most important part—the anemic engine—exactly the same. We spent a week with it to see if “cheap and cheerful” is still enough.
2026 Updates: A New Face and a Real Infotainment Screen
Nissan calls this a “major refresh.” In reality, it’s a heavy facelift that finally drags the Kicks into the modern era, at least on the surface.
Exterior: All the Angles, All the Time
The Kicks has always been a funky-looking thing, and the 2026 model doubles down. It ditches the old V-Motion grille for Nissan’s new “Pathfinder-inspired” fascia. Think a bigger, bolder, more blocky front end. It’s got new LED signatures, more aggressive bumper lines, and two-tone paint is still very much an option. It looks tougher, like it’s trying to convince you it has off-road chops. It doesn’t, but the effort is appreciated. It’s certainly more interesting to look at than a Toyota Corolla Cross.
Interior & Tech: Goodbye, Stone Age
This is the biggest win. The pre-2026 Kicks interior was a sad place, dominated by hard, shiny plastics and a tiny, low-res infotainment screen that felt a decade old.
For 2026, Nissan has finally installed a standard 8-inch touchscreen running their latest software. It’s not the most luxurious system, but it’s responsive and finally features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This single change makes the cabin feel generations newer. The materials are still largely budget-conscious, but the design is fresher, and you no longer feel like you’re being punished for being frugal.
Powertrain & Driving Dynamics: The Elephant in the Room
Here’s where the party stops. Under the hood, you’ll find the same, carryover 1.6-liter inline-four engine making 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired exclusively with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.
Let’s be blunt: this powertrain is underwhelming. Merging onto a highway requires planning and a heavy right foot. The engine is loud and strained when you ask for any kind of acceleration. It’s fine for puttering around town, but it’s the Kicks’ most significant liability in a world where competitors offer peppier turbocharged engines or hybrid options. The Kia Seltos, for example, offers a 175-hp turbo engine that makes the Kicks feel like it’s standing still.
The Competition: A Crowded Field of Cheap(ish) Thrills
| Feature | 2026 Nissan Kicks | Hyundai Venue | Kia Seltos | Toyota Corolla Cross |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.6L I4 (122 HP) | 1.6L I4 (121 HP) | 2.0L I4 (146 HP) / 1.6L Turbo (175 HP) | 2.0L I4 (169 HP) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD/AWD | FWD/AWD |
| Tech | 8″ Screen, Wireless AA/CarPlay | 8″ Screen, Wireless AA/CarPlay | 10.25″ Screen | 8″ Screen |
| Starting Price (est.) | ~$22,000 | ~$20,500 | ~$23,500 | ~$24,500 |
| Personality | Funky & Frugal | Cute & Simple | Sporty & Capable | Reliable & Boring |
The Kicks sits at the absolute bottom of the power and capability ladder. The Venue is its direct, equally slow competitor but often cheaper. The Seltos and Corolla Cross are a class above in power, refinement, and available AWD, but they also cost more. The Kicks’ play is purely based on price and style.
Not Impressed With the Go, But Like the Show
The critical take is pretty unanimous: it’s better, but still slow.
The Straight Pipes (YouTube: @TheStraightPipes): “They fixed the screen! Thank god. But they didn’t fix the engine. It’s so, so slow. The Venue is slow too, but the Kicks just feels more anemic. It’s a great city car, but I’d be scared to take it on a road trip.”
Savagegeese (YouTube: @savagegeese): “This is an appliance. The interior updates are a massive improvement for usability, but the driving experience is devoid of any emotion or feedback. It’s transportation, and it makes no apologies for it.”
Redline Reviews (YouTube: @RedlineReviews): “For the price, you get a lot of style and now, finally, decent tech. The fuel economy is great. But that powertrain is a real buzzkill. If you can stretch your budget, the Kia Seltos with the turbo engine is a vastly better vehicle to live with.”
So, Should You Buy the 2026 Nissan Kicks?
The Good:
✔ Aggressive Pricing: It will likely be one of the cheapest new cars you can buy.
✔ Excellent Fuel Economy: You’ll rarely visit the gas station.
✔ Updated Tech: The new standard infotainment is a huge quality-of-life improvement.
✔ Funky Style: It stands out in a sea of bland crossovers.
The Not-So-Good:
❌ Dreadfully Slow: The 122 HP engine is a significant drawback for modern driving.
❌ No All-Wheel Drive: A deal-breaker for those in snowy climates.
❌ CVT Drone: The transmission amplifies the engine’s strained noises.
❌ Basic Interior: Despite the new screen, it’s still a cabin built to a very low cost.
The Perfect Car for Someone Who Hates Cars
The 2026 Nissan Kicks is not an enthusiast’s car. It’s not a “driver’s” car. It’s an “errand-runner’s” car. It exists for one person: the urban or suburban dweller who wants a new, reliable vehicle with a good warranty, the latest phone connectivity, and the absolute lowest monthly payment.
If your driving consists of sub-50 mph roads and your top priorities are Apple CarPlay, fuel economy, and not caring if it gets a door ding, the Kicks makes a surprising amount of sense. It’s the automotive equivalent of a reliable, basic smartphone.
But if you ever need to merge with gusto, drive in snow, or simply enjoy the act of driving, spending a little more on a Kia Seltos or even a base Mazda CX-30 will feel like a revelation. The Kicks knows its audience, and its audience famously doesn’t read car reviews.
Alright, let’s hear it. Is the Kicks’ bargain-basement price enough to forgive its glacial pace, or is it an underpowered penalty box? Would you recommend it to a relative, or steer them toward a used car instead? Sound off below.