As the SUV continues its unprecedented wave of popularity as the ideal family vehicle, they seem to be getting smaller. For those of you who were alive in the mid to late ’90s, you might remember such vehicles as the Ford Excursion, massive islands of steel that took up large amounts of space and choked down gasoline like there was no tomorrow. Today’s SUVs are compact, fuel-efficient, and specifically geared for the urban dweller who simply needs a little extra storage to facilitate their needs for work and play. With such a variety of makes and models available to consumers, choosing the right one for you might seem difficult. We assure you; it isn’t. The 2022 Nissan Kicks is a smaller-scale SUV that affords you all the things you need at a price that’s affordable and can easily fit within the confines of any budget. For a little SUV, the Nissan Kicks sure packs a lot of fun and flare. So, come on and get your kicks!
Modern Performance for a Modern Era
As we established earlier, the days of metal islands choking down gallons of gas have long since passed us. A modern era calls for a modernized SUV. The 2022 Nissan Kicks offers performance that focuses more on the practical than the powerful. The Kicks is powered by a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine capable of 122 horsepower. Equipped with a CVT (continuously variable transmission) allows the Kicks to maintain consistent engine speeds while accelerating and decelerating. While you might not qualify for the INDY 500 with the Kicks, its engine is perfectly suited for beginning drivers and especially ones who live in an urban setting. City driving requires a lot of starting and stopping, and a CVT is ideal for keeping the engine running consistently when the road gets a bit choked up.
Younger drivers need to learn basics before graduating to anything that’s performance-oriented, and the Nissan Kicks is more than ideal. One of the things that younger drivers need to learn first is getting used to the right amount of pressure to accelerate. The Kicks is the perfect vehicle to learn from, as it takes slightly over 9 seconds to reach 60 MPH. The Kicks’ ability to handle better than the average SUV also furthers its ideal use for both teenage drivers and those who spend a great deal of time within the city limits. Plus, the Kicks offers great fuel efficiency with an average of 31 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway.
Interior and Safety
At first glance, the 2022 Nissan Kicks bears a resemblance to many of the subcompact SUVs that are currently on the market. It’s accented by curves and bright colors like others, but unlike many other vehicles, you have the option for two-tone colors and other color customizations. However, we’ll have to look inside to examine the contributing qualities that Nissan includes to put the Kicks above the competition. As soon as the doors are opened, we see a fair amount of artistic innovation that lends itself to a unique aesthetic not shared by its contemporaries. A two-toned color scheme on the cloth interior is just as stylish as it is inviting.
While the size of the Kicks might appear to be minuscule from the outside, as many modern subcompact SUVs are, the interior is roomy with plenty of space for storage. Whether you’re managing a carpool or varying groceries, you’ll have plenty of room to do both with relative ease. An available storage space of 32.3 cubic feet might not be on the same playing field as some of the larger SUVs on the market, but it’s more than double the space of a typical sedan.
Nissan also rolls out the necessary amenities to make your commute as comfortable as possible. A standard 7” infotainment screen and six-speaker audio system means your favorite tunes or getting directions are never too far out of reach. Higher trim levels include an 8” screen for better clarity, a USB-C port which means all of your modern accessories will have support, and for the audiophile in all of us, a higher-end Bose speaker system.
Safety
Nissan has always been praised for its innovation and attention to detail. The safety features that come standard of the Kicks are no exception to this well-deserved reputation. The Kicks has already received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Aside from excellent results from government-mandated testing, a vast amount of standard safety features come with all three trim levels of the Nissan Kicks.
Automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning are just some of the features that Nissan has included. Nissan has also included its VDC system (Vehicle Dynamic Control) as part of the standard driving assistance package. One of the more advanced systems that Nissan has developed, this stability control implements the use of various sensors to help your vehicle adapt to sudden changes in terrain. It’s advised that you leave this system in place unless you get stuck in unfamiliar terrain.
Higher trim levels come equipped with Nissan’s Intelligent Cruise Control and Intelligent Driver Alertness. The latter of these advanced safety systems actually monitors steering patterns made by the driver with the use of sensors to determine alertness and will tell you it’s time to take a break when it senses you are getting drowsy. As they’ve done in the past, Nissan continues to provide remarkable innovation to the masses.
Warranty
As a vehicle owner, having peace of mind in the event of the unforeseen is incredibly valuable. The final variable of the 2022 Nissan Kicks we’ll be examining is the warranty coverage.
- Basic Warranty for 36 Months/ 36,000-miles: A necessity, this covers any defects in the materials or workmanship of your Nissan. This warranty is put into action from the day of your purchase forward.
- Powertrain Coverage Warranty for 60 Months/60,000-miles: Nissan’s powertrain warranty covers any defects related to workmanship. This coverage is extended to the engine, transmission, transaxle, drivetrain, and restraint system.
- Corrosion Coverage for 5 Years/Unlimited Miles: One of the best corrosion coverage warranties in the industry, Nissan will cover any rust-through on your vehicle’s sheet metal.
- Seat Belt Coverage for 10 years/Unlimited Miles: An odd one to think about as a separate warranty, but nice to have. Nissan covers your seatbelts in case of damage or defect to keep you safe.
- Roadside Assistance for 3 years/36,000 Miles: On the road of life, the unexpected can always happen. Nissan’s coverage includes mechanical breakdown, replacement of fuel, as well as one-way towing and rental car reimbursement. Nissan also covers towing assistance for a period of 5 years/60,000-miles. You’ll also be eligible for lodging reimbursement if a breakdown occurs 100 miles or more from your place of residence.
Get Your Kicks on Route 66 (And Everywhere in Between)
While you might not live anywhere that has direct access to Route 66, that doesn’t mean you can’t get behind the wheel and make the 2022 Nissan Kicks the best purchase you make in the upcoming year. From Route 66 to your driveway and everywhere else in between, there’s never been a better time to own one. A showcase of quality across the board, the phrase “get your kicks” has never been more appropriate. Don’t just “hit” the road; give it the “kick” it’s been asking for.
