I decided to buy the Nissan Kicks because I was looking for a budget-friendly, economical car. Honestly, Nissan has a solid reputation for quality and after-sales service. Among all the Japanese-brand SUVs, the Kicks was the most affordable option I could find.
I thought it would be enough for daily use — small engine, fuel-efficient, and family-friendly. But after using it, I realized it's severely underpowered on the highway. If the car is fully loaded with passengers and the AC is on, once you hit 100 km/h, trying to accelerate or overtake becomes almost impossible! My advice: if your budget allows, go for a bigger engine. Don’t underestimate this point. As the saying goes, “Whether you need it or not is one thing — but having it makes all the difference.”
Handling & Comfort
The car is light and easy to drive in the city. The throttle and brakes are very responsive.
Fuel Consumption
People often say Japanese cars are fuel-efficient, but that wasn't really the case here. In traffic, fuel consumption reaches around 9 L/100km, and even on highways, it’s about 8 L/100km. I don’t think this car is suitable for long-distance driving.
Exterior Design
The design is modern and youthful. The front has a sporty look with Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille. The side profile is well-proportioned, and the rear has a nice sporty touch with the floating roof design. I just wish it came in a dual-tone option.
Interior & Technology
The interior design is simple, but there’s a lot of hard plastic. The 8-inch screen supports Apple CarPlay, voice control, navigation, and remote monitoring — plus 10 years of free basic data, which is a great bonus.
Noise Insulation
Once you go over 100 km/h, cabin noise becomes very noticeable — to the point where you have to raise your voice to talk.
Maintenance & Issues
Right after the first service (oil and filter change), the oil warning light came on and the engine shut off right after I left the service center!
On the second day after delivery, the battery warning light came on. I thought it was a loose terminal, but even after tightening, the light stayed on.
There’s a strange noise from the CVT transmission when starting off. Some people say it’s normal for CVT, but I drove a test unit before and didn’t hear it.
The screen froze twice — especially after using voice commands. I had to stop the car and restart it for the screen to function again.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a budget-friendly city car for short trips, the Kicks might work for you. But if you drive long distances or travel often, I’d recommend looking for something with a more powerful engine and higher build quality. The technical issues, especially with the transmission and infotainment system, make it hard for me to confidently recommend this car.
