2025 Nissan Kicks Is Winning the Automotive Awards Season​ 

If you are unaware, the Nissan Kicks has been completely redesigned for the 2025 model year. Nissan’s smallest SUV has more room, more tech, a significantly more upscale interior, and bold exterior styling that takes a whole new design direction from the previous model. All-wheel drive is also now available. If you haven’t seen it yet, visit Nissan of Lexington and check out this exciting model. Naturally, the industry press and other vehicle reviewers have taken a look at the new Kicks, and the awards are starting to come in.  

IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK 

As of this writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet tested the new Kicks, but it has been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the results of which prompted it to name the 2025 Kicks a TOP SAFETY PICK. This award became more difficult to achieve for 2024 due to an updated side-impact test that increases the energy needed to be redirected from the cabin by 82%. Vehicles also had to meet stricter standards for rear-seat protection, pedestrian crash prevention, and headlight performance across all trims.  

Requirements to receive a TOP SAFETY PICK from IIHS include: 

• A “Good” (IIHS’s highest) rating in the small overlap front and updated side-impact crash tests. 
• A “Good” rating in the original moderate front crash test. 
• An “Acceptable” or “Good” rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation. Kicks received a “Good” rating. 
• “Acceptable” or “Good” headlight performance across all trims. Kicks received a “Good” rating. 

By earning a “Good” rating in all three impact tests, the pedestrian front crash prevention, and headlight evaluations, the Kicks was found by IIHS to excel in protecting the driver and passengers in multiple real-world collision scenarios. Pedestrian front crash prevention is part of the Nissan Safety Shield 360 system that is standard across the model line.  

Included in the Nissan Safety Shield 360 system are safety technologies such as:  

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection 
• Lane Departure Warning 
• Rear Automatic Braking 
• Blind Spot Warning 
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert 
• High Beam Assist 

“The 2025 Nissan Kicks delivers advanced safety and reliability,” said Paul Peruski, Vice President, Vehicle Evaluation, Safety and Test Engineering, Nissan Technical Center North America. “This latest recognition from IIHS highlights our dedication to engineering vehicles that protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.”  

Best Budget Car – CarBuzz.com 

After testing the 2025 Kicks, automotive website CarBuzz.com deemed it worthy of its 2024 Best Budget Car award.  

To qualify for this award, a vehicle must: 

• Be new or redesigned for the 2024 or newer model year 
• Be available for a price under $30,000 
• Have been tested by CarBuzz 

“We walked away from the 2025 Kicks feeling like this is a new car altogether,” said Ian Wright, CarBuzz Senior Road Tester. “It’s heftier, roomier, a nicer place to be inside, and has useful cargo space. It’s still nimble and easy to fit in a parking space but will be a much better vehicle to live with and comes with important safety features like blind-spot monitoring as standard. It also has the optional and unobtrusive ProPILOT Assist on the SR trim, making it a safe, family-friendly buy on a budget.” 

Best Small SUV – Money.com 

Finally, the financial website Money.com, which looks at cars from a value standpoint, included the Kicks along with three other Nissan models as representing excellent value in their respective classes.  

The models include: 

• Kicks – Best Small SUV  
• Altima – Best Midsize Car 
• Z NISMO – Best Affordable Sports Car  
• Ariya – Best Affordable Electric Car 

Regarding the Kicks, Money.com stated that it combined “bold design with versatile technology, making it ideal for city driving and beyond.” “This recognition highlights the strength and versatility of Nissan’s lineup,” said Vinay Shahani, Senior Vice President of U.S. Marketing and Sales, Nissan Americas. “From the excitement of Z NISMO to the stylish value-led Kicks, these awards reflect our commitment to vehicles that meet—and exceed—the diverse needs of our customers.” 

J.D. Power Residual Value Awards 

J.D. Power used its expertise to predict that the Kicks would retain much of its value in the years to come, and it awarded the Kicks a best-in-class award in its 2024 J.D. Power Residual Value Awards.  

Check Out the New Kicks 

The 2025 Nissan Kicks is not just a new pretty face on the Nissan of Rochester showroom floor, but a multi-award-winning model that has upped the game in the significant small SUV category. For those looking for a compact, affordable crossover, the Kicks must on their shopping list and if they live anywhere near Lexington, SC, they should check out the new Kicks at Nissan of Lexington.