​​What Is The New Nissan Kicks Play​

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The first Nissan Kicks arrived in the US in June 2018 as a 2018 model. It replaced both the Juke with much more room and also effectively replaced the Versa hatchback with more popular SUV proportions. All it really lacked was an AWD option one expects from a crossover. The 2025 Kicks is a thorough redesign with an AWD option, an exterior style all its own, and a more upscale interior. If you haven’t seen it up close, you should definitely visit Nissan of Lexington and do so. However, Nissan considers the affordability of the first-generation Kicks to still be of value for a great many people, so it returns as the Nissan Kicks Play.   

The Kicks Play is essentially the former Kicks in its base model “S” trim. It arrives with a single drivetrain and a basic feature set to serve as the brand’s entry-level model SUV, with a base price of $22,910. 

As such, the model carries on with its 1.6-liter inline-4 engine, which produces 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission, and as with all first-generation Kicks models, it is available strictly with front-wheel drive (FWD). Car and Driver describes its performance thusly: “Around town, it feels surprisingly perky, so long as you’re willing to push deep into the throttle and let the engine rev.” FWD and a naturally aspirated engine combine to provide excellent fuel economy with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.  

The Kicks Play naturally retains the cabin and dashboard of the first-generation model. While the dash is not as modern or fancy as in the new Kicks, it is ideally suited for driving in the 21st century. The multimedia system is comprised of a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, three USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. The rear seats have room for two adults and three in a pinch, with 33.4 inches of rear legroom, and the suspension is tuned to keep everyone comfortable. The model takes the “Utility” part of “SUV” seriously, as Car and Driver observed: “The Kicks Play impressed us with its results in our cargo tests, matching and beating some larger rivals. We managed to fit 19 of our carry-on suitcases with the rear seats folded.”  

The model does not skimp on safety technology as it comes standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety and driver-assist technologies, including: 

• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection 
• Reverse automatic braking 
• Lane departure warning 
• Blind spot warning 
• Rear cross-traffic alert 

In IIHS safety tests, the identical 2024 model also scored a “Good” (their highest rating) in all their impact tests. 

While the feature package remains relatively basic for the purpose of affordability, it does include the convenience of Easy-Fill Tire Alert, which, when filling a tire with air, will provide an audio alert when the correct pressure is reached. Also, like all Nissan models, the Kicks Play comes with Nissan Maintenance Care, which covers scheduled maintenance for the first two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.  

The Nissan Kicks is intended to be a basic but versatile new car for budget-conscious buyers. It is ideal for first-time new car purchasers or any household requiring additional reliable transportation. The Nissan Kicks is expected to arrive at Nissan of Lexington and all other Nissan dealers within the first quarter of 2025. If it is not yet available when you read this, you can request that one of our sales professionals notify you when the first models arrive.