carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.6L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 31 / 36 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 33 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,050 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 269 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $21,056–$27,237 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2022 Nissan Kicks at 7.3/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this suv. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.3/10, while Performance at 5.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.1/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $21,056–$27,237, 31 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Kicks sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.3/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 4 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2022 Nissan Kicks is a passable suv but not a standout one. Weaknesses in performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2022 Nissan Kicks ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $21,056 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 42%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $25k →
Smart-money pick: the 2019 Nissan Kicks scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2022's 7.3 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.3/10 | $23,072 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $23,072 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.3/10 | $22,400 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.2/10 | $21,728 | Read review → |
| 2022 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $21,056 | |
| 2021 | 7.1/10 | $20,384 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.1/10 | $19,712 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $19,040 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 6.9/10 | $18,368 | Read review → |
We rate the 2022 Nissan Kicks's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 44% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2022 Nissan Kicks starts at $21,056 and ranges up to $27,237 across trims (MSRP when new). At 31 MPG, expect roughly $1,694/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.