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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 | $22,400–$26,706 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2024 Nissan Kicks earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Performance at 5.8/10 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 rate reliability at 6.9/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 8.3/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.8/10 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. Technology comes in at 7.0/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $22,400–$26,706, 33 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Kicks sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The 8.3/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this suv delivers more than most of the class. At 2 years old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2024 Nissan Kicks, but it needs the right buyer. Its reliability and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
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 2024 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 $22,400 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 38%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2021 Nissan Kicks scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2024'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 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $22,400 | |
| 2023 | 7.2/10 | $21,728 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $21,056 | Read review → |
| 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 → |
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 27/02/2024 · 24V154000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.