Nissan gave the Kicks, its smallest SUV on sale, some updates for the 2021 model year. The subcompact SUV wears an updated design, more standard tech features, and a few interior changes. Despite receiving quite a few updates, pricing for the 2021 Kicks starts at $20,650 (prices include destination), which represents an increase of just $430 from last year.
The starting price of $20,650 is for the entry-level S trim. The mid-level SV starts at $22,450, $600 more than last year, while the range-topping SR costs $23,090 – $620 more than 2020. With the changes that Nissan made for the 2021 model year, we think the subcompact is well worth the increase in pricing.
As far as changes go, the subcompact SUV gets an updated styling that features redesigned LED headlights, LED fog lights, and an updated rear bumper. Nissan’s familial grille is now called “Double V-Motion” and grows in size on the ’21 Kicks. Three new colors – Electric Blue Metallic, Boulder Gray pearl, and Scarlet Ember Tincoat – have been added.
On the tech front, the Kicks gets a 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Last year, smartphone compatibility wasn’t standard, so this is a huge addition. Higher trims come with a USB-C outlet and Wi-Fi hot spot as an option. The other changes that have been made to the interior include upgraded seat and door trim on the SV and SR trims. Consumers that upgrade to the SR trim get a unique three-tone interior design.
As far as price increases go, this is a relatively small one. The Nissan Armada was refreshed for 2021, receiving more horsepower, new technology, a refreshed exterior, and an updated interior design to the tune of an extra $1,000. While the changes to the Kicks aren’t nearly as extensive, pricing hasn’t gone up by nearly as much.
The Kicks is one of the few front-wheel-drive-only subcompact SUVs on the market and is toward the lower end of the segment when it comes to pricing. The Subaru Crosstrek costs $23,295, Hyundai Venue is priced at $19,935, Kia Soul starts at $18,765, and Honda HR-V carries a starting price tag of $22,395.
Despite costing more than the Kicks, both the HR-V and Crosstrek come with fewer standard features. The HR-V comes with a 5-inch touchscreen and doesn’t have smartphone compatibility as standard, while the Crosstrek comes with a smaller 6.5-inch touchscreen. The Soul matches the Kicks with its 7-inch touchscreen and standard smartphone compatibility. Out of the main competitors, the Venue is one of the few to come with a larger 8-inch touchscreen.
One area where the Kicks handily beats its competitors is when it comes to standard safety features. Subaru doesn’t offer its EyeSight suite of features as standard on the base trim with a manual transmission and Honda Sensing isn’t available on the HR-V until the mid-level EX trim. The Venue comes with a few major driver-assist features as standard, but it’s not close to the same list of features as the Kicks. Kia doesn’t offer a suite of safety features on the Soul, as higher trims come with more features. Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite of features is standard on the Kicks. It comes with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, high-beam assist, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear automatic emergency braking, and rear cross traffic alert.
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