The Refreshed Nissan Kicks SUV

The small SUV for the city is quite competitive

There is something about the SUV class of cars that is understandably mysterious. It is, to begin with, segmented in a way that even industry players cannot quite explain.

Of course, we know of the big SUV, mid-size compact, subcompacts and a litany of a few more. It all depends on whom you as by the end of the day. One thing, however, is clear – competition is cut-throat and there is the desire to make outstanding machines from all quarters.

The Nissan Kicks lies in what may be called tiny-SUV class. It is a practical choice with plenty of personalities. Its powertrain is a simple setup: a 125-hp four-cylinder drives the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); all-wheel drive is not available.

It stands out for efficiency rather than swift. The fact that the Kicks comes standard with features such as automated emergency braking and a touchscreen infotainment system at its low base price is impressive, although this aspect brings it in line with key rivals instead of one-upping them.

Nissan Connect attached to the Kicks is intuitive and easy to learn. All Kicks models come with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth connectivity; two different premium audio systems are optional, as is onboard Wi-Fi.

This is a small budget-friendly car that is not only functional but also very practical. The tweaks we’ve seen for 2019 will no doubt help greatly in pushing it a little further up.