The subcompact crossover segment is really two segments in one: ultra-budget entries offered only with front-wheel drive (FWD), or more upscale nameplates with available all-wheel drive (AWD). Until now, Nissan had entries in both: the Kicks was the FWD-only budget option, while the Qashqai was the upmarket offering. Now, Nissan is consolidating its product line-up by dropping the Qashqai and bringing the all-new 2025 Nissan Kicks to a happy medium with a thoughtful redesign that combines the best of both worlds.
Here’s everything we know so far about the 2025 Nissan Kicks in Canada. Be sure to bookmark this page: we’ll update it as we receive more information.
2025 Nissan Kicks in Canada: What we Know so Far
- 2025 Nissan Kicks styling
- 2025 Nissan Kicks interior design and practicality
- 2025 Nissan Kicks engine and drive
- 2025 Nissan Kicks price and release date
2025 Nissan Kicks styling
With its top-to-bottom redesign, the new Nissan Kicks has a much cleaner look and more natural proportions. The squared-off front end with horizontal grille lines and segmented headlamps gives the diminutive Kicks an almost truck-like presence. Notably absent is Nissan’s V-Motion grille, which leads us to wonder whether that design cue is on its way to retirement.
Unlike the previous-generation Kicks, the door handles on the 2025 redesign nicely align parallel to the shoulder line. On the SR trim that’s been shown to the public, a floating roof treatment is set out with two-tone paint combinations. A set of funky segmented taillamps complete the edgy look. The 2025 Nissan Kicks enjoys more generous proportions than its predecessor. It’s 56 mm longer, 20 mm taller, and has 3.6 centimetres more ground clearance than the previous generation.
2025 Nissan Kicks interior design and practicality
The interior of the 2025 Nissan Kicks is somewhat more generic than its exterior, but the updates bring its tech into the current age. A 12.3-inch infotainment screen is standard equipment with available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster will be standard on lower trims, while a 12.3-inch screen comes in with the SR trim mounted together under a single panel. A traditional shifter is equipped in the Kicks, rather than the sliding shift-by-wire system found in the current-generation Rogue.
While headroom at the front is reduced slightly from 1,027 mm to 1,008 mm (these figures are without the available panoramic sunroof), shoulder room expands by 43.1 mm in the front row and 38.1 mm in the rear. Second-row knee space increases by 22.9 mm.
Nissan's “zero gravity” seats, a popular feature among long-distance drivers, are now equipped in the outboard rear seats as well as the front row.
With FWD, cargo volume expands to 850 litres (from 716) behind the second row, and to 1,700 litres (from 914) behind the first row. That’s a significant improvement over the previous generation and a healthy figure for the segment. However, equipping AWD has a big impact: you’ll get 677 litres behind the second row—less than the previous generation—and 1,419 litres behind the first.
2025 Nissan Kicks engine and drive
As the Nissan Kicks takes on AWD, it also gains a new Snow mode. Nissan says this mode adjusts the logic of the AWD and vehicle dynamic control systems for improved performance on low-traction surfaces.
The 2025 Kicks also loses its 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and trades it in for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder currently found on the Nissan Sentra. In the Kicks, this increases output to 141 hp (from 122 hp), and to 140 lb-ft of torque (from 114 lb-ft). A continuously variable transmission (CVT) remains the only transmission option.
The SR trim receive Nissan’s Pro Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driver assistance feature, a first for the Kicks. A 360-degree camera will also be available.
2025 Nissan Kicks price and release date
The 2025 Nissan Kicks is expected to arrive in Canada in late summer 2024. When it lands, it will be offered in three trims: S, SV, and SR. S and SV will be front-wheel drive (FWD) with optional AWD, while SR will have AWD as standard. No pricing has been announced yet, but Nissan representatives are on record saying it will be similar to the current model.