2024 Nissan Kicks SV

The 2024 Kicks is Nissan's smallest crossover, a subcompact SUV that slots below the Rogue and competes with the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross. The Kicks feels light and nimble around town, with quick steering and a small footprint that makes parking easy, though the engine needs revs to keep up on the highway. The ride is on the firm side, but the seats are supportive and the cabin stays reasonably quiet for a subcompact crossover. The hatchback body opens to a useful cargo area, and the rear seats fold flat to swallow bulky items, making the Kicks more versatile than its size suggests. Standard tech includes a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and higher trims add a larger display and Nissan's Safety Shield 360 driver aids. The SV adds heated mirrors, roof rails, and blind-spot monitoring over the base S, without jumping to the SR's sporty looks. Its 1.6L I4 makes 122 horsepower through a CVT and front-wheel drive, which is plenty for city errands but needs a firm throttle for highway merging. Intelligent Cruise Control is standard on the SV, letting it maintain a set speed and distance in traffic automatically.