2023 Nissan Kicks SV

The 2023 Kicks is Nissan's subcompact crossover, a tall hatchback that slots below the Rogue and competes with the Chevrolet Trax and Honda HR-V. The Kicks feels light and nimble around town, with a small footprint that makes parking easy and steering that is pleasantly direct. The ride is on the firm side, which is the price of its tidy handling, but the seats stay comfortable on longer drives. The hatchback body offers a generous cargo area for the class, and the rear seats fold flat to swallow bulky items. The SV is the mid-range Kicks, adding heated mirrors and remote start to the base S without jumping to the SR's sporty touches. Its 1.6L I4 sends 122 horsepower through a continuously variable automatic (CVT) to the front wheels, which is enough for city traffic but feels strained on the highway. Intelligent Cruise Control is included here and works smoothly on long commutes, though the ride stays on the firmer side for a small crossover.