DecodedCars2026 Nissan Kicks
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV FWD, Play 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 141 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 28 city / 35 hwy
- Length
- 169.7–172 in
- Curb weight
- 2,692–3,175 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 141 hp, versus about 186 hp for similar 2026 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Nissan Kicks is a small SUV offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 172 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,175 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (28 city / 35 highway), 3% better than the 2026 small SUV average of 30.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2026
- Engine dropped: 1.6L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 33 to 31
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Kicks →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2026 Kicks configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 172 in | 70.9 in | 64.2 in | 104.7 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 3,175 lb | 61/39 |
| 4dr SUV FWD | 172 in | 70.9 in | 64.2 in | 104.7 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 2,990 lb | 63/37 |
| Play 4dr SUV | 169.7 in | 69.3 in | 63.4 in | 103.1 in | 59.8 / 60.2 in | 2,692 lb | 61/39 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 35 / 31 | +3% | $2,150 | 287 |
| Kicks AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 34 / 30 | +16% | $2,250 | 299 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Nissan Kicks.
Similar 2026 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Nissan Kicks (this car) | 31 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Toyota RAV4 | 43 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Ford Bronco | 20 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 42 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Ford Escape | 40 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Jeep Compass | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (3)
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · May 21, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V331000 · 51,598 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Kicks vehicles. A software error in the combination meter may cause the screen display to go partially or fully blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Risk
- A partial or blank screen display will not show critical safety information such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will resume the software reprogramming of the combination meter software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA66. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 22, 2026.
Seats · Mar 13, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V145000 · 15 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Kicks and Sentra vehicles. The hook bracket of the front seat frames may be insufficiently welded, which can cause the front seat frames to become loose. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
- Risk
- A loose seat may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the front seat assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA64. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 13, 2026.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Jan 20, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V023000 · 26,432 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
- Risk
- A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning January 28, 2026.
Not every 2026 Nissan Kicks is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Kicks years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Kicks | 31 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 Kicks | 33 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 42 |
| 2024 Kicks | 33 | 169.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 39 |
| 2023 Kicks | 33 | 169.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 18 |
| 2022 Kicks | 33 | 169.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 24 |
| 2021 Kicks | 33 | 169.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 78 |
| 2020 Kicks | 33 | 169.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 98 |
| 2019 Kicks | 33 | 169.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 134 |
| 2018 Kicks | 33 | – | Not rated | 1 | 86 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →