There was a time when entry-level buyers had their choice of fuel-efficient hatchbacks, powered by frugal four-cylinder engines and boasting names like Colt, Rabbit, Omni, Horizon, Chevette and Sentra. And while most might consider the humble econobox to be a vestige of the 1980s, a relic of the long-forgotten OPEC oil embargoes, the reality is that most drivers now drive hatchbacks. They’re just hiked up a few inches and are styled with a veneer of outdoors enthusiasm.
Which brings us to the 2023 Nissan Kicks, an affable, affordable economy device, one that takes the place of the humble econobox and proves to be worthy of the epithet.
Measuring less than 170 inches long, the Kicks was made for life in the city, despite its diminutive SUV style. This is more the tall hatchback than a boulder basher, as it comes solely with front-wheel drive. Offered in ascending S, SV and SR trim, all Kicks come with a 122-horsepower 1.6-liter double overhead-cam four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously-variable automatic transmission. What it lacks in brute strength it makes up for in fuel economy, using regular unleaded gasoline at a rate 31 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, according to the EPA.
All Kicks come with an impressive array of standard driver-assist safety systems, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking and high beam assist.
So you can be assured that the Kicks delivers safety as well as good fuel economy. But it won’t deliver much in the way of kicks once you drive it. Then again, that’s not its stock in trade.
As you might expect of a frugal transportation widget, the Kicks is fairly slow when, say, entering a highway. But it doesn’t feel nearly as lethargic when driving in urban environs. This is where the Kicks shines, feeling far livelier than you might expect. That said, the steering is light and lacks road feel, although most Kicks drivers won’t mind. The ride is very comfortable for its segment, but the tradeoff is noticeable body lean when cornering. And there’s a fair amount of road and tire noise, but that’s not unusual for its class.
But even if the driving frills are few, Kicks buyers get a respectable tech package, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a 7-inch touchscreen on S models, an 8-inch touchscreen on others. Three USB-A ports are standard, a USB-C port is optional. Note that an integrated navigation system is not available, but most drivers will use Smartphone apps instead, anyway.
Firm front seats and a tall seating position with generous headroom make the cabin seem larger than it is. The center console is padded on the sides where front driver and passenger’s knees hit, a small but important amenity. Legroom is plentiful up front, and surprisingly good for this car’s length. Rear seat passengers have adequate legroom, and a seat height higher than most competitors. Cargo space is a generous 25.3 cubic feet with the rear row in use.
Overall, you won’t be surprised by the cabin’s surfeit of hard plastic, but Nissan tries to mitigate this with cloth-covered armrests and pleasingly textured surfaces.
Of course, if you want to guild this lily, opt for the $22,850 Kicks SR with the $1,390 Premium Package. You’ll not only get an eight-speaker Bose audio system, you’ll also enjoy heated front seats and steering wheel, imitation leather seats, Nissan Connected services, a Wi-Fi hotspot and keyless entry.
Certainly, the 2023 Nissan Kicks delivers its thrills from the high level of standard gear, rather than the kind that comes from driving. But its short length makes it easy to parallel park, and its perky personality at lower speeds makes it the perfect inexpensive urban denizen, while its tiny appetite for fuel makes it wallet friendly.
And it comes at a price that won’t mortgage your future forever. In fact, its starting price of $20,290 is less than you’d pay in 1982 for a Nissan Sentra, which started at $6,899, or $20,958 when adjusted for inflation, according to the Federal Reserve. And the Kicks offers so much more for less money.
So you wouldn’t be wrong in calling the 2023 Nissan Kicks an econobox.
2023 Nissan Kicks
Base price: $20,290-$22,850
Engine: 1.6-liter DOHC four-cylinder
Horsepower/Torque: 122/114 pound-feet
EPA fuel economy (city/highway): 31 mpg/36 mpg
Fuel required: Regular unleaded
Length/Width/Height: 169.1/69.3/63.4 inches
Ground clearance: 7.0 inches
Payload: 909 pounds
Cargo capacity: 25.3-53.1 cubic feet
