2025 Nissan Kicks Is Winning the Automotive Awards Season

You probably already know that the Nissan Kicks has been completely redesigned for 2025. The new design is larger, has more tech, and has a significantly more upscale interior. It is now available with all-wheel drive and features daring yet attractive new styling. Others in the industry have noticed the latest version of Nissan’s least expensive SUV, and Nissan of Rochester is happy to point out that the awards are starting to come.  

IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK 

Since some people can still be uncomfortable with the perceived safety of small vehicles, let’s start there. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not yet tested the new Kicks, but the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has—and has subsequently named the Kicks a TOP SAFETY PICK. This award was made more difficult to achieve for 2024 with an updated side-impact test in which 82% more energy must be redirected from the cabin than the previous test. Vehicles also had to meet stricter standards for rear-seat protection, pedestrian crash prevention, and headlight performance across all trims. Requirements to receive a TOP SAFETY PICK from IIHS include:

• A “Good” (IIHS’s highest) rating in the small overlap front and updated side-impact crash tests. 
• A “Good” rating in the original moderate front crash test. 
• An “Acceptable” or “Good” rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation. 
• “Acceptable” or “Good” headlight performance across all trims. 

Never mind those “Acceptable” ratings, the Kicks earned a “Good” rating in all three impact tests, as well as “Good” in the pedestrian front crash prevention evaluation and headlight evaluation, thus excelling in protecting the driver and passengers in a variety of real-world collision scenarios. 

In addition, with standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 across the model line, all Kicks models include safety technologies such as: 

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection 
• Lane Departure Warning 
• Rear Automatic Braking 
• Blind Spot Warning 
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert 
• High Beam Assist

“The 2025 Nissan Kicks delivers advanced safety and reliability,” said Paul Peruski, Vice President, Vehicle Evaluation, Safety and Test Engineering, Nissan Technical Center North America. “This latest recognition from IIHS highlights our dedication to engineering vehicles that protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.”  

Best Budget Car – CarBuzz.com 

Automotive website CarBuzz.com tested the 2025 Kicks and gave it its 2024 Best Budget Car award. To qualify for this award, a vehicle must: 

• Be new or redesigned for the 2024 or newer model year 
• Be available for a price under $30,000 
• Have been tested by CarBuzz 

“We walked away from the 2025 Kicks feeling like this is a new car altogether,” said Ian Wright, CarBuzz senior road tester. “It’s heftier, roomier, a nicer place to be inside, and has useful cargo space. It’s still nimble and easy to fit in a parking space but will be a much better vehicle to live with and comes with important safety features like blind-spot monitoring as standard. It also has the optional and unobtrusive ProPILOT Assist on the SR trim, making it a safe, family-friendly buy on a budget.” 

Best Small SUV – Money.com 

Finally, Money.com included the Kicks and three other Nissan models as representing excellent value in their respective classes. The models include:

• Kicks – Best Small SUV  
• Altima – Best Midsize Car 
• Z NISMO – Best Affordable Sports Car  
• Ariya – Best Affordable Electric Car 

The Kicks was described as combining “bold design with versatile technology, making it ideal for city driving and beyond.” “This recognition highlights the strength and versatility of Nissan’s lineup,” said Vinay Shahani, senior vice president of U.S. marketing and sales, Nissan Americas. “From the excitement of Z NISMO to the stylish value-led Kicks, these awards reflect our commitment to vehicles that meet – and exceed – the diverse needs of our customers.” 

J.D. Power Residual Value Awards 

J.D. Power voiced its opinion that the Kicks can be expected to keep much of its value in the years to come by awarding the Kicks a best-in-class in the 2024 J.D. Power Residual Value Awards.  

See It for Yourself 

It should be clear by now that the 2025 Nissan Kicks is not just a new pretty face on the Nissan of Rochester showroom floor, but a multi-award-winning vehicle in the important small SUV category. If you are looking for a compact, affordable SUV, the Kicks simply must be on your shopping list. We suggest you shop for it here at Nissan of Rochester.