Nissan dramatically remade its Kicks subcompact SUV for the 2025 model year. But the 2024 Kicks isn’t going away. It will live on with a new name – the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play.
The reinvented Kicks was one of the most striking automotive makeovers of recent years. KBB test driver Colin Ryan, who tested both, said, “The previous model wasn’t easy to get excited about. However, the reimagined Kicks should generate some enthusiasm.”
The prior model, now the Kicks Play, has its charms. Our editors like its sensible pricing, decent fuel economy, and generous cabin space for a subcompact. However, the lack of all-wheel drive (AWD) and pug-like looks limit its appeal.
The new version, now the Kicks, looks more grown up and polished. It’s larger in every dimension (though still subcompact) and boasts 141 horsepower (compared to 122 hp in the Play). Best of all, it has Nissan’s excellent Zero Gravity seats — something the old model couldn’t claim.
Why keep them both? Officially, Nissan says it’s a way of “offering customers an additional entry to the CUV [crossover utility vehicle] market that suits their needs.” Unofficially, automakers sometimes do this when they have leftover parts inventory and contracts that haven’t expired yet, meaning it’s easier to build more copies of the old model than it would be to stop building it.
Nissan is also in merger negotiations with competitor Honda and may be avoiding significant changes while the two discuss their finances.
Seeing the two side-by-side on dealer lots might help buyers get the Play at a bargain price. But they’ll have to do some negotiating to get there. Just $310 separates the price of an entry-level model of each.
The Kicks Play will exist only as an entry-level S model. Nissan will continue to offer multiple trim levels of the new Kicks.
2025 Kicks and Kicks Play Pricing
All prices include a mandatory $1,390 destination fee.
Kicks Play:
| Trim Level | MSRP + Destination Fee |
| Kicks Play | $22,910 |
Kicks:
| Trim Level | MSRP + Destination Fee |
| S front-wheel drive (FWD) | $23,220 |
| SV FWD | $25,070 |
| SR FWD | $27,570 |
| S all-wheel drive (AWD) | $24,720 |
| SV AWD | $26,720 |
| SR AWD | $29,070 |
