Nissan Kicks review: a sensible small crossover that never pretends to be an SUV
3.5/5motorssouq Editorial Team
Buy the Kicks as what it actually is: a raised hatchback with crossover styling and none of the off-road pretence, ideal for someone who wants easy parking, low running costs and a slightly higher seating position than a Sunny without paying SUV money. It will not tow, it will not cross sand, and it does not need to for the buyer it is built for.
Pros
- 118 hp 1.6L engine and CVT are smooth and unstressed at city speeds
- Fuel consumption around 6.1 L/100 km beats every crossover a class up
- Compact footprint suits Manama's older streets and parking
- Shares mechanicals with the Sunny, so servicing is straightforward and cheap
Cons
- No all-wheel-drive option; genuinely front-wheel-drive only
- No off-road ability or tow rating despite the crossover styling
- Rear legroom and boot space trail a Sunny sedan
- No official GCC crash-test rating on record
The Kicks fills the space the Juke and Tiida left behind in Nissan's Gulf range, and it does the job with less drama than either predecessor: a taller, boxier shape than a Sunny, a CVT tuned for smooth city driving rather than outright pace, and a 118 hp 1.6-litre four that never feels stressed at Bahrain speed limits.
What it is, and is not
Nissan sells the Kicks as a crossover, but there is no all-wheel-drive option and no low-range gearing — it is a raised hatchback with SUV styling cues, mechanically closer to a Sunny than to an X-Trail. Buyers expecting genuine off-road ability or a tow rating will be disappointed; buyers who just want a slightly higher seating position, easier ingress and a bit more ground clearance over speed bumps will find exactly what they wanted.
Around town, that trade-off pays off. The compact footprint threads through Manama's older neighbourhoods easily, the turning circle is tight, and the raised seating position gives better visibility over traffic than a standard sedan without the parking anxiety of a larger SUV.
Running costs and ownership
Fuel consumption around 6.1 L/100 km combined undercuts every crossover a class above it, and the CVT and running gear are shared closely enough with the Sunny that any Nissan-familiar workshop in Bahrain can service it without fuss. As with every Xtronic-equipped Nissan on this list, documented fluid changes matter more than mileage when judging a used example.
Interior space is the honest compromise: rear legroom and boot capacity trail a Sunny sedan despite the taller roofline, so buyers cross-shopping for outright cargo space should look elsewhere. For a single buyer or a small family doing mostly city driving, it is a sensible, low-drama choice.