2021 Nissan Kicks Arrives In America With Fresh New Look

Dec. 08, 2020 11:00 AM ET byMartin Bigg Reveal /12 Comments

The refreshed Nissan Kicks looks more stylish and premium than its predecessor.

It's been three years since theNissan Kickslaunched in America as a new entry-level crossover toreplace the Jukeand attract younger buyers. Compared to the quirky Juke, the Kicks is a conventional-looking crossover that didn't quite live up to expectations. To rectify this, the 2021 Nissan Kicks was given afacelift in Japanearlier this year to freshen up the styling. This was a radical improvement, and thankfully these styling changes are being carried over to the US model along with a host of interior improvements and tech updates.

To give the Kicks a more striking design, the front fascia features a more aggressive bumper, a new Double V-motion grille, and new LED headlights. The styling changes continue at the back with a new rear bumper and an LED light bar connecting the taillights. These changes are more comprehensive than you would expect for a typical facelift, helping to make the Kicks look more upmarket.

Standard exterior equipment includes Intelligent Auto Headlights with adjustable sensitivity and timing and heated mirrors with integrated turn signals. Three new color options are available for the 2021 Kicks (Electric Blue Metallic, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat and Boulder Gray Pearl), along with three new two-tone paint combinations: Super Black/Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, Super Black/Electric Blue Metallic and Super Black/Boulder Gray Pearl.

里面,小屋也收到了comprehensive update, with new seat and door trim designs available for SV and SR trims and a new center console with an armrest. A seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support , Bluetooth, and a hands-free phone system.

Other standard equipment includes three USB ports, keyless entry, push button start, and easy fill tire alert. Upgrading to the SV trim adds 17-inch alloys, body-colored heated mirrors and door handles, roof rails, automatic temperature control, a larger eight-inch touchscreen, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, SiriusXM radio, remote engine start, and an additional USB port.

Topping the range is the sporty SR trim, which adds slimmer LED headlights, LED fog lights, black heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, SR seat fabric with interior trim and accents, front and rear bumpers with body-color inserts, a roof-mounted rear spoiler, dark chrome grille accents, and an Intelligent Around View Monitor.

A premium package is also available for the SR trim adding a Bose sound system with eight speakers, a heated steering wheel and front seats, a security system, a tonneau cover, and NissanConnect Service with a WiFi hotspot.

As standard, the 2021 Kicks is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque with continuous variable valve timing. A continuously variable Xtronic transmission sends power to the front wheels. For 2021, SV and SR trims come with intelligent cruise control and an electronic parking brake with auto hold. Pricing for the 2021 Nissan Kicks will be confirmed at a later date.

TheNissan Safety Shield 360also comes as standard, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, radar-based blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist and rear automatic braking.

Pricing and availability for the 2021 Nissan Kicks will be announced at a later date.