Generation history
Nissan Kicks generations and next redesign.
The Nissan Kicks has been through 2 generations, starting in 2016 and 2024. The gaps were 8 years, an average of 8.0. The pace has been steady. The current generation began in 2024. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2031 through 2033, centered on 2032. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The second-generation Kicks debuted in the U.S. on 22 March 2024 for the 2025 model year. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Nissan Kicks model page.
Every generation
The Nissan Kicks, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|
| First generation | P15/D15 | 2016–2024 | Originally unveiled as a concept in 2014, the Nissan Kicks was showcased across Brazil during summer 2016 to promote the Summer Olympics, of which Nissan was a lead sponsor. |
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| Second generation | P16 | 2024–present | The second-generation Kicks debuted in the U.S. on 22 March 2024 for the 2025 model year. |
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The Nissan Kicks spent 8.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 2 years old. Treat 2031 to 2033 as a range, not a date.
Source: Nissan Kicks (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Nissan Kicks model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each Nissan Kicks generation changed.
First generation, 2016 to 2024
Originally unveiled as a concept in 2014, the Nissan Kicks was showcased across Brazil during summer 2016 to promote the Summer Olympics, of which Nissan was a lead sponsor. The crossover went on sale in China in July 2017, replacing the Livina C-Gear. The Kicks made the North American debut on 29 November 2017 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and was slated to be on sale in June 2018. Imported from Mexico, it replaced the Juke and also indirectly replaced the Versa Note as a subcompact hatchback offering in the region.
Second generation, 2024 to today
The second-generation Kicks debuted in the U.S. on 22 March 2024 for the 2025 model year. The model is 71 mm (2.8 in) longer, 41 mm (1.6 in) wider and 20 mm (0.8 in) taller, with around 50 mm (2.0 in) longer wheelbase. The U.S. market model is powered by a larger 2.0-litre petrol engine, which is 13 kW (17 hp; 18 PS) more powerful than the 1.6-litre petrol engine used by the previous generation Kicks. An Xtronic branded CVT is the only available choice in the US market.
Generation notes adapted from Nissan Kicks (Wikipedia).
Today's Nissan Kicks
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
Nissan Kicks at a glance
- Production
- 2016–present
- Model years
- 2018–present (North America)
- Class
- Subcompact crossover SUV (B)
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Predecessor
- Nissan Juke#F15, Nissan Juke (F15) (Americas & Asia), Nissan Livina#first, Nissan Livina C-Gear/X-Gear (China & Taiwan)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Nissan Kicks overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 3 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Kicks vehicles. A software error in the combination meter may cause the screen display to go partially or fully blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor… Consequence: A partial or blank screen display will not show critical safety information such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
- March 2026, Seats. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Kicks and Sentra vehicles. The hook bracket of the front seat frames may be insufficiently welded, which can cause the front seat frames to become loose. As such, these vehicles fail to comply… Consequence: A loose seat may not restrain the occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- January 2026, Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with… Consequence: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Nissan Kicks, most often about unknown or other (7), visibility/wiper (6), electrical system (5).