2025 Nissan Kicks Play Buyer’s Guide: Trim Levels Comparison

The Nissan Kicks continues to offer an exciting blend of style, practicality, and advanced technology, making it a compelling choice for urban drivers and adventure seekers alike. For 2025, this model has been renamed to …

2025 Nissan Kicks Play Buyer's Guide Trim Levels Comparison

The Nissan Kicks continues to offer an exciting blend of style, practicality, and advanced technology, making it a compelling choice for urban drivers and adventure seekers alike. For 2025, this model has been renamed to “Kicks Play,” while the original “Kicks” name has been transferred to a newly designed larger vehicle.

In this buyer’s guide, we’ll explore the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play trim levels, highlighting the key features and specifications that distinguish each variant. Whether you’re seeking a budget-friendly option or a fully equipped model, this guide will help you find the perfect match for your lifestyle.

Photo credit: LOVEdeeper

Engine and Power

The 2025 Nissan Kicks Play features a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an Xtronic CVT automatic transmission, this efficient powertrain delivers a smooth driving experience.

With its balance of performance and fuel efficiency, the Kicks Play excels in both city and highway driving. Here are the specifications for the 2025 model:

  • Engine Type: 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder
  • Power Output: 122 hp @ 6,300 rpm
  • Torque: 114 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
  • Transmission: Xtronic CVT
  • Drive Type: Front-wheel drive
  • Fuel Economy: 7.7/6.6/7.2 L/100 km (City/Highway/Combined)
  • Fuel Tank Capacity: 41 L
  • Seating Capacity: 5 passengers
  • Cargo Volume (behind rear seats): 716 L
  • Cargo Volume (seats folded): 915 L
  • Length: 4,295 mm
  • Width: 1,760 mm
  • Height: 1,586 mm
  • Wheelbase: 2,620 mm
  • Ground Clearance: 178 mm
Photo credit: Cars and Driver

2025 Nissan Kicks Play Core Features

S

icon phone connect

Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

icon blind spot

Blind Spot & Lane Departure Warning

icon back sensor

Rear Sonar w/ Rear Automatic Braking

Entry-Level

The S FWD trim represents the perfect starting point for budget-conscious buyers who still want modern connectivity and safety features. With its comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies and smartphone integration capabilities, this trim level proves that ‘basic’ doesn’t mean bare-bones in the 2025 Kicks lineup.

SV

icon heated seat

Heated Front Seats

icon steering wheel

Heated Leather Steering Wheel

icon remote start

Remote Engine Start

Premium Comfort

Step up to the SV FWD trim for an elevated driving experience that focuses on comfort and convenience. With its larger touchscreen, heated seats, and intelligent cruise control, this trim level delivers a more refined and sophisticated daily driving experience, perfect for those who appreciate the finer touches.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks Play Trim Levels

Below is a detailed comparison of features and equipment across the different trim levels of the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play, where each trim builds upon the previous one. We have created a comparison of the two trims in a separate post—check out our more detailed comparison of S vs SV and their actual physical differences. For the most accurate listing of features and pricing, be sure to visit Nissan’s official website.

S FWD

Includes features on all trims plus:

  • Cloth seat trim
  • 7ʺ colour touchscreen display audio system
  • Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Traditional Cruise Control
  • Integrated Key with remote keyless entry
  • Rear Sonar w/ Rear Automatic Braking
  • Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
  • Blind Spot Warning
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • 16″ Steel wheels with wheel covers
Starting from $25,385
More Details
  • Push Button Ignition
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System with Easy-Fill Tire Alert
  • Heated outside mirrors
  • Manual air conditioning with microfilter
  • Temporary Spare Tire
  • Halogen Headlamps
  • Black exterior door handles
  • Driver seat armrest
  • 3 USB-A ports

SV FWD

Includes S AWD features plus:

  • 8ʺ Touchscreen Display
  • 7″ Dash Display
  • Heated front seats
  • Heated Leather Steering Wheel
  • Intelligent Cruise Control
  • Remote Engine Start
  • Silver roof rails
  • Upgraded Interior Design
  • 17ʺ alloy wheels
Starting from $27,985
More Details
  • Nissan Intelligent Key
  • Intelligent Driver Alertness
  • Automatic Temperature Control
  • SiriusXM Radio with advanced audio features
  • 3 USB-A ports and 1 USB-C port
  • Chrome interior door handles
  • Centre console armrest with storage
  • Body-colour outside door handles
  • Black fascia accents on front and rear bumpers

Standard Features

All trim levels of the 2025 Nissan Kicks come with standard features that provide essential safety and connectivity benefits. The following features are included across all trims:

  • RearView Monitor
  • High Beam Assist
  • Intelligent Auto Headlights
  • Hill Start Assist
  • Auto up/down for all windows
  • Power door locks with speed sensing and auto-lock
  • Rear passenger under-seat heater ducts
  • Power windows with one-touch auto-up/down feature
  • Tilt and telescoping steering column
  • Intermittent rear window wiper
  • 6-way manual driver’s seat
  • 60/40 2nd-row split-folding seat
  • 12-volt DC power outlet
  • Audio system with 6 speakers
  • Bluetooth hands-free phone system
  • Streaming audio via Bluetooth
  • Siri Eyes Free
  • Vehicle Dynamic Control
  • Traction Control System

More About This Model

Generations of the Nissan Kicks in Canada

The Nissan Kicks debuted in 2018, featuring a naturally aspirated 1.6L engine that produced 122 horsepower, paired with a CVT transmission. A mid-cycle refresh in 2021 brought a larger V-motion grille, redesigned LED headlights, and interior upgrades including a new 8-inch touchscreen and enhanced materials.

In 2025, the Kicks lineup split into two distinct vehicles in Canada: a new second-generation model called the “Kicks” and the first-generation model renamed as the “Kicks Play.” While sharing the Kicks heritage, these two vehicles serve different market segments:

2025 Nissan Kicks Play

Original Generation
  • Size: Maintains the original Kicks’ compact dimensions
  • Platform: Continues on the first-generation platform
  • Engine: 1.6L turbocharged engine with 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque
  • Features: Carries over most features from the previous Kicks
  • Perfect as a: Value-oriented crossover

2025 Nissan Kicks

New Generation
  • Size: Larger overall dimensions
  • Platform: Built on Nissan’s newer platform
  • Engine: More powerful turbocharged engine with higher torque output
  • Features: Updated technology package and more premium interior materials
  • Perfect as a: Upscale compact crossover

These Kicks variants cater to different needs: The Kicks Play offers a budget-conscious option for those seeking a compact crossover with higher ground clearance than a sedan, while the new Kicks delivers a more premium experience with enhanced styling and storage capacity.

Competition Comparison

2025 Honda HR-V

  • Kicks Play is better: Better fuel economy, lower starting price, more standard safety features
  • HR-V is better : HR-V offers available AWD, more cargo space, and higher resale value

2025 Mazda CX-30

  • Kicks Play is better: More affordable, better city fuel economy, easier to park
  • CX-30 is better: CX-30 has more power, premium interior materials, and standard AWD

2025 Hyundai Kona

  • Kicks Play is better: Better fuel efficiency, more standard features, larger cargo area
  • Kona is better: Kona offers AWD option, more powerful engine choices, and sportier handling

2025 Kia Seltos

  • Kicks Play is better: Lower starting price, better fuel economy, more standard safety features
  • Seltos is better: Seltos has available AWD, more powerful engine options, and larger interior

2025 Subaru Crosstrek

  • Kicks Play is better: Better fuel economy in city driving, lower price point, more modern tech features
  • Crosstrek is better: Crosstrek has standard AWD, better ground clearance, and stronger off-road capability

2025 Ford EcoSport

  • Kicks Play is better: Better fuel economy, more modern design, superior technology features
  • EcoSport is better: EcoSport offers available AWD and traditional swing-out rear door

Note: Comparisons are based on base model specifications and standard features. Actual differences may vary depending on trim levels and optional equipment chosen.

Conclusion

Looking for something that’s not as big as the Nissan Rogue or new Kicks? Want to swap your Sentra or Corolla for something that sits higher up? The 2025 Kicks Play might be just what you’re after!

This little crossover packs a punch with its turbo engine and comes loaded with cool features across all its trim levels – giving you both style and practicality in one neat package. Plus, with its fresh looks, solid safety tech, and great gas mileage, it really stands out from the crowd. Whether you’re zipping around the city or hauling the family around, the Kicks Play is definitely worth checking out!

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