DecodedCars2018 Nissan Kicks
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 33 combined · 31 city / 36 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 33 MPG combined — 21% better than the average 2018 midsize car (27.2 MPG).
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Nissan Kicks is a midsize car offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 33 MPG combined (31 city / 36 highway), 21% better than the 2018 midsize car average of 27.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 86 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kicks | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 / 36 / 33 | +21% | $2,050 | 272 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 Nissan Kicks.
Similar 2018 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Kicks (this car) | 33 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2018 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 8 |
| 2018 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2018 Mazda 3 | 32 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Subaru Impreza | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
Recalls (1)
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 12, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V654000 · 1,228,830 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Not every 2018 Nissan Kicks is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Nissan Kicks buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 23 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 23 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 17 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 6,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Kicks. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Kicks years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Kicks | 31 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Kicks | 31 | 172 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
| 2025 Kicks | 33 | 172 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 42 |
| 2024 Kicks | 33 | 169.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 39 |
| 2023 Kicks | 33 | 169.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 18 |
| 2022 Kicks | 33 | 169.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 24 |
| 2021 Kicks | 33 | 169.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 78 |
| 2020 Kicks | 33 | 169.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 98 |
| 2019 Kicks | 33 | 169.3 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 134 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →