In an interesting move, Nissan rolls out its redesigned 2025 Kicks crossover built on a completely new platform, but will continue to sell the old variant under the name Kicks Play. But there’s a catch—it’s only available in Canada.
The 2025 Nissan Kicks Play will sell alongside its larger, more powerful, and considerably better-looking next-gen Kicks sibling as an affordable, fuel-efficient entry that builds on the popular old platform, starting at around only $16,000 (or CAD$22,598, to be exact). Nissan’s decision to keep it north of the border might leave U.S. crossover fans curious—and maybe a bit envious. Or, with so many compact crossover options these days, they simply won’t care. Time will tell.
Nissan U.S.’s Josh Clifton, Senior Manager of Product Communications, tells us, “Through the end of the year, the 2024 Nissan Kicks will continue to be sold in the U.S market alongside the all-new 2025 Kicks. We continue to listen to our customers and offer exciting products in all segments of the market, but we have nothing further to add at this time.”
The Old Kicks With A New 2025 Nameplate
Nissan
The 2025 Nissan Kicks Play offers a budget-friendly, fuel-efficient option for Canadian drivers with two trim levels: S and SV. With a best-in-class fuel economy of around 32.7 MPG combined (or 7.2 L/100 km combined), the Kicks Play is built for economical ownership without skimping on features. Both trims come standard with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance technologies for added peace of mind.
In the entry-level S trim, essentials like cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three USB ports, Easy-Fill Tire Alert, and 16-inch wheels make for a well-rounded package. Stepping up to the SV trim brings added conveniences, including 17-inch alloy wheels, silver-painted roof rails, Intelligent Cruise Control, an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, a USB Type-C port, Remote Engine Start, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control, and Rear Door Alert.
2025 Nissan Kicks Play Vs Kicks: Similar Names But That’s About It
While the 2025 Kicks Play offers a solid entry into the compact crossover market, it’s built on the previous generation’s foundation. In contrast, the all-new 2025 Kicks is built on a redesigned platform, offering enhanced dimensions, ground clearance, and an updated suspension system for improved dynamic performance. Furthermore, the new Kicks offers an all-wheel-drive option and a more powerful 2.0L engine, whereas the Kicks Play is only available in front-wheel drive with a more modest powertrain, making it a lighter and more economical alternative to the fully revamped 2025 Kicks.
Styling and spec differences
2025 Nissan Kicks:
2025 Nissan Kicks Play:
Spec
2025 Kicks
2025 Kicks Play (S, SV)
Engine
2.0L 4-cylinder
1.6L 4-cylinder
Horsepower
141 HP
122 HP
Torque
140 lb-ft
114 lb-ft
Transmission
Xtronic CVT (upgraded CVT)
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
Drivetrain
Available All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Platform
New B-segment platform
Previous-generation platform
The base price plus Nissan’s shipping charge gets you an entry-level Kicks S for the price of a ham sandwich.
TopSpeed’s Take
So, why the decision to only sell this in Canada? We can only speculate, and the Kicks Play coming to the U.S. isn’t entirely out of the question. The Canadian market often shows a strong preference for budget-friendly, fuel-efficient vehicles in the compact crossover segment, especially with rising fuel costs. The Kicks Play, with its emphasis on economy and affordability, meets this demand well.
Or maybe Nissan may want to keep the U.S. focus on the new, fully updated 2025 Kicks, particularly as the compact crossover segment in the U.S. is highly competitive, with a stronger demand for the latest technology and performance upgrades, such as AWD and larger engines. Ultimately, the U.S. and Canada are distinct markets with unique regulations and consumer demands. By offering the Kicks Play exclusively in Canada, Nissan can better meet local needs while streamlining development and marketing. Again, time will tell here.
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Publish date : 2024-10-28 02:31:00
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