2026 Nissan Kicks SR AWD Review

The Nissan Kicks has always been an appealing urban runabout, but the 2026 Kicks SR AWD that I’ve had this week finally feels like the version the brand should have led with when it redesigned the model last year. Nissan didn’t reinvent the wheel for 2026, but it made several meaningful upgrades that address complaints from first-year buyers while expanding the Kicks’ usefulness in bad weather and on rough pavement. With standard all-wheel drive now available on the SR trim, improved noise isolation, and revised tuning for both ride and throttle response, the smallest Nissan SUV steps more confidently into a very crowded segment.

Exterior   

The styling carries over from 2025, which is a good thing. The Kicks still looks sharp, athletic, and more expensive than it is. Nissan added two new colors for 2026—Everest White Pearl and Copper Ridge Metallic—and both look terrific, especially with the SR’s contrasting black roof and exterior trim.  My tester is Arctic Blue and it looks awesome, too.  It has the black roof and 19” alloy wheels which not only look great, but it makes this Kicks sit up taller and the visibility better.

The biggest mechanical news, of course, is the availability of all-wheel drive on the SR. It is not intended for off-roading, but it gives the Kicks significantly more confidence in rain, slush, and loose surfaces. The ride quality also benefits from minor suspension retuning that better controls body motion without making the SUV feel stiff.

Performance 

Under the hood, Nissan stuck with the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an Xtronic CVT, but drivability is improved thanks to updated programming. Throttle response is smoother in city traffic, and the simulated shift logic makes highway merging feel more natural and the CVT less annoying. You are getting 141-horses and 140 pound-feet of torque. 

There are drive modes, Sport mode makes it feel like more horses than it actually has.  Other drive modes include Standard, Eco, and Snow.

Interior 

Inside, Nissan left the overall layout alone but refined several touchpoints. The 2026 SR gets upgraded seat foam, slightly thicker acoustic glass, and a new steering-assist switchgear arrangement that is easier to use. The cabin feels familiar if you drove the 2025 model, but it is unquestionably quieter this time around. The SR continues to offer supportive sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and tasteful contrast stitching. Cargo room remains a selling point, with excellent flexibility for the size. Rear-seat passengers still enjoy more headroom than many competitors, and the wide-opening doors make life easier in parking spaces.

Technology remains a highlight. The 12.3-inch center screen carries over, but Nissan updated the system software for quicker boot-up and more intuitive icon placement, and the difference is noticeable. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the SR’s digital gauge cluster now features better graphics and a crisper layout. The 2026 also debuts enhanced voice controls and improved Wi-Fi hotspot performance. A premium Bose Personal Plus audio system is still optional and still worth adding if you enjoy music.

It comes with best-in-class available rear cargo space with total capacity of up to 30 cubic feet with the seats raised or 60 cubic feet with them lowered.  Back seat leg and headroom are surprising.  Back seat passengers get two USB-C ports and a pull down armrest.

Standard Equipment and Options

The 2026 Kicks SR comes well equipped, with LED headlights, alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, NissanConnect, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote keyless entry with push-button start, and a six-speaker audio system. It also includes Siri Eyes Free, a connected garage door opener, roof rails, and Nissan’s latest Zero Gravity front-seat design for improved comfort.

As usual, the review vehicle they sent me is loaded up and has the $1,800 Premium package which is a huge power panoramic moon roof, a 10-speaker Bose sound system with speakers in the headrests, and a heated steering wheel.  $300 gets the Cold Weather package, which is heated front seats, heated mirrors, and rear seat air conditioning ducts. For $400 you get the Interior Electronics Package which is 20-color ambient lighting, frameless auto-dimming rear mirror, and door pocket lights.

$790 buys you the Illumination Package, which is illuminated kick plates and cargo scuff plates.  The color and the black top together run $800, it has $300 in floor mats and a cargo mat, $590 is for illuminated ground lighting with the Nissan logo, $480 gives you an illuminated headliner, and finally the 19” wheels add $520.

Safety   

On the safety front, you get a full suite of Nissan Safety Shield 360 features as standard, with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and automatic high beams.

It also adds driver-attention monitoring and an upgraded rearview camera system, giving the SR trim a comprehensive level of active safety for this segment.

Fuel economy & Pricing

Fuel economy remains strong, one of the core reasons buyers gravitate to the Kicks, besides it’s attractive price point. Even with AWD, real-world numbers should stay competitive with the front-drive subcompact class at 27 city and 34 highway. The Kicks continues to shine as a budget-friendly commuter with just enough personality and refinement to feel more premium than the sticker might imply.

Speaking of sticker price, this one is coming in at $35,515 but there is a whole lot of fluff that can be cut out.  Bear in mind the base price, even with all-wheel drive is just over $28,000 and Nissan has kept incentives very strong on the Kicks.

Ride and Drive

On the road, the 2026 Kicks SR AWD feels like a more polished vehicle. Wind and road noise have been noticeably reduced, the steering tracks straighter, and the suspension no longer gets upset by broken pavement the way last year’s model sometimes did. None of the changes are dramatic on their own, but together they make this model-year update feel purposeful.

Verdict 

If you liked the redesigned 2025 Kicks but wished Nissan had taken a few extra steps, the 2026 version answers that wish list. AWD availability, cabin quietness improvements, and software revisions all make it a more complete entry in the subcompact SUV market. It remains affordable, stylish, highly maneuverable, and surprisingly versatile for its footprint. Nissan didn’t overhaul the Kicks—they refined it. And in this price range, thoughtful refinement goes a long way