As crossovers continue to rob market share from sedans, they typically face three main headwinds. Sedans tend to be less expensive, more fuel-efficient, and nicer to drive than comparably sized crossovers. It's rare for a crossover to match or beat a sedan on all three fronts. But the 2019 Nissan Kicks comes impressively close.
The subcompact Kicks offers generous standard equipment at the exceptional base price of $18,540, just $60 more than the equivalent Nissan Sentra sedan. The Kicks achieves an EPA-estimated 33 miles per gallon in mixed driving, beating the Sentra’s 32 mpg. And the Kicks delivers a pleasant driving experience, particularly in crowded city streets, where drivers can best appreciate its agile handling and petite dimensions. Some downsides do weigh against the Kicks, but keep reading to see if this efficient and affordable subcompact crossover is for you.