Nissan has taken the wraps off its redesigned Kicks subcompact crossover, which brings sharper looks into a larger package and adds all-wheel drive as an option across the lineup for the first time. North American sales will begin late this summer, though you can take an early look at the new Kicks during the New York Auto Show this week.

On the outside, this new Kicks takes on a much more athletic appearance than its predecessor. The crossover's boxier profile is paired with slab-like sheetmetal for a much cleaner look, and it's adorned with a stylish two-tone floating roof and distinctive sneaker-inspired detailing on the black plastic cladding. Up front, Nissan's V-motion grille is no longer present––the brand has previously stated it would get rid of that element––but a faint silhouette of it is seen deep within the wide front grille, which features horizontal slats that flow into a set of stacked LEDs just below the main headlight units. At the rear, the taillights continue the trend set by the front end, with a set of stacked horizontal LEDs surrounded by a black finish.

While the long wheelbase might make the Kicks look smaller than before, it is actually larger in all dimensions. The redesigned SUV measures a total of 171.9 inches in length, 70.9 inches wide, and up to 64.2 inches tall, which represent respective increases of 2.8, 1.6, and 0.8 inches. The Kicks also adds just over an inch in between the wheels, though it varies slightly depending on the drivetrain (104.6 inches for FWD models, 104.9 inches for AWD models).

The slight growth spurt pays dividends inside, where the Kicks gains an extra 1.5 to 1.7 inches of shoulder room and 0.9 inches of additional rear legroom.

The cabin is not only more spacious, but far more modern as well. The Kicks adds a standard digital gauge cluster behind its new flat-bottom steering wheel, and it is joined with an identical display for the main infotainment. Entry-level models feature a pair of 7-inch displays, while more expensive trims jump to huge 12.3-inch displays. Elsewhere, there are up to four USB-C ports, available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional wireless charger. The remainder of the interior benefits from some new materials and trim elements, though buyers might not be happy with the addition of touch-sensitive controls for the climate.

Changes occur under the resculpted hood as well, as the Kicks throws away its old 1.6 liter engine in favor of a new 2.0 liter four-cylinder. The naturally-aspirated powertrain allows for a slight bump in power, with 139 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque representing increases of 17 hp and 26 lb-ft. Power is sent to the wheels through an updated CVT automatic transmission, and while front-wheel drive is the default configuration, the Kicks offers all-wheel drive as an option across the board for the first time. Opting for AWD will also add a new “Snow” driving mode.

The 2025 Nissan Kicks will be offered in three different trims––the S, SV, and SR. Extra equipment can be added to these models with a selection of two Premium packages, which add a panoramic sunroof and a 10-speaker Bose sound system, among other features. Interestingly, the optional Bose system even mounts speakers onto the front headrests, which is usually only found in luxury vehicles such as the latest Infiniti QX80.

Deliveries for the new Kicks will kick off (see what we did there?) late this summer for customers in the U.S. and Canada. Pricing won't be announced until closer to launch, though things will undoubtedly surpass the current model's $20,790 MSRP.

Image Credits: Nissan