Nissan Kicks Safety Rating: Does It Have What It Takes?

Catrina C
Dec 22, 2020

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is a charming SUV with good, economical features. However, when you’re looking to buy a new or used car, it is important to look at how safe the vehicle is.

How safe is the 2020 Nissan Kicks?

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is rated at only four out of five stars by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after going through a series of crash tests, but it received a “G” for good rating at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Red 2020 Nissan Kicks From Front-Driver Side

Combined with 4.4 out of five expert review scores and 4.63 out of five consumer reviews, it’s a good buy. In this article, we’ll talk about the safety ratings and other factors that will help you decide if this should be your next vehicle.

2020 Nissan Kicks Safety Rating – Crash Test Results

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Test/Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives an overall score of “G” to the Nissan Kicks in 2020. The small overlap front: driver-side test ranked “G,” while the small overlap front: passenger side also received a “G” score. In crashworthiness, all tests passed at “G.”

It is worth noting that headlights make a difference in crash avoidance and mitigation. In some trims, the vehicle scores “acceptable,” while in others it scores “poor.” LATCH ease of use is ranked “G.”

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Test/Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration performed a series of crash tests and rated the 2020 Nissan Kicks at four out of five stars overall. The front driver side, in frontal crashes, ranks four out of five stars, while the front passenger side ranks three out of four stars.

Interestingly, the overall side crash rating was higher at five out of five stars, regardless of the passengers’ locations in the vehicle.

The rollover star rating is four out of five stars, and the rollover risk is notated at 15.5%.

Other Reputable Tests/Results

At J.D. Power and the NADA Guides, The Nissan Kicks has not yet been rated by their team. Kelley Blue Book ranked the 2019 model and noted that it does have a 360-degree around-view camera and rear-cross-traffic safety alerts.

The vehicle received four out of five stars on their site (linked to the NHTSA). The 2019 model was ranked second in competition with the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer and 2020 Hyundai Venue, both competitors in a similar market.

Nissan Kicks Safety Rating – The Tech Behind it

Forward Collision Warning

Car Collision Detection System

In vehicles with forward collision warning, the forward sensors keep track of the vehicle in front of yours. The distance between the vehicles is calculated. If the distance shortens too quickly, the system alerts you.

By doing this, the goal is to give the driver enough time to steer or brake to avoid a collision.

Lane Departure Warning

Lane departure warning uses a built-in camera system to track where your vehicle is traveling within the lane. If you start to drift out of the lane without using a turn signal, then the system turns on and alerts you to the drift.

The goal is to prevent accidents caused by drowsy driving, distractions or other causes.

Crash Imminent Braking

Crash imminent braking comes standard with the 2020 Nissan Kicks. This braking is effective in slowing down or stopping a vehicle when a crash is likely to occur without intervention.

If a driver takes no action, the brake is automatically applied. The goal is to reduce the damage caused in a crash or to avoid one completely.

Dynamic Brake Support

Dynamic brake support is an automated system that helps you brake more effectively in emergency situations. If you brake your vehicle, but you don’t brake hard enough to completely avoid a crash, then the system kicks in to brake harder.

The system supplements the braking drivers already do to assist in crash avoidance.

Here’s What Other People Also Ask:

Is the 2020 Nissan Kicks a good car?

In the subcompact SUV class, the 2020 Nissan Kicks is considered to be of good value. It has a low price with good safety features. Its fuel economy is excellent, and it does have plenty of cargo space.

Keep in mind that other rival vehicles may be more powerful, accelerate more quickly or have better safety ratings.

What’s special about the 2020 Nissan Kicks?

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is special thanks to its amazing EPA fuel-economy ratings. It got 37-mpg results in the 200-mile real-world highway fuel-economy test. Its own results tied with some more expensive vehicles, like the Nissan Sentra and Toyota C-HR.

Overall, the Nissan Kicks gets the fuel economy of an economy vehicle while retaining the benefits of an SUV.

Is the 2020 Nissan Kicks a car or SUV?

The 2020 Nissan Kicks is considered to be a subcompact SUV, but it’s reasonable to argue that it may not be. It does not have available all-wheel drive, which some argue is necessary in any real SUVs.

It does, however, have seven inches of clearance over the ground, setting it higher than most traditional cars. When looking at competitors, it is compared against crossover vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles.

avatar Catrina C
Catrina C. is a former auto auction block clerk and current freelance automotive industry writer. She enjoys writing, taking long trips in her Ford and providing solid automotive advice.
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