If you’re hunting for a used subcompact crossover that doesn’t drain your bank account every time you hit the gas station, you’ve probably seen a dozen listings for the 2018 Nissan Kicks S. It’s everywhere. When Nissan launched this thing back in 2018, it was a bold move. They basically killed off the funky, turbocharged Juke and replaced it with something more sensible, more cavernous, and—honestly—a lot more affordable.
The "S" is the entry point. It’s the base. In a world where car commercials show off $40,000 SUVs with panoramic sunroofs and leather everything, the Kicks S is a reality check. It’s a tool. It was designed to be the "first new car" for people who were tired of the "Check Engine" light on their hand-me-down sedans. But here’s the thing: seven years later, the used market is flooded with them. Is it a hidden bargain or just a cheap box on wheels?
The Elephant in the Room: That 1.6-Liter Engine
Let’s be real. Nobody is buying a 2018 Nissan Kicks S to win drag races.
Under the hood, you get a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. It pushes out 125 horsepower. That’s it. In an era where even some lawn tractors feel like they have more pep, the Kicks can feel a bit... relaxed. On paper, 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque sounds like a recipe for a stressful highway merge. And yeah, if you’re trying to pass a semi-truck on a steep uphill grade in Colorado, you’re going to hear that CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) groan. It’s loud. It’s buzzy.
But there’s a flip side.
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Because the Kicks is incredibly light—weighing in at under 2,700 pounds—that tiny engine doesn't have much mass to move. Around town? It’s actually kind of zippy. It darts through traffic better than a heavy Rogue or Murano. Nissan engineers basically gambled that most city drivers care more about 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway than they do about 0-60 times. Based on how many of these I see in grocery store parking lots, they were right.
Why the S Trim Is Weirdly Better Than You’d Expect
Normally, "Base Model" is code for "You’re going to regret not spending more." With the 2018 Nissan Kicks S, that wasn't entirely true.
Nissan was smart. They knew they were competing with the Kia Soul and the Hyundai Kona. To win, they had to pack the S trim with stuff people actually want. For instance, even the cheapest 2018 Kicks came standard with Automatic Emergency Braking. In 2018, that was a big deal for a car in this price bracket. You also got three USB ports. Think about that. Most luxury cars back then were still stingy with the plugs, but the Kicks knew its audience was probably traveling with three friends who all needed to charge their iPhones.
You don't get the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in the S trim, though. That’s the heartbreak.
The S came with a 7-inch touchscreen, but it’s the basic version. If you want the smartphone integration, you have to look at the SV or SR trims. Or, honestly, just buy a $300 aftermarket head unit and swap it out. The dashboard layout is simple enough that it’s a pretty easy weekend project.
The seats are cloth. They’re fine. They aren't the "Zero Gravity" seats Nissan raves about in the Altima, but they won't ruin your back on a two-hour drive. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, which sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many cheap cars skip the telescoping part. It makes a massive difference in finding a comfortable driving position if you’re tall.
The Cargo Space Magic Trick
If you look at the 2018 Nissan Kicks S from the outside, it looks tiny. It’s a subcompact. It’s basically a Versa Note that went to the gym and put on a pair of hiking boots.
But open the hatch.
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You get 25.3 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up. That is massive for this class. To put that in perspective, the Toyota C-HR—a direct competitor from the same year—has about 19 cubic feet. The Kicks swallows strollers, bulk grocery hauls, and camping gear without breaking a sweat.
The floor is deep. It’s one of those designs where you wonder if there’s a secret compartment because it just keeps going down. The downside? The rear seats don’t fold completely flat. There’s a significant "step" between the trunk floor and the seatbacks. If you’re trying to slide a flat-pack IKEA dresser in there, you’re going to be fighting that ledge. It’s annoying, but for most people, the sheer vertical height of the trunk makes up for it.
What Usually Breaks? (The Honest Truth)
We have to talk about the CVT. Nissan’s Xtronic transmissions have a reputation. If you spend five minutes on any car forum, you’ll see people acting like the transmission is a ticking time bomb.
Here is the nuanced reality. By 2018, Nissan had actually improved their CVT designs significantly compared to the disasters of 2012-2015. However, they still require maintenance. If you buy a used 2018 Nissan Kicks S and the previous owner never changed the CVT fluid, you’re rolling the dice. These transmissions hate heat and they hate old, dirty fluid.
- The 30,000-mile rule: Many mechanics suggest changing the CVT fluid every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, regardless of what the "lifetime" manual says.
- Sensor issues: Some owners report quirky radar sensors for the emergency braking system. If the sensor gets blocked by snow, dirt, or even a heavy rainstorm, it might throw a warning light on your dash. Usually, a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth fixes it.
- Suspension: It’s a light car. The struts aren't heavy-duty. If you live somewhere with massive potholes (looking at you, Northeast), expect to hear some clunking from the front end around the 60,000-mile mark.
Driving Dynamics: It’s Not an SUV
Don’t let the plastic cladding and the slightly raised ride height fool you. The 2018 Nissan Kicks S is front-wheel drive only.
There is no AWD option. Not in the S, not in the SR, not anywhere.
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If you live in a place where it snows three feet at a time, you need to invest in a good set of winter tires (like Bridgestone Blizzaks or Michelin X-Ice). With the right rubber, the Kicks handles snow just fine because it’s light and predictable. But if you’re expecting it to crawl over rocks or power through deep mud, you’re looking at the wrong vehicle.
The steering is light. Maybe too light for some. It feels like a video game. You can turn the wheel with one finger, which is great for parallel parking in tight city spots, but it feels a little vague at 70 mph on the interstate. You’ll find yourself making small corrections quite a bit. It’s not fatiguing, exactly, but it’s definitely not a "planted" sports sedan feel.
The Fuel Economy Wins Every Time
This is where the Kicks earns its keep. In 2018, getting 36 mpg on the highway without a hybrid battery was impressive. Today, it’s still impressive.
If you’re a commuter, the 2018 Nissan Kicks S is a financial cheat code. It runs on regular 87-octane gas. It has a 10.8-gallon tank. That sounds small, but because the car is so efficient, you’re still getting over 300 miles of range.
I’ve talked to owners who consistently average 33 mpg in mixed driving. When you compare that to a larger SUV that might struggle to hit 22 mpg, the math adds up fast. Over a year of driving 15,000 miles, the Kicks could save you $800 to $1,000 in fuel costs alone. That covers a lot of oil changes and tires.
Common Misconceptions About the S Trim
People think the "S" is a penalty box.
"Oh, it probably has manual windows." No, it doesn't.
"It probably doesn't have cruise control." Wrong, it has full steering-wheel-mounted controls.
"The speakers probably sound like a tin can." Okay, they aren't the Bose UltraNearfield speakers found in the top-trim SR, but for a base system, the six-speaker setup in the S is surprisingly punchy.
The main thing you’re missing out on—besides the CarPlay—is the fancy stuff. No alloy wheels (you get 16-inch steel wheels with covers), no LED headlights, and no roof rails. But here’s a secret: steel wheels are actually better for city driving. If you hit a curb, a hubcap costs $20 to replace. An alloy rim costs $400.
The Safety Factor
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2018 Kicks high marks. It was a Top Safety Pick when equipped with the LED headlights (which the S doesn't have), but the actual crash structures are the same across all trims.
It has seven airbags. It has the aforementioned Automatic Emergency Braking. For a budget car, it’s a fortress. Parents often buy these for high school or college kids because it’s hard to find this level of safety tech in a used car under $15,000.
Buying Advice: What to Check Before You Sign
If you're looking at a 2018 Nissan Kicks S today, you're looking at a car that’s likely out of its basic warranty. You need to be smart.
- Check the CVT Service History: If there is no record of a transmission fluid change and the car has 80,000 miles, walk away. Or, at the very least, budget for an immediate service and use it as a bargaining chip.
- Test the AC: These systems are generally reliable, but the Kicks has a relatively small compressor. Make sure it blows ice cold within a minute. If it struggles, it might need a recharge or have a leak in the condenser.
- Look at the Tires: Because the Kicks uses a somewhat narrow tire size (205/60R16), some owners put cheap, off-brand tires on them to save money. This ruins the ride quality and makes the car much noisier. If the car is sitting on "LingLong" specials, factor in the cost of a decent set of Continental or Yokohamas.
- Listen for the "Whine": During your test drive, turn the radio off. Accelerate from a stop to 40 mph. If you hear a high-pitched whining sound that gets louder with speed, that’s a sign of a failing CVT bearing.
The 2018 Nissan Kicks S isn't a dream car. It’s an "I have a job and a life and I need to get there without drama" car. It’s for the person who wants the height of a crossover but the footprint of a hatchback. It’s for the person who values a 5-year-old safety sensor over a leather-wrapped dash.
Actionable Insights for Potential Buyers
- Skip the Dealer Add-ons: If you're buying used, don't let them sell you "nitrogen-filled tires" or "paint protection" on a 2018 S trim. It’s an economy car; keep it economical.
- Invest in a Smartphone Mount: Since the S doesn't have navigation or CarPlay, get a high-quality vent or dash mount. The interior plastics are textured, so suction cups can be hit-or-miss.
- Insurance Check: Call your agent before buying. Sometimes subcompacts have slightly higher rates because they are frequently involved in city fender-benders.
- Maintenance Schedule: Stick to the "Severe" maintenance schedule if you do a lot of stop-and-go driving. It’s cheaper to change oil and trans fluid early than it is to replace hardware later.
Ultimately, the Kicks S is about managing expectations. It’s slow, it’s front-wheel drive, and it’s a bit plasticky inside. But it’s also incredibly efficient, remarkably spacious, and surprisingly safe. If you find one with a documented service history, it’s one of the most logical used car purchases you can make in the current market. Keep the CVT fluid fresh, don't try to race any Subarus, and it'll likely serve you well for years.