Should You Choose the Nissan Kicks Over the Sentra?

You deserve to have it all when you're out on the road, from high fuel economy figures and a comfortable interior to sharp looks that are sure to turn heads wherever you go. That's why we're proud to offer the versatile Nissan Kicks for sale here at Rusty Wallace Nissan. This subcompact SUV has everything you need at a reasonable price that won't break the bank, and it's all new for the 2025 model year, with a new look, a larger interior, and more features than before. Since every driver has a unique mix of priorities and budget, the Kicks comes in a variety of trim levels that offer different features at different price points. No matter who you are, one of these trims is sure to be right for you. Today, we're going to walk you through all of the trims available on the 2025 Kicks to help you make an informed decision that will banish buyer's remorse and let you level up your experience behind the wheel. more FWD & AWD Before we dive into the trim levels, let's take a quick look at the other major choice you have when buying a Kicks: whether to get front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). AWD is a new option for the Kicks, debuting for the 2025 model year redesign and giving drivers even more ways to customize their rides. Both FWD and AWD are options across the board so that you can get either of them on any trim level. Front-wheel drive is the more affordable option, both because all-wheel drive adds around $1.5k to the starting price of the Kicks and because it's slightly less fuel efficient (getting an EPA-estimated 30 MPG combined compared to 31 MPG combined in FWD), so you'll pay a hair more for gas over time. However, all-wheel drive gives you better traction, allowing your Kicks to get a better grip on the road; this can make driving on dirt roads and gravel driveways more pleasant and can help you stay in control when driving on paved roads during the rain. Both have their pros and cons, so there's no objectively right choice; it all comes down to your priorities. The Kicks S The entry-level S trim has a starting MSRP of just under $22k, making it a great choice for college students, first-time car buyers, or anyone on a budget who wants to get a quality vehicle for a price they can afford. Despite being the most basic offering, the S provides a long list of standard features ranging from safety tech to infotainment to comfort features. For safety, there's the Safety Shield 360 suite of driver assistance features, which includes automatic emergency braking, high beam assist, front pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent driver attention alert. The Kicks also comes standard with hill start assist, tire pressure warning, and rear parking sensors. Inside, you'll find a comfortable cabin that uses Nissan's Zero Gravity seats both up front and in the back so that everyone can get comfortable for the ride ahead. The back seats have a 60/40 split to let you find the right balance between passenger and cargo space. The standard infotainment setup has a 7-inch central touchscreen and a 7-inch digital gauge cluster behind the wheel, making it easy to see all of the information you need access to at a glance. You can also use steering-wheel-mounted controls or Siri Eyes Free voice recognition to give commands without taking your eyes off the road for even a fraction of a second. You can use either an aux port, an AM/FM radio, or Bluetooth streaming to play music over the 4-speaker sound system, with standard speed-sensitive volume making it easy to hear every note no matter where you go. The Kicks SV Upgrading to the Kicks SV gets you even more standard tech. Instead of a port for an auxiliary cable, you'll get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so that you can stream music, podcasts, and other audio entertainment from your phone. Since there's also a standard wireless charging pad up front, you can go completely cable-free for recharging your phone. If not, you'll have two USB ports available to you instead of the single port on the S trim. The SV also lets you subscribe to Sirius XM radio for even more options about how to stay entertained on the go. On top of all that, there's also a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen; the larger size makes it easier to read text and see camera views and harder to accidentally press the wrong icon while the car is in motion. With the available Premium Package, you can also unlock other features that aren't available at all on the S trim; these include a heated steering wheel and heated front seats designed to keep you warm and cozy on chilly mornings. If it's hot or cold out, remote engine start lets you get the climate control system running before you get inside the cabin, so the temperature is just right once you get behind the wheel. This package also adds a moonroof, which lets in more natural light and gives you a better view of the world around you. The Kicks SR The SR trim sits at the very top of the list, which means it provides the most luxurious experience of all. Inside, you'll immediately notice the cloth/leatherette seats and leather steering wheel, which enhance the look and feel of the cabin. There's also a large 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster to match the 12.3-inch touchscreen and a total of four USB ports around the cabin for your convenience (in addition to wireless charging, of course). The standard six-speaker system is an upgrade over the four-speaker version found in lower trims. However, if you add on the Premium Package, you can get an even better Bose Personal Plus system, which includes speakers built right into the headrests for an intimate experience. The package also gets you a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and a moonroof. You don't need to get any optional package for driver assistance features, though; plenty of those come standard on the SR, putting it a cut above the rest in terms of tech. Traffic sign recognition means you'll never overlook the speed limit on an unfamiliar road. You can keep track of your surroundings even when things get hectic with intelligent blind spot intervention, intelligent lane intervention, front and rear sonar parking sensors, and a 360-degree surround view camera that particularly comes in handy while parking in a tight spot. It's easy to see and be seen in any condition, thanks to LED fog lights and turn signal indicators built into the side view mirrors. Last but certainly not least, ProPILOT Assist is a new feature for the 2025 model year that combines the adaptive cruise control system with steering assist, making driving on the highway easier than ever before. Which Trim Is Right for You? Deciding which trim is best for you can be tricky, but it doesn't have to be stressful. For one thing, the Kicks is a quality car at any trim level, as even the base S has a lot to offer, so there really aren't any wrong answers. On top of that, you don't have to figure this out alone; here at Rusty Wallace Nissan, we have a team of friendly folks whose number one priority is customer satisfaction. They're here to answer questions, give advice, and show you around our inventory so you can see everything for yourself and even get behind the wheel for a test drive or two. With us in your corner, it's easy to choose a vehicle that's a perfect fit for you.