2020 Nissan Kicks

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights (varies by trim/option)

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Nissan Kicks SV 4-door

The Nissan Kicks was introduced in the 2018 model year as a replacement for the Nissan Juke. Beginning with 2020 models, the passenger frontal airbag and the driver and passenger side curtain airbags were enlarged, knee airbags were added for the driver and front passenger, and rear seat-mounted side torso airbags were added to improve occupant protection in frontal and side crashes.

Beginning with 2025 models, Nissan renamed the Kicks to Kicks Play.

Small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2020 model Kicks conducted by Nissan. Because the structure was not changed, the structure rating is based on this test and an earlier test of a 2018 model Kicks conducted by the Institute. These ratings apply to 2020-2024 Nissan Kicks models and 2025 Kicks Play models.

Evaluation criteria	Rating

Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2006	CEN1807
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	9	14
Footrest (cm)	2	5
Left toepan (cm)	1	3
Brake pedal (cm)	2	3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2	5
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	1	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4	7
Upper dash (cm)	6	10
Lower instrument panel (cm)	6	10

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2006
Head
HIC-15	99
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	12
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Femur (kN)
Left	0.7
Right	0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.41
Right	0.45
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.2
Right	0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	40
Right	33

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Nissan Kicks SV 4-door

The Nissan Kicks was introduced in the 2018 model year as a replacement for the Nissan Juke. Beginning with 2020 models, the passenger frontal airbag and the driver and passenger side curtain airbags were enlarged, knee airbags were added for the driver and front passenger, and rear seat-mounted side torso airbags were added to improve occupant protection in frontal and side crashes.

Beginning with 2025 models, Nissan renamed the Kicks to Kicks Play.

Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2020 model Kicks conducted by Nissan. Because the structure was not changed, the structure rating is based on this test and an earlier test of a 2018 model Kicks conducted by Nissan. These ratings apply to 2020-2024 Nissan Kicks models and 2025 Kicks Play models.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2005	VTP1821
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	14	17
Footrest (cm)	5	7
Right toepan (cm)	3	4
Center toepan (cm)	3	4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2	3
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	8	9
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	8	12
Upper dash (cm)	12	13
Right lower dash (cm)	9	11

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2005
Head
HIC-15	196
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	28
Maximum Nij	0.49
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	1.7
Right	2.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	5
Right	9
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.68
Right	0.97
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.1
Right	2.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	38
Right	79

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2005
Head
HIC-15	69
Peak gs at hard contact	no data
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	13
Maximum Nij	0.19
Chest maximum compression (mm)	29
Femur (kN)
Left	0.5
Right	1.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.47
Right	0.26
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	0.4
Right	0.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	25
Right	32

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Nissan Kicks SV 4-door

The Nissan Kicks was introduced in the 2018 model year as a replacement for the Nissan Juke. Beginning with 2020 models, the passenger frontal airbag and the driver and passenger side curtain airbags were enlarged, knee airbags were added for the driver and front passenger, and rear seat-mounted side torso airbags were added to improve occupant protection in frontal and side crashes.

Beginning with 2025 models, Nissan renamed the Kicks to Kicks Play.

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2020 model Kicks conducted by Nissan. Because the structure was not changed, the structure rating is based on this test and an earlier test of a 2018 model Kicks conducted by Nissan.These ratings apply to 2020-2024 Nissan Kicks models and 2025 Kicks Play models.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2006	VTF1821
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	4	4
Left (cm)	1	6
Center (cm)	2	10
Right (cm)	4	7
Brake pedal (cm)	2	4
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0	3
Right (cm)	2	8
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	1	1
Rearward (cm)	-4	5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF2006
Head
HIC-15	396
Peak gs at hard contact	93
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	34
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	0.9
Femur force - right (kN)	0.9
Knee displacement - left (mm)	2
Knee displacement - right (mm)	2
Maximum tibia index - left	0.50
Maximum tibia index - right	0.35
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.0
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	1.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	42
Right	64

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2020-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2020 Nissan Kicks SR 4-door

The Nissan Kicks was introduced in the 2018 model year as a replacement for the Nissan Juke. Beginning with 2020 models, the passenger frontal airbag and the driver and passenger side curtain airbags were enlarged, knee airbags were added for the driver and front passenger, and rear seat-mounted side torso airbags were added to improve occupant protection in frontal and side crashes.

Beginning with 2025 models, Nissan renamed the Kicks to Kicks Play.

Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on these tests conducted by Nissan. Because the structure was not changed, the structure rating is based on this test and two earlier tests of a 2018 model Kicks conducted by Nissan. These ratings apply to 2020-2024 Nissan Kicks models and 2025 Kicks Play models.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Test ID	VTS2005	VTS1818	VTS1819
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-17.0	-13.0	-12.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2005
Head HIC-15	277
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.0
Compression (kN)	0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	27
Lateral force (kN)	1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.96
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.54
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	1.3
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.5
Combined force (kN)	2.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	0.5
L-M moment (Nm)	58
A-P moment (Nm)	26

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2005
Head HIC-15	86
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.2
Compression (kN)	0.8
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	30
Lateral force (kN)	1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	23
Average deflection (mm)	19
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.94
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.32
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN)	0.3
Acetabulum force (kN)	1.4
Combined force (kN)	1.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN)	1.3
L-M moment (Nm)	161
A-P moment (Nm)	19

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2018-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Nissan Kicks S 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight	2,611 lbs
Peak force	11,530 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio	4.42

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry

Technical measurements for this test

Seat type	Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm)	21
Distance below top of head (mm)	37
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail	Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g)	11.6
Head contact time (ms)	59
Force rating	1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N)	32
Max neck tension (N)	519

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

SR trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right and gradual left curves and fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	SR trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2018-20 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	113.2 m	6.0%
Straightaway left edge	56.3 m	6.0%
250m radius right curve, right edge	69.3 m	16.0%
250m radius left curve, right edge	54.8 m	26.3%
150m radius right curve, right edge	61.0 m	15.3%
150m radius left curve, right edge	54.4 m	72.0%

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	163.2 m
Straightaway left edge	110.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	84.3 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	79.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	63.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	61.7 m

Trim level(s)

S trim
SV trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	S trim SV trim
Low-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
High-beam headlight type	Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2018-20 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	47.6 m	None
Straightaway left edge	26.6 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	39.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	30.5 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	33.3 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	29.2 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	144.2 m
Straightaway left edge	114.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	63.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	61.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	51.6 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	48.7 m

About the headlight evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-20 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	S
Seat type	cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	S
Seat type	cloth

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	8
Clearance angle (degrees)	82
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	21
Clearance angle (degrees)	78
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	30
Clearance angle (degrees)	78
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	0-2
Force (lbs)	33
Clearance angle (degrees)	84
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

2020 Nissan Kicks

small car / 4-door hatchback

Crashworthiness

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Seat belts & child restraints

Other available safety features

Small overlap front: driver-side

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Moderate overlap front: original test

Side: original test

Roof strength

Head restraints & seats

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Child seat anchors