2020 Nissan Kicks

small car / 4-door hatchback

2020 Nissan Kicks 4-door hatchback
2018 Nissan Kicks shown

Crashworthiness

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

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

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.

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.

Overall evaluation
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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

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

Passenger injury measures

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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

Driver injury measures

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.

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.

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

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

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.

Driver injury measures

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

Passenger injury measures

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 weight2,611 lbs
Peak force11,530 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.42

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
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

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
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
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam 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
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

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimS
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.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimS
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
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

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
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
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

Seat position 21

3

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

Seat position 22

2

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

Seat position 23

1

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