Nissan Kicks P15

The Kicks (P15, 2018–2024) is Nissan's most affordable crossover for the U.S. market — a small, efficient subcompact SUV without all-wheel drive that wins mainly on low price and good fuel economy. It's powered by the 1.6-liter HR16DE making about 141 hp. It's no powerhouse, but it's enough for city and commuter use. As with nearly every Nissan of this era, behind it sits the Jatco CVT. The CVT is the central issue here too: hesitation, vibration, shudder, and early wear are reported. The Kicks falls within the same scope as the other Nissan CVT models — the class-action that settled for roughly $277 million and the extended warranty (up to 84 months / 84,000 miles) are relevant. Because the Kicks is cheap, a CVT replacement ($3,500 to $5,000) can quickly exceed the remaining value. A model-specific weakness is peeling paint: especially on 2018–2020 model years and above all on white paint, the finish flakes off in large patches — a well-known and frequently reported problem. Add to that A/C failures, Bluetooth and infotainment connectivity issues, a falsely triggering collision warning, an engine that occasionally stalls, and quickly wearing interior plastics. Buying advice: Inspect the paint closely for peeling and touch-ups — particularly on white 2018–2020 cars. Test the CVT warm and watch for hesitation and vibration. Test the A/C and infotainment, and check for open recalls by VIN. Bottom line: The Kicks is an inexpensive, efficient entry-level crossover with surprising space. Paint problems and the CVT cloud the picture, and at its low resale value a major repair rarely pencils out. A well-kept example with intact paint and a healthy transmission is a sensible city car.