There’s something undeniably poetic about coming full circle with a car. The Nissan Kicks was one of the first vehicles I ever reviewed back when I had just secured my UAE drivers license. So when Arabian Automobiles offered me the keys to the all-new 2025 Nissan Kicks this week, it felt less like a test drive and more like a long-awaited reunion.
Day 1: First Impressions & That Striking New Look
Pulling up to the curb, I immediately noticed how dramatically the Kicks has evolved. The 2025 model is sharper, bolder, and significantly more assertive in its design language. The signature V-Motion grille has been refined into something sleeker and more mature, framed by aggressive LED headlamps that slice through the Dubai evening like twin blades. And those 17-inch alloy wheels? A thing of sculpted beauty.
In fact, the stance is more SUV-like than ever—sporty but refined, with just the right amount of edge. Nissan’s designers have clearly been in their bag.
Day 2: Life Inside the Cabin – Where Style Meets Substance
Dubai’s long traffic snarls demands comfort, and thankfully, the Kicks delivers. The interior has undergone a transformation that feels both luxurious and practical. The zero-gravity front seats (Nissan’s signature comfort move) cradle you gently, making long drives feel almost therapeutic. The cabin layout has matured—minimalist, yet modern. Soft-touch materials line the dash and door trims, and there’s now ambient lighting that subtly washes over the cabin in the evening.
The pièce de résistance inside has to be the massive 12.3-inch touchscreen that dominates the center console. It’s intuitive, snappy, and finally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wireless—thank you, Nissan. Paired with a customizable 10.8-inch digital instrument cluster, the cockpit feels futuristic but not overwhelming. And if you’re someone who appreciates sound (who isn’t in Dubai?), the available Bose Personal Plus system immerses you in rich, room-filling audio that rivals systems in much more expensive cars.
Day 3: Driving Through Dubai – Smooth, Confident, Connected
Dubai isn’t just about highways; it’s about the flow—the blend of fast lanes, tight city streets, and sudden offbeat detours. The 2025 Kicks felt at home in all of it. The 2.0 L engine pumps out 142 HP and 190/4000 rpm(NM) of torque. But the new Kicks isn’t just about neck-snapping acceleration- it offers a balance of efficiency and agility. It’s peppy enough for city driving, and more importantly, it’s predictable and smooth—perfect for weaving through Sharjah traffic or gliding down the Sheikh Zayed Road.
New this year is Nissan’s Safety Shield 360, which wraps you in a cocoon of confidence: lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and even adaptive cruise control. In a city like Dubai, where a split second can make all the difference, this tech isn’t just convenient—it’s essential.
Day 4: The Little Things (That Make a Big Difference)
As my time with the Kicks drew to a close, I found myself appreciating the smaller touches that really elevate the 2025 model. The rear seats are more spacious now, and there’s ample boot space—enough for a full weekend haul or your next trip to the dunes. USB-C ports front and back are a welcome nod to today’s tech-savvy generation.
Fuel economy? I averaged decent mileage considering how much of the city I covered. It’s an efficient runabout without ever feeling like one.
And let’s talk value—because this is where the Kicks truly shines. Starting at AED 84,000, the 2025 model feels like a lot more car for the money. In a segment where style, tech, and comfort often cost extra, Nissan has delivered a compact crossover that doesn’t just keep up—it leads.
Final Thoughts: A Homecoming Done Right
Driving the 2025 Nissan Kicks wasn’t just about evaluating a car—it was about reconnecting with a nameplate that helped shape my early career as an automotive journalist and car reviewer. This latest evolution is smarter, sharper, and undeniably more premium than ever before. It’s not trying to be something it’s not—it’s simply better at being what it’s always been: a bold, practical, tech-forward crossover that fits Dubai’s rhythm perfectly.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. For city-dwellers, first-time car owners, or even seasoned drivers looking for something dependable with flair, the 2025 Kicks is a standout. It’s grown up—and I guess, so have I.
Disclaimer / Voluntary Disclosure
This car featured in this review was offered for a test drive by Al Rostamani Arabian Automobiles AWR. Though the car was offered complimentarily – all photos, views and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The aforementioned company had no influence on the content of this article, there is no form of cooperation between us, I was not obliged to publish anything, and I have not received any monetary payment in lieu of this review. All images used are courtesy of Blogliterati.com, unless stated otherwise. The images may not be reproduced without explicit permission/consent from the site owner. The model offered for this review was the Nissan Kicks 2025