Nissan Kicks Best Years Canada: Which Model Should You Buy?

If we are shopping for a used Nissan Kicks in Canada, choosing the right model year matters almost as much as choosing the right trim. Two Kicks sitting beside each other at a dealership may look nearly identical, yet differences in age, equipment, depreciation, maintenance history, and recalls can dramatically change which one offers better value.

So, what are the Nissan Kicks best years in Canada?

For most Canadian used-car shoppers, we would put the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Nissan Kicks near the top of the list, with the 2023 Kicks standing out as our favourite overall used choice. These later first-generation models combine mature production, relatively modern technology, attractive fuel economy, reasonable used pricing, and fewer unknowns than an all-new generation.

The redesigned 2025 Kicks is more powerful and offers substantial improvements, but its newer design means we simply have less long-term ownership history to judge. In fact, Transport Canada has already published recalls affecting some newer Nissan vehicles, reinforcing why checking an individual VIN matters more than blindly assuming newer automatically means better.

Let's break down every important year and figure out which Kicks belongs in your driveway.

Quick Answer: What Are the Best Nissan Kicks Years in Canada?

If we had to rank the most appealing Nissan Kicks model years for a Canadian used buyer, our shortlist would look like this:

1. 2023 Nissan Kicks — Best overall used choice
2. 2024 Nissan Kicks — Best newer first-generation choice
3. 2022 Nissan Kicks — Best balance of value and age
4. 2021 Nissan Kicks — Good budget alternative
5. 2020 Nissan Kicks — Worth considering at the right price
6. 2019 Nissan Kicks — Affordable, but inspect carefully
7. 2018 Nissan Kicks — Best only for bargain hunters
8. 2025+ Nissan Kicks — Excellent redesign, but still relatively new

This ranking isn't carved into granite. A meticulously maintained 2019 Kicks can easily be a smarter purchase than a neglected 2023 model.

Condition always beats calendar year.

Still, when two vehicles have similar kilometres, service histories, prices, and condition, the later first-generation Kicks generally gets our vote.

Why the 2023 Nissan Kicks Is Our Best Overall Year

The 2023 Nissan Kicks hits something of a sweet spot.

It is late enough in the first generation that Nissan had several years to refine the product, yet old enough that depreciation has already started doing buyers a favour.

Even more encouragingly, Consumer Reports currently describes the 2023 Kicks as more reliable than other vehicles from the same model year based on its available owner-survey information.

That doesn't guarantee every 2023 Kicks will be trouble-free. Cars aren't refrigerators; maintenance history, climate, kilometres, driving style, accidents, and previous ownership all matter.

But if we're browsing Canadian classifieds and want one year to circle first, 2023 is an excellent place to begin.

Why We Like the 2023 Kicks

The 2023 model offers several advantages:

• It belongs to the later portion of the original Kicks generation.
• Used examples may still feel relatively modern inside.
• Depreciation makes it significantly more attainable than a brand-new crossover.
• Its simple small-crossover format suits commuting and urban driving.
• It avoids the uncertainty that naturally surrounds a newly redesigned first-year vehicle.
• Buyers have several years of ownership history available when researching the model.

Think of the 2023 Kicks like buying the final polished edition of a familiar smartphone instead of immediately ordering version 1.0 of an entirely redesigned one. It might not have every flashy new feature, but we know far more about what we're getting.

2024 Nissan Kicks: Possibly the Safest Late-Generation Bet

The 2024 Nissan Kicks deserves almost equal consideration.

If our budget allows it, a clean 2024 can be particularly appealing because it represents the final stage of the original Canadian Kicks before the substantial redesign.

That matters.

Late-generation cars often appeal to cautious used-car buyers because manufacturers have already spent years producing essentially the same platform, drivetrain, electronics, and interior architecture.

We aren't suggesting every last-year model is automatically perfect. That's too simplistic. But mature platforms generally carry fewer mysteries than an all-new design.

Who Should Buy a 2024 Kicks?

We would target a 2024 if we:

• want a relatively recent used crossover,
• don't need the redesigned model's additional power,
• prioritize predictable ownership over having the newest design,
• find a low-kilometre example with documented maintenance,
• or want something that still feels relatively new without paying new-car pricing.

The main obstacle is price.

A 2024 Kicks can sometimes sit awkwardly between bargain-used territory and new-car territory. If the price difference between a 2024 example and a newer Kicks becomes small, we'd compare financing, warranty coverage, insurance, depreciation, and total ownership cost rather than simply choosing the cheaper sticker.

2022 Nissan Kicks: Our Value Pick

Here's where things get interesting.

The 2022 Nissan Kicks may be the smarter purchase for buyers focused on value rather than maximum newness.

By 2022, the Kicks was already an established product. Meanwhile, enough depreciation has occurred that the right example can deliver a much more attractive cost-per-year proposition.

Canadian buyers shopping around the middle of the used-market price spectrum should pay particular attention to this model year.

Why the 2022 Model Makes Sense in Canada

Imagine two Kicks.

One is a sparkling 2024 model carrying noticeably higher monthly payments. The other is a carefully maintained 2022 with moderate kilometres and thousands of dollars left in your pocket.

Which one actually improves your daily commute?

For many of us, the answer is the 2022.

The fundamental Kicks formula remains similar: compact dimensions, relatively easy parking, practical hatchback cargo access, and inexpensive everyday transportation compared with larger SUVs.

That's exactly why we'd rather buy a well-serviced 2022 than stretch financially for a newer model simply because the odometer shows fewer kilometres.

2021 Nissan Kicks: A Good Budget Sweet Spot

The 2021 Nissan Kicks moves us deeper into affordable used-car territory.

It is old enough to offer meaningful depreciation while still being modern enough for buyers who don't want something that feels like yesterday's technology.

However, we would inspect these examples more carefully than a 2023 or 2024.

Why?

Because age introduces variables.

A five-year-old vehicle may have changed owners several times. It may have spent winters parked outdoors. Its brakes may have experienced repeated road-salt exposure. It may be running on its second or third set of tires. And its CVT maintenance history becomes increasingly important as kilometres accumulate.

The 2021 Kicks Makes Sense When Price Is Right

A 2021 becomes especially attractive when:

• the vehicle has complete service records,
• the seller can explain its ownership history,
• there are no significant accident records,
• the CVT behaves smoothly,
• the underbody is reasonably clean,
• and the price is meaningfully lower than equivalent 2022–2024 examples.

We wouldn't dismiss it.

But we wouldn't buy it blind either.

2020 Nissan Kicks: Still Worth Buying?

Yes, potentially.

The 2020 Nissan Kicks can still make sense as inexpensive transportation, especially for city drivers who care more about operating costs and practicality than acceleration or premium refinement.

However, by this point we're shopping a vehicle that may have experienced six Canadian winters.

That changes our priorities.

We care less about whether the infotainment screen looks modern and more about what the suspension, brakes, battery, tires, exhaust components, bodywork, and drivetrain tell us.

There's another reason to research 2020–2021 examples carefully. U.S. litigation involving alleged automatic emergency braking problems included Kicks models from those years, although the legal proceedings and claims shouldn't be interpreted as proof that every individual Canadian Kicks has the problem.

Test the Driver-Assistance Systems

During a test drive, we'd pay attention to warning lights and driver-assistance behaviour.

Test the vehicle in normal traffic. Listen. Watch the dashboard. Don't assume a warning light is simply a weak battery or dirty sensor because the salesperson says so.

Modern electronics can turn a small dashboard icon into a surprisingly expensive detective story.

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2019 Nissan Kicks: Good Cheap Transportation With Caveats

The 2019 Nissan Kicks is where our recommendation becomes more conditional.

We're not saying avoid it.

We're saying buy based on condition rather than year.

At this age, kilometres and previous care matter enormously. A one-owner 2019 with comprehensive service invoices might be far more desirable than a 2021 model that changed hands repeatedly and missed maintenance.

What Would Convince Us to Buy One?

We'd want to see:

Good Maintenance Records

Oil changes should be documented consistently.

Smooth Transmission Behaviour

The CVT should accelerate without unusual shuddering, delayed engagement, whining, or dramatic surging.

Minimal Corrosion

Canadian winters are brutal. Road salt works slowly and quietly, like rust carrying a tiny hammer.

No Serious Accident History

Cosmetic paintwork isn't necessarily frightening. Structural repair is another matter.

Healthy Brakes and Suspension

A cheap purchase can become expensive quickly if it immediately needs tires, brakes, control-arm components, wheel bearings, and suspension repairs.

2018 Nissan Kicks: Should You Buy the First Model Year?

The 2018 Kicks is the oldest Canadian model buyers are likely to encounter, and we'd treat it as a budget-focused purchase.

First-year vehicles aren't automatically bad. That's an internet myth that gets repeated far too casually.

But first-year models do give us fewer reasons to choose them once later versions become similarly affordable.

If a 2020 or 2021 costs only slightly more, we'd usually move toward the newer vehicle.

When a 2018 Kicks Can Still Make Sense

A 2018 may be worth considering if:

• it is significantly cheaper than newer examples,
• mileage is reasonable,
• maintenance documentation is unusually strong,
• a mechanic gives it a clean pre-purchase inspection,
• there are no unresolved recalls,
• and we intend to keep purchase costs low.

At the right price, it can work.

At nearly the same price as a 2021? We'd pass.

What Changed With the 2025 Nissan Kicks?

The 2025 model marks a major turning point.

Nissan redesigned the Kicks and gave it a substantially stronger powertrain. Canadian specifications list a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque, paired with Nissan's Xtronic CVT.

That alone changes the personality of the vehicle.

Older Kicks models built much of their identity around efficiency and affordability. The redesigned version moves closer to what buyers traditionally expect from a small SUV.

The Redesigned Kicks Feels Like a Bigger Step Forward

For shoppers comparing generations, the 2025 isn't simply another yearly refresh.

It represents a new chapter.

The redesign is especially interesting for Canadian buyers because drivetrain availability, cabin technology, dimensions, power, and overall positioning evolved substantially.

Nissan continues with a 2.0-litre 141-hp four-cylinder in the current Canadian Kicks lineup.

Is the 2025 Nissan Kicks One of the Best Years?

Potentially—but we separate best new Kicks from best used Kicks.

As a new-car proposition, the redesigned Kicks can easily appeal more than its predecessors.

As a long-term reliability recommendation, though, it simply hasn't accumulated the same amount of real-world history as a 2022 or 2023 model.

That's not criticism. It's arithmetic.

You cannot compress six years of ownership into one year of data.

A newer model may eventually prove excellent. We just have less evidence.

Newer Doesn't Automatically Mean Lower Risk

Transport Canada recall information also illustrates why VIN checks remain essential on newer vehicles. A 2026 Nissan recall, for example, involved improperly manufactured door strikers on certain vehicles and required affected owners to have them replaced.

Nissan itself currently directs Canadian owners toward Transport Canada's database while noting an issue with its own recall lookup results.

The lesson isn't “new Kicks are bad.”

The lesson is simpler:

Check the VIN before purchasing any year.

First-Generation vs New-Generation Nissan Kicks

There are essentially two shopping philosophies.

Choose the Older Generation If You Want Value

The older Kicks makes sense if our priorities are:

• lower purchase price,
• proven platform history,
• urban commuting,
• manageable running costs,
• straightforward transportation,
• and avoiding large depreciation.

Choose the New Generation If You Want More Capability

The redesigned Kicks makes more sense if we prioritize:

• stronger acceleration,
• newer cabin technology,
• a more modern design,
• updated features,
• warranty coverage,
• and the experience of owning a current-generation vehicle.

Neither philosophy is wrong.

We're simply spending money on different things.

Which Nissan Kicks Years Should We Be More Careful With?

Instead of creating a dramatic “years to avoid” blacklist, we'd use a more practical approach.

We would be most cautious with 2018–2020 examples, primarily because of age, accumulated kilometres, first-generation maturity, ownership history, and the increasingly important condition of wear items.

That doesn't mean they're defective.

It means an older Kicks requires more homework.

A Clean Old Kicks Beats a Neglected New One

Suppose we find:

Vehicle A: 2019 Kicks, one owner, 70,000 km, dealership service history, clean body, excellent inspection.

Vehicle B: 2022 Kicks, 135,000 km, accident history, missing maintenance records, four mismatched tires.

We're taking Vehicle A.

Every time.

Model-year rankings help us narrow the search. They should never replace common sense.

Nissan Kicks CVT: What Canadian Buyers Should Know

The continuously variable transmission is one of the components we'd evaluate carefully on any used Kicks.

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CVTs drive differently from traditional automatics. Engine rpm can rise and stay elevated during acceleration rather than stepping through distinct gears.

That's normal.

What isn't normal is severe hesitation, slipping sensations, violent juddering, delayed engagement, unusual noises, or warning lights.

How We Would Test the CVT

From a cold start, drive through residential streets before entering faster roads.

Accelerate gently.

Then accelerate more firmly.

Drive uphill if possible.

Try reverse.

Move between reverse and drive while fully stopped.

Pay attention to whether the vehicle responds naturally.

A ten-minute spin around the dealership block isn't enough. Buying a used car after an ultra-short test drive is like buying shoes without standing up.

Canadian Winter Changes the Equation

A car that spends its life in Vancouver does not age exactly like one spending every winter in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Montréal, or northern Ontario.

Cold temperatures, snow, ice, road treatments, potholes, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles create stresses that reliability rankings often fail to capture.

That's why our definition of the best Nissan Kicks year in Canada includes condition underneath the vehicle—not merely the badge on the hatch.

Rust and Corrosion Deserve Serious Attention

Ask for an underbody inspection.

We're looking for excessive corrosion around:

• suspension mounting points,
• brake components,
• exhaust hardware,
• subframes,
• fasteners,
• seams,
• and structural areas.

Surface rust on an older Canadian vehicle isn't automatically catastrophic.

Heavy scaling or structural corrosion is different.

A shiny detailing job can make a used crossover sparkle under showroom lights, but it cannot polish away six salty winters underneath.

Check the Battery and Charging System

Cold Canadian weather exposes weak 12-volt batteries quickly.

If we're considering an older Kicks, we'd ask when the battery was replaced.

Starting should be quick and confident.

A sluggish crank might be nothing more than an aging battery, but we shouldn't assume. Electrical problems, charging issues, and parasitic drains can produce similar symptoms.

Inspect the Tires—And Don't Just Look at Tread Depth

Canadian buyers should also check:

• tire manufacturing date,
• tread depth,
• sidewall damage,
• uneven wear,
• matching brands and models,
• winter-tire condition,
• and wheel damage.

A vehicle sitting on four premium winter tires has tangible value.

One sitting on four worn budget tires has an invoice waiting for us.

Which Nissan Kicks Trim Should Canadians Buy?

Model year isn't the only decision.

Trim level can change whether the vehicle feels basic or surprisingly well equipped.

For budget shoppers, the lower trim may provide everything necessary.

For long-term owners, however, moving into a mid-level trim can sometimes deliver a nicer combination of comfort, safety technology, convenience, and resale appeal.

Don't Pay Thousands for Features You Won't Use

This is where we need to resist dealership hypnosis.

Heated this. Premium that. Bigger screen. Special stitching.

Wonderful.

But would we rather have a fully loaded Kicks with questionable service history or a slightly lower trim with immaculate records?

Give us the maintained car.

Every time.

How Many Kilometres Is Too Much for a Used Nissan Kicks?

There is no magical kilometre limit.

A vehicle with 120,000 highway kilometres may have experienced less mechanical stress than another with 70,000 kilometres of short urban trips.

Still, kilometres affect price and risk.

For buyers planning long-term ownership, we generally prefer finding a vehicle where the odometer leaves enough room before major age-related maintenance starts stacking up.

Maintenance History Matters More Than a Pretty Odometer

A suspiciously low-mileage vehicle isn't automatically a prize.

Cars need to move.

Long-term sitting can create its own problems involving batteries, brakes, tires, seals, and fluids.

What we want is believable usage combined with consistent care.

Should You Buy a Former Rental Nissan Kicks?

Possibly—but we'd require a meaningful discount.

Rental vehicles often receive routine scheduled maintenance, which is positive.

Unfortunately, nobody rents a car and whispers, “I must preserve this drivetrain for its future owner.”

Different drivers climb in every week. Some treat the accelerator like an on/off switch.

We're not automatically rejecting a rental Kicks, but its price should compensate us for the uncertainty.

Should You Buy a High-Mileage 2023 or Low-Mileage 2020?

This is exactly where rigid year rankings fall apart.

If both cost approximately the same, we'd examine service history and kilometres first.

A 2023 that has already accumulated extremely high mileage may represent a worse long-term purchase than an exceptionally clean 2020.

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Year tells us age.

Mileage tells us use.

Service records tell us care.

We need all three.

Always Check Nissan Kicks Recalls Before Buying

Recall status is one of the easiest things to verify and one of the strangest things buyers forget.

Transport Canada maintains Canada's official vehicle recall information, while Nissan Canada also provides recall guidance for owners. Nissan currently recommends checking Transport Canada when verifying open campaigns because its own VIN lookup has experienced a system issue.

Before handing over money, we would verify the exact VIN.

Not merely the year.

Not merely the trim.

The VIN.

Why VIN-Level Checking Matters

Recalls may apply only to particular production periods or vehicle configurations.

Two apparently identical Kicks parked beside each other could therefore have different recall histories.

That's why articles like this should help us narrow the search—not substitute for vehicle-specific research.

Do You Need a Pre-Purchase Inspection?

Yes.

Especially once we're spending serious money.

A proper inspection can reveal issues that a beautifully photographed classified ad conveniently forgot to mention.

We want someone independent to examine:

• brakes,
• suspension,
• tires,
• fluid leaks,
• drivetrain operation,
• warning codes,
• rust,
• accident repairs,
• steering,
• cooling system,
• battery health,
• exhaust,
• and underbody condition.

Paying for an inspection can feel annoying when we're excited about the vehicle.

Paying for a transmission three months later feels considerably worse.

Best Nissan Kicks Year for Different Buyers

Let's make this simple.

Best Overall Used Kicks: 2023

Our favourite combination of maturity, modernity, value, and available reliability history.

Best Nearly-New Kicks: 2024

Ideal if we want a late first-generation example with minimal age.

Best Value Kicks: 2022

Probably the year we'd search hardest if budget matters.

Best Budget Kicks: 2020–2021

Worth considering if condition and service history are strong.

Best Bargain Kicks: 2018–2019

Only when pricing properly reflects the added age and inspection results are convincing.

Best Kicks for Buyers Wanting the New Design: 2025+

Stronger, more modern, and meaningfully redesigned, although long-term reliability evidence remains naturally thinner.

Our Used Nissan Kicks Buying Checklist

Before buying any year, we'd check:

1. VIN for outstanding recalls.
2. Maintenance records.
3. Accident history.
4. CVT operation.
5. Cold-start behaviour.
6. Tire age and condition.
7. Brake wear.
8. Underbody corrosion.
9. Suspension noises.
10. Warning lights and diagnostic codes.
11. Battery condition.
12. Heating and air conditioning.
13. Infotainment and cameras.
14. All driver-assistance systems.
15. Independent pre-purchase inspection.

If the seller resists an inspection, we'd consider that information in itself.

There will always be another Kicks.

Is a Used Nissan Kicks a Good Buy in Canada?

For the right buyer, yes.

The Kicks makes particular sense when we want compact dimensions, practical hatchback versatility, city-friendly manners, and a lower-cost alternative to larger crossovers.

Where it makes less sense is for drivers expecting muscular acceleration, heavy towing ability, or the road presence of a larger SUV.

The original Kicks is closer to a practical urban runabout wearing crossover boots.

And that's not an insult.

For commuting through Toronto traffic, navigating Montréal streets, squeezing into Vancouver parking spaces, or simply reducing our monthly transportation expenses, that formula can be exactly what we need.

Final Verdict: What Is the Best Nissan Kicks Year in Canada?

If we had to buy a used Nissan Kicks in Canada today, we'd begin our search with the 2023 model year.

It represents the sweet spot.

It's new enough to feel modern, old enough to have absorbed some depreciation, and late enough in the original generation to benefit from years of model development. Available reliability information is also encouraging, with Consumer Reports currently rating the 2023 Kicks more reliable than other vehicles from its model year.

Our second choice would be the 2024 Kicks, especially for buyers willing to pay more for a newer example.

For value seekers, the 2022 Kicks might actually be the smartest purchase of all.

We'd still consider 2020 and 2021 models when the price and history make sense, while 2018 and 2019 versions demand more careful inspection simply because age is now becoming a major factor.

And then there's the redesigned 2025+ Kicks.

It's the more compelling vehicle on paper, with Nissan listing a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque for the redesigned Canadian model. But when we're talking about the best used years, proven history matters. A redesigned vehicle simply needs time before we can judge its durability with the same confidence.

So don't chase a year number blindly.

Find the best car.

A clean 2022 with records is better than an abused 2024. A well-kept 2020 is better than a neglected 2023.

The badge tells us what we're buying.

The service history tells us what we're actually getting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best year Nissan Kicks to buy in Canada?

We consider the 2023 Nissan Kicks one of the best overall used years because it combines late-generation maturity, modern features, depreciation, and encouraging reliability information. A 2022 or 2024 can be equally attractive depending on price, kilometres, and maintenance history.

2. Which Nissan Kicks years should I avoid?

We wouldn't automatically blacklist any year without inspecting the individual vehicle. However, we'd approach 2018–2020 models more cautiously because they are older and their condition depends heavily on kilometres, maintenance, corrosion, and previous ownership. Always inspect the vehicle and verify recalls by VIN.

3. Is the 2023 Nissan Kicks reliable?

Available Consumer Reports data currently describes the 2023 Kicks as more reliable than other cars from the same model year. That doesn't guarantee an individual vehicle's condition, so service records and an independent inspection remain essential.

4. Is the 2025 Nissan Kicks better than the older Kicks?

In many areas, yes. The redesigned Canadian Kicks uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder rated at 141 hp and 140 lb-ft, representing a meaningful performance upgrade from the philosophy of the earlier model. However, older models can offer better used-car value and have a longer ownership history from which buyers can judge reliability.

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5. How do I choose between a 2022 and 2023 Nissan Kicks?

Compare condition, kilometres, service history, trim, tires, accident history, recall completion, and total price. If everything else is equal, we'd lean toward the 2023. If a similarly maintained 2022 is meaningfully cheaper, we'd happily take the savings.