33 MPG combined may not impress everyone, but for the 2019 Nissan Kicks with its 1.6L four-cylinder engine, it’s a good balance of affordability and practicality. This vehicle isn’t trying to win races or conquer trails. It’s transportation boiled down to the essentials: efficient, reliable, and well-suited for city driving and budget-minded shoppers.

City and highway performance

The Kicks’ EPA ratings are 31 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. The 36 MPG highway is good, but the 31 MPG city is where the Kicks excels. Many larger SUVs struggle to get close to that in stop-and-go traffic. The Kicks’ nimble handling and small size, along with its fuel-sipping engine, makes it a great city vehicle. The automatic transmission, using variable gear ratios, is tuned for efficiency, adjusting to optimize fuel consumption whether you’re driving on busy streets or cruising on the highway. It’s not about fast acceleration; it’s about smooth, predictable power that gets the most out of every drop of gas.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the 2019 Nissan Kicks will cost $1,350 per year in fuel. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with a mix of city and highway driving, and assumes average fuel prices. This is important for potential Kicks buyers, as they often want low running costs, and $1,350 per year is a strong point. Knowing what to expect at the pump is a key selling point for this vehicle.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a starting point, but real-world fuel economy changes based on driving habits and conditions. Expect slightly lower numbers if you often accelerate quickly or drive in heavy traffic with frequent stops. However, keeping a steady speed on the highway and avoiding quick starts and stops can push your MPG closer to, or even a little above, the EPA’s 36 MPG highway estimate. The Kicks does well with a gentle driving style, rewarding a light foot with better fuel efficiency.

How it compares

The 2019 Nissan Kicks competes well against other vehicles in its class. The Hyundai Kona with its standard naturally aspirated engine gets around 30 MPG combined. The Toyota C-HR, another stylish subcompact SUV, gets similar numbers in the low 30s. The Kia Soul, depending on the engine, gets around 29 MPG combined. Even hybrid competitors, like the Toyota Prius c (discontinued after 2019), had only slightly better MPG in some cases. The Kicks’ fuel economy is impressive given its conventional gasoline engine, unlike some competitors that use hybrid technology to get similar numbers. This is important because Kicks buyers may not care about ultimate fuel efficiency above everything else. They want something stylish and affordable, and the Kicks offers competitive MPG without the complexity (and possible higher cost) of a hybrid.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid fast acceleration. The Kicks’ 1.6L engine is designed for efficiency, not speed. Fast acceleration wastes fuel. A smooth, gradual start will improve your MPG, especially in city driving.

Keep tires inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Regularly check your tire pressure and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommendation, usually found on a sticker inside the driver’s side doorjamb.

Don’t idle too much. Idling wastes fuel without moving the car. If you expect to wait for more than a minute or two, it’s generally better to turn off the engine, especially with modern vehicles. The small engine in the Kicks uses more fuel when idling.

Plan trips. Combining errands into one trip reduces the number of cold starts, which use more fuel. Planning your route can also help you avoid traffic and detours, improving fuel consumption. The Kicks is great for quick trips around town.

Use cruise control on the highway. Keeping a consistent speed on the highway is critical for better fuel efficiency. Cruise control helps prevent quick acceleration and deceleration, leading to smoother driving and better MPG. But be careful in hilly areas where the cruise control might downshift too often to maintain speed, reducing some fuel savings.

Interested in all Nissan fuel economy data? Or curious about the KICKS MPG across all years?