Used 2021 Nissan Kicks for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2021 Nissan Kicks cost?

Prices have softened 7.13% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,137 listings available, you have a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Kicks earns a 4.5/5 user rating and an 8.67/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Form and function, Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

The data points to a small crossover that fits your life best if you want something simple, affordable, and easy to recommend for everyday commuting or city driving. It stands out for being fuel-efficient, offering standard advanced safety features, and including an impressive stereo, while the refreshed 2021 model adds more features and a more premium feel.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, a manual transmission is not available, and cargo space is limited. If you value low running costs and a straightforward ownership experience more than quick acceleration or maximum utility, this is the kind of vehicle that makes sense.

With 34.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Kicks is described as a practical, value-focused subcompact SUV that was designed to be easy to live with, and the 2021 refresh adds more features without changing that basic formula. It also has a strong history of few recalls, which supports its case as a sensible used buy.

Its dependability story is helped by the fact that it is built around a simple, mainstream powertrain and a straightforward feature set. The first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, which is a nice ownership perk if you are comparing total running costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about complexity and more about whether the vehicle has been maintained and used gently, since this is a budget-oriented model that can show wear if it has had a hard life.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Nissan Kicks?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any listing you like, even if it looks clean on paper. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if the vehicle has higher mileage, signs of cosmetic repair, or uneven tire wear. Focus your walkaround on interior condition, cargo-area wear, and whether the features you care about are actually present on the trim you are considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model gets a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert, while higher trims add items like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The top-tier trim also adds LED headlights, LED fog lights, a rear roof-mounted spoiler, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
• Powertrain: Every 2021 model uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is not available, and the setup is tuned more for efficiency and easy driving than quick acceleration.
• Safety package: Every Kicks comes with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Higher trims add a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and three USB ports. Higher trims add a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, and remote engine start, while the available WiFi hot spot supports over-the-air updating.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA rates the Kicks at 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined, with 356 miles of range on a tank of gas.

Which 2021 Nissan Kicks trim should I buy?

The 2021 Nissan Kicks is offered in 3 trim levels: S, SV, SR.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the value play if you want the lowest entry point and still want the core Kicks experience, including the standard safety suite, 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and push-button start. It is the trim to consider if you care most about keeping purchase price down.
• SV: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds useful everyday upgrades like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and rear disc brakes. If you want a more complete feature set without jumping to the top trim, this is the one to target.
• SR: This is the trim to choose if you want the most upscale look and the most equipment, including LED headlights, LED fog lights, a rear roof spoiler, dark chrome grille accents, and the available Premium Package with the Bose Personal Plus sound system, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and over-the-air infotainment updates.

Every Kicks comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, and the higher trims add a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Nissan Kicks?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it makes sense to shop carefully and compare listings.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,137 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.13% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,489, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Nissan Kicks's resale value?

The current average of $14,527 sits slightly below last year's $15,642.

That softer pricing suggests the market has moved in buyers' favor, which can make the Kicks easier to purchase now but may also mean future resale gains are more limited. If you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in clean condition, you should be better positioned when it is time to sell.

The model's value proposition still helps support demand because it is affordable, fuel-efficient, and well equipped for the money. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks safe?

It earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Every 2021 Kicks comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Nissan also equips every Kicks with 10 airbags, and higher trims add a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert.

The 2021 model itself was not crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA, so the strongest published crash-test evidence comes from the mechanically similar 2020 model. That older model earned all Good marks in IIHS crashworthiness testing, though its headlights varied by trim level.

Should I buy a 2021 Nissan Kicks or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.4% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.13% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It was refreshed for 2021 with more features and a more premium feel.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the better pick if you want the refreshed version with more features and a still-reasonable used price. If you are especially price-sensitive, a nearby model year may be worth comparing, but the 2021 gives you a strong mix of value, efficiency, and standard safety equipment.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 20, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.