Used 2021 Nissan Kicks for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Nissan Kicks cost?

Prices have softened 6.31% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,112 listings available, which suggests you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Nissan Kicks earns a 4.5/5 user rating and an 8.7/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Form and function, Cost effectiveness, Technology, and Safety.

It fits well if you want a budget-friendly crossover that emphasizes fuel efficiency, a strong feature set, and everyday usability. The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, a manual transmission is not available, and cargo space is limited.

With 33.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you some 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 with low running costs and a reputation for reliability. Its standard setup is simple and efficiency-minded, and the model’s strong fuel economy and safety equipment support that reputation.

The 1.6-liter four-cylinder and CVT setup should be evaluated carefully on a used example, but the overall ownership picture points to manageable long-term risk if the vehicle has been maintained well.

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

At 73.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in a collision or shows uneven panel gaps, paint mismatch, or tire wear. Focus on the condition of the drivetrain, brakes, and interior electronics, since those are the areas most likely to affect your ownership experience. If you’re comparing multiple listings, put the cleanest history and best maintenance record at the top of your list.

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 features such as Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The top trim also adds LED headlights, LED fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a sportier appearance.
• Powertrain: Every 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 Kicks is tuned more for efficiency and easy driving than quick acceleration.
• Safety package: Every 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. Higher trims add a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims add a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, and available connected services, while the available WiFi hot spot supports over-the-air updating.
• Fuel efficiency: The Kicks is rated at 31 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined, with 356 miles of range on a single 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 the core Kicks experience. You still get the standard touchscreen, smartphone integration, and Nissan Safety Shield 360, but you give up some convenience and appearance upgrades found higher up the range.
• 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 a USB-C port without pushing into the most expensive version.
• SR: This is the trim to choose if you want the most upscale feel and the strongest feature set. It adds the sportier exterior treatment, LED lighting upgrades, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, rear disc brakes, and the integrated dynamic-control module with active engine brake, intelligent trace control, and intelligent ride control.

Safety Shield 360 is standard across the lineup, so you do not need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance suite.

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

The market looks moderately favorable if you are a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,112 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.31% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,373, 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 $14,430 sits slightly below last year's $15,401.

That decline suggests the Kicks has become more affordable for used buyers, which can make it easier to sell into a value-conscious market later. For you as a future seller, the key is to preserve condition and documentation so your car stands out against similarly priced listings. A clean history and strong maintenance record matter more when the market is already leaning toward lower prices.

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?

The 2021 Kicks has not been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

Every 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. It also includes 10 airbags, with a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert standard on SV and SR trims.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.31% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 refresh adds more features and a stronger feature set than before.

The bottom line: If you want the freshest version of this budget-friendly crossover and you value the added features from the 2021 refresh, this is the year to target. If your priority is simply the lowest possible purchase price, a nearby model year may be worth considering, but you should expect fewer features.

How does the 2021 Nissan Kicks compare to the 2021 Honda HR-V?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Nissan Kicks:

• Pros: Fuel-efficient, Standard advanced safety features, Impressive stereo.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Manual transmission not available, Not much cargo space.

2021 Honda HR-V:

• Pros: Fun to drive, Comfortable, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Poor visibility, Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2021 Nissan Kicks 8.7/10 and the 2021 Honda HR-V 6.8/10. The Kicks is the better pick if you care most about fuel economy, standard safety tech, and a strong stereo. The HR-V has the edge if you want a more engaging drive and a more comfortable feel, but its outdated technology and poor visibility are notable drawbacks.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.