Used 2021 Nissan Kicks for Sale nearSilver Spring, MD

How much does the 2021 Nissan Kicks cost?

Prices have softened 7.15% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,063 listings available, which gives you 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 budget-friendly crossover that was refreshed for 2021 with more features, while still keeping its small-footprint, practical appeal. It stands out for being fuel-efficient, offering standard advanced safety features, and packing an impressive stereo into an affordable package.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, a manual transmission is not available, and cargo space is limited. That makes it a better fit if you care more about value, efficiency, and everyday usability than speed or extra utility.

Good and great deals account for 31.1% of listings, which suggests there are still some attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Nissan Kicks reliable?

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

The 2021 Kicks is presented as a value-focused small crossover with a strong history of few recalls, and its refreshed setup adds more equipment without changing the basic formula. It also delivers a fuel-efficient, easygoing ownership experience that fits the model’s practical mission.

Its powertrain is described as delivering enough power for its size without being zippy, and the CVT can get noisy under heavy acceleration or on hills. On the upside, the model is framed as nimble in city driving and easy to park, which supports day-to-day livability.

The Kicks also includes a maintenance perk in the available package: the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is not catastrophic reliability so much as living with modest performance and the possibility that a hard-driven example may feel less refined than you want.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been used in dense city traffic or shows signs of cosmetic wear. Focus on condition, feature operation, and whether the vehicle matches the equipment level you expect from the trim.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base model is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more convenience and comfort equipment. The top trim also brings a sportier look with LED lighting, dark chrome accents, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
• Powertrain: Every model uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. Efficiency is a strength, but acceleration is modest.
• Safety package: Every model gets 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 model includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. 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.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA rates it 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 the core Kicks formula. You still get the standard safety suite, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the fuel-efficient powertrain, but it is the most basic version.
• 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 top-trim price territory.
• SR: Choose this if you want the most upscale presentation and the most equipment. It adds LED headlights, LED fog lights, black heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, a rear roof spoiler, dark chrome grille accents, and available premium audio and seating upgrades.

Every trim comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, and higher trims add extra driver-alert features.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,063 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.15% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,467, 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 $14,467 sits slightly below last year's $15,582.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to resell soon. If you buy at the right price, you reduce the chance of taking a steep depreciation hit in the near term.

The Kicks’ value-oriented positioning and strong efficiency should help it stay relevant with budget-minded shoppers. Still, its modest performance and limited cargo space may narrow the pool of future buyers compared with more versatile small SUVs.

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 IIHS or NHTSA, but the mechanically similar 2020 model earned all Good marks in IIHS crashworthiness testing and 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. It also comes with 10 airbags, and higher trims add a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert.

One caveat is that the prior model’s headlights varied in IIHS results by trim, with Acceptable or Poor ratings depending on version, though the 2021 refresh brought new headlights that may improve that area.

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:

• 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.15% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 refresh brought more features and updated styling, while keeping the Kicks’ value-focused, fuel-efficient formula intact.

The bottom line: If you want the refreshed version with more equipment and a strong mix of efficiency, safety, and value, the 2021 is the one to target. If your priority is simply the lowest possible purchase price, a nearby year may be worth considering, but you’ll want to compare equipment carefully because the 2021 update adds meaningful content.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.