Used 2021 Nissan Kicks for Sale near Washington

How much does the 2021 Nissan Kicks cost?

Prices have softened 7.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,159 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy 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 is easy to recommend for simple, affordable commuting. The overview and expert notes point to a small, attractive runabout with more features for 2021, plus strong marks for efficiency, technology, and safety.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is fairly pedestrian, and cargo space is limited. You also do not get a manual transmission, so if you want a more engaging or flexible drivetrain choice, this is not the right fit.

The market looks reasonably favorable, with 30.5% of listings marked as good or great deals.

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 practical, value-focused crossover with a strong emphasis on everyday usability, efficiency, and safety. Its expert notes also describe it as a model with a strong history of few recalls, which supports confidence for used buyers.

On the road, the powertrain is described as having enough power for its size without being zippy, and the CVT can get noisy under heavy acceleration or uphill driving. For long-term ownership, that means you should prioritize a clean service history and a test drive that confirms the transmission and engine feel consistent.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate and pay close attention to prior damage, title status, and maintenance records. A pre-purchase inspection is especially useful here because the Kicks is a value-oriented model, so condition can vary a lot from one listing to the next. Focus on how the cabin, brakes, tires, and infotainment equipment have held up.

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 automatic climate control, a driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The top trim also adds a more premium audio setup and extra comfort features.
• 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. All-wheel drive is not available, and the setup is tuned more for efficiency 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 includes a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and three USB ports. A WiFi hot spot is available, and it allows for 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.

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 tech and safety equipment. It gives you the essentials, but you give up some comfort, 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 automatic climate control, a driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port without pushing you all the way to the top trim.
• SR: Choose this if you want the most premium-feeling Kicks, with LED headlights, LED fog lights, sportier exterior details, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and access to the available premium audio and comfort package.

Every trim comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, so you do not have to move up the range to get the core driver-assistance suite.

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

This looks like a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and enough deal activity to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,159 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $14,493, 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 $14,494 sits slightly below last year's $15,648.

That softer pricing suggests the model has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. If you purchase near the lower end of the current range, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss when it is time to sell.

The Kicks also benefits from strong value positioning and broad appeal as a fuel-efficient, safety-focused commuter. That combination can help keep demand steady among budget-minded used-car shoppers.

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 scored all Good marks in IIHS crashworthiness testing and received 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 SV and SR trims add a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert.

The main caveat is that the 2021 model itself has not been crash-tested, so you are leaning on the prior model year’s results and the refresh for confidence. That makes a careful inspection and a close look at trim-level equipment especially important.

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:

• 30.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It was refreshed for 2021 with more features, while keeping the same basic appeal of a small, attractive, affordable runabout.

The bottom line: If you want the refreshed version with more features and a strong value story, the 2021 is the right target. If you are especially price-sensitive, a nearby year may save you money, but you should expect to give up some of the 2021 updates and compare condition carefully.

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 efficiency, 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 is a drawback.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.