WHAT WE'RE DRIVING

Since its U.S. launch for the '18 model year, the positioning of the Kicks has puzzled me. Though Nissan was anxious to bill it a “crossover,” I think most would call it a “car.” Nissan hardly is alone in this marketing sleight-of-hand. Given American buyers' refusal to tarnish themselves with anything that can't be construed as some kind of truck, it's at least understandable.

But here's my rule: no calling it a crossover if it can't be had with all-wheel drive. And confoundingly, inexplicably, stubbornly against all sense, the Kicks is strictly front-drive. Apart from that, the Kicks probably accomplishes some of the mission of grabbing buyers who need to think they're not purchasing a car; Nissan sold a comparatively healthy 58,858 Kicks in 2020.