Nissan Kicks Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick
The 2026 and 2027 Nissan Kicks receive the award after changes to rear seatbelt load limiters, though the vehicle did not earn the Top Safety Pick+ designation.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Car Types
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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2026 and 2027 Nissan Kicks its Top Safety Pick accolade. Nissan made targeted rear seatbelt load limiter changes at the start of the 2026 model year, and the 2025 Kicks had scored 'poor' in the moderate overlap crash test.
Why it matters
For U.S. buyers choosing a subcompact crossover, the award reflects measurable crash-protection improvements in later-built Kicks models. Shoppers comparing trims and model years can use the production-date changes to understand which vehicles carry the upgraded rear-passenger performance.
The 2.0-liter naturally aspirated I4 produces 141 horsepower, and the Kicks starts at $22,790 before destination charges. Vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention is rated 'marginal,' while headlight performance and pedestrian front crash prevention are rated 'good' for later-built models.
The players
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an independent nonprofit that conducts crash tests and awards the Top Safety Pick ratings used by consumers and insurers.
Nissan North America
Nissan North America is the U.S. arm of Japanese automaker Nissan, which builds and markets the Kicks crossover.
The details
The IIHS award follows Nissan's changes to rear seatbelt load limiters at the start of the 2026 model year and further rear seat and seatbelt changes for Kicks built after June 2026. The Kicks also earned a 'G+' rating for LATCH system ease of use but did not receive the Top Safety Pick+ award.
Timeline
2024: Second-generation Kicks redesigned for model year 2025
Start of 2026 model year: Nissan makes targeted rear seatbelt load limiter changes
June 2026: Further rear occupant protection changes implemented for later-produced Kicks
Roadmap
The Kicks' award shows that the IIHS Top Safety Pick program rewards mid-cycle equipment and structural fixes, not just full redesigns. For subcompact crossovers competing on price, this places safety updates alongside cost as a factor in automaker product planning.
Buyers should check the production date of a 2026 Kicks, since only vehicles built after June 2026 carry the upgraded rear-passenger rating. The $22,790 starting price and $2,000 holiday cash offer on the SR trim affect the effective cost for shoppers choosing between model years.
The takeaway
Compare the build date on any 2026 Kicks before buying, since the safety upgrades depend on when the vehicle was produced. Review the trim-level equipment and pricing against your budget to confirm which version offers the best value.
Further reading
For more on how compact vehicles compare across models, explore Car Types coverage.
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