The Nissan Kicks is a subcompact crossover SUV introduced for the 2018 model year in North America. It is produced in two distinct generations: the first generation (2018-2024) and the second generation beginning in 2025.
This guide provides year-by-year towing specifications for the Nissan Kicks, including manufacturer-rated towing limits, payload data, and hitch requirements. Nissan explicitly states in owner’s manuals across all model years: “Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.” Adhering to manufacturer limits protects the engine, transmission, and braking systems from premature wear or failure.
2025 Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 2.0L I-4 (141 hp, 140 lb-ft) |
| Drivetrain | FWD / AWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Not rated for towing (0 lbs / 0 kg) |
| Conventional Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Fifth-Wheel / Gooseneck Capacity | N/A |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 915-959 lbs (415-435 kg) |
| Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | N/A |
| Tongue Weight Limit | N/A |
| Hitch Class | N/A |
| Factory Tow Package | Not available |
The 2025 Nissan Kicks enters its second generation with a redesigned platform and a new 2.0-liter engine. Despite the larger powertrain, Nissan does not assign a trailer weight rating. The owner’s manual explicitly instructs owners not to tow a trailer. This applies to both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.
2024 Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.6L I-4 (122 hp, 114 lb-ft) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Not rated for towing (0 lbs / 0 kg) |
| Conventional Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Fifth-Wheel / Gooseneck Capacity | N/A |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 849-936 lbs (385-425 kg) |
| Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | N/A |
| Tongue Weight Limit | N/A |
| Hitch Class | N/A |
| Factory Tow Package | Not available |
The 2024 Nissan Kicks carries the same 1.6-liter engine and continuously variable transmission (CVT) used throughout the first generation. Maximum trailer weight remains unrated. Payload varies slightly by trim, with the SR trim offering up to 936 lbs. No tow package is offered from the factory.
2023 Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.6L I-4 (122 hp, 114 lb-ft) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Not rated for towing (0 lbs / 0 kg) |
| Conventional Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Fifth-Wheel / Gooseneck Capacity | N/A |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 922-974 lbs (418-442 kg) |
| Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | N/A |
| Tongue Weight Limit | N/A |
| Hitch Class | N/A |
| Factory Tow Package | Not available |
The 2023 Nissan Kicks continues with the single-powertrain configuration. Multiple data sources confirm a maximum towing capacity of zero pounds. Nissan’s owner’s manual reinforces the prohibition against trailer towing for this model year.
2022 Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.6L I-4 (122 hp, 114 lb-ft) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Not rated for towing (0 lbs / 0 kg) |
| Conventional Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Fifth-Wheel / Gooseneck Capacity | N/A |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | Approx. 925-978 lbs (420-444 kg) |
| Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | N/A |
| Tongue Weight Limit | N/A |
| Hitch Class | N/A |
| Factory Tow Package | Not available |
The 2022 model year shows no change in towing policy. Industry specification databases list trailer weight ratings as “N/A” or zero. The vehicle’s CVT and unibody platform were not engineered to handle the thermal and mechanical stress of trailer loads.
2021 Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.6L I-4 (122 hp, 114 lb-ft) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Not rated for towing (0 lbs / 0 kg) |
| Conventional Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Fifth-Wheel / Gooseneck Capacity | N/A |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 916-978 lbs (416-444 kg) |
| Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | N/A |
| Tongue Weight Limit | N/A |
| Hitch Class | N/A |
| Factory Tow Package | Not available |
The 2021 owner’s manual contains identical language: “Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.” Payload capacity varies from 916 lbs on the SR trim to 978 lbs on base configurations. These payload figures reflect passenger and cargo weight limits, not trailer capacity.
2020 Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.6L I-4 (122 hp, 114 lb-ft) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Not rated for towing (0 lbs / 0 kg) |
| Conventional Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Fifth-Wheel / Gooseneck Capacity | N/A |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 925-944 lbs (420-428 kg) |
| Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | N/A |
| Tongue Weight Limit | N/A |
| Hitch Class | N/A |
| Factory Tow Package | Not available |
The 2020 Kicks returns payload figures between 925 and 944 lbs depending on trim level. No towing specification exists in Nissan’s literature. Third-party comparisons with segment competitors consistently list the Kicks as having no trailer towing capability.
2019 Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.6L I-4 (122 hp, 114 lb-ft) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Not rated for towing (0 lbs / 0 kg) |
| Conventional Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Fifth-Wheel / Gooseneck Capacity | N/A |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 944 lbs (428 kg) |
| Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | N/A |
| Tongue Weight Limit | N/A |
| Hitch Class | N/A |
| Factory Tow Package | Not available |
The 2019 Kicks owner’s manual includes cautions specific to the CVT drivetrain during any towing scenario. Nissan warns that towing with the front wheels on the ground can cause serious transmission damage. The vehicle was designed solely for passenger and light cargo transport.
2018 Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Options | 1.6L I-4 (122 hp, 114 lb-ft) |
| Drivetrain | FWD |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | Not rated for towing (0 lbs / 0 kg) |
| Conventional Towing Capacity | N/A |
| Fifth-Wheel / Gooseneck Capacity | N/A |
| Maximum Payload Capacity | 944 lbs (428 kg) |
| Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) | N/A |
| Tongue Weight Limit | N/A |
| Hitch Class | N/A |
| Factory Tow Package | Not available |
The 2018 launch year establishes the pattern that holds through the entire first generation. Curb weight is approximately 2,645 lbs, and towing is listed as “not recommended.” The vehicle was introduced without any towing infrastructure such as a transmission cooler, trailer brake wiring, or reinforced rear subframe.
Towing Equipment and Setup Considerations
Even though Nissan does not rate the Kicks for towing, some owners install aftermarket hitches for cargo carriers or bike racks. Understanding the equipment landscape remains useful for accessory mounting.
A Class I hitch is the most common aftermarket option found for the Kicks, typically rated for up to 1,500 lbs on vehicles designed for towing. However, installing a hitch on the Kicks does not change the manufacturer’s prohibition against pulling a trailer. The vehicle’s CVT lacks a dedicated transmission cooler, and the powertrain control module has no tow/haul mode.
Trailer brakes are not applicable since no trailer towing is authorized. Weight distribution hitches are similarly irrelevant. The only practical accessories for the Kicks are hitch-mounted cargo platforms or bike racks, which impose a vertical tongue load well below any aftermarket hitch rating.
| Towing Accessory Consideration | Nissan Kicks Applicability |
|---|---|
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | Aftermarket only; Class I available |
| Trailer Brake Controller | Not applicable |
| Weight-Distributing Hitch | Not applicable |
| Transmission Cooler | Not available from factory |
| Trailer Sway Control | Not applicable |
| Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier | Acceptable within payload limits |
| Tow/Haul Driving Mode | Not available |
Payload capacity remains the critical number for Kicks owners. With maximum payload ranging from 849 to 978 lbs across model years, the weight of passengers, cargo, and any hitch-mounted accessory must remain below the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which is approximately 3,583 to 3,660 lbs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum towing capacity of a Nissan Kicks?
The Nissan Kicks has no manufacturer-rated towing capacity. Nissan instructs owners not to tow a trailer with this vehicle in owner’s manuals spanning all model years from 2018 through 2025.
Can a Nissan Kicks tow a small trailer or camper?
Nissan does not recommend towing any trailer, regardless of size or weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) and unibody platform were not designed for the additional thermal and mechanical stress that trailer towing imposes.
How much can a Nissan Kicks tow with an aftermarket tow package?
Even with an aftermarket hitch installed, the maximum trailer weight limit remains zero according to Nissan. Adding a hitch does not alter the vehicle’s engineering limits, and towing against manufacturer guidance may void powertrain warranty coverage.
Does the 2025 Nissan Kicks have a towing capacity?
No. Despite a larger 2.0-liter engine and available all-wheel drive, the 2025 Nissan Kicks towing capacity is still not rated. The owner’s manual for the 2025 model year carries the same “Do not tow a trailer” warning as previous years.
What is the payload capacity of a Nissan Kicks?
Maximum payload capacity ranges from approximately 849 to 978 lbs depending on model year and trim level. This figure represents the total allowable weight of passengers and cargo inside the vehicle.
Can I flat tow a Nissan Kicks behind an RV?
No. Nissan explicitly warns against flat towing any CVT-equipped model with all four wheels on the ground. Doing so will cause internal transmission damage due to lack of lubrication. The Kicks must be transported on a flatbed truck or with the front wheels off the ground on a dolly.
Why is the Nissan Kicks not rated for towing when competitors can tow?
The Kicks uses a continuously variable transmission without a dedicated fluid cooler, a relatively low-output engine with 114 to 140 lb-ft of torque, and a lightweight unibody structure. These design choices prioritize fuel economy and urban maneuverability over towing capability, placing the Kicks among subcompact crossovers not engineered for trailer loads.
Conclusion
The Nissan Kicks maximum towing capacity is zero across all model years from 2018 through 2025. Nissan has maintained a consistent engineering position: the Kicks is not designed, rated, or approved for towing any trailer.
Payload capacity ranges from approximately 849 to 978 lbs depending on model year and trim, governing the allowable weight of occupants and cargo inside the cabin. Engine output varies from 122 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque in first-generation models to 141 horsepower and 140 lb-ft in the second-generation 2025 model. Neither powertrain configuration includes factory provisions for trailer towing such as a transmission cooler, trailer brake controller integration, or tow/haul calibration.
Owners who require towing capability should consider vehicles with manufacturer-rated towing specifications. Always verify specifications using the owner’s manual before attempting to tow with any vehicle.
Key Takeaways
- The Nissan Kicks has no manufacturer-rated towing capacity for any model year from 2018 through 2025; Nissan’s official position is that the vehicle should not tow a trailer.
- Owner’s manuals across all model years state “Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle,” reflecting the CVT’s lack of a transmission cooler and the platform’s light-duty engineering.
- Maximum payload capacity ranges from approximately 849 to 978 lbs depending on model year and trim, limiting the combined weight of passengers and cargo.
- Installing an aftermarket hitch does not change manufacturer towing limits and does not make trailer towing safe or warrantied.
- Flat towing the Kicks behind an RV is prohibited and will damage the CVT; the vehicle must be transported on a flatbed or with front wheels raised on a dolly.
