The Nissan Kicks does 32.6 mpg combined (30.3 city, 35.8 highway), which works out to about $1,178 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 33 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 31 — a difference of $75 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Nissan Kicks engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Nissan Kicks ranges from 33 down to 31 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $75 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 31 / 36 | 2018–2024 | $1,164 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 28 / 35 | 2025–2026 | $1,239 |
What that actually costs
The Nissan Kicks burns a gallon every 32.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 368 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.098 |
| Fuel per year | $1,178 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,890 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$316 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,922 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Nissan Kicks gives up 5.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 35.8 out there against 30.3 in town, a 18% drop worth $194 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 30.3 mpg | $1,267 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 35.8 mpg | $1,073 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.5 mpg (18%) | Typical for its type |
How the Kicks changed over the years
The Kicks peaked in 2024 at 33 mpg (31 city, 36 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 31 — 2 mpg apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 31. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2025 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2024 | 31 / 36 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2023 | 31 / 36 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2022 | 31 / 36 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2021 | 31 / 36 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2020 | 31 / 36 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2019 | 31 / 36 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2018 | 31 / 36 | 1 | $1,164 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 9 EPA ratings of the Nissan Kicks — 2 engines across 2018–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $1,922. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Nissan Kicks get?
32.6 mpg combined on average — 30.3 in the city and 35.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2018–2026.
How much does a Nissan Kicks cost in fuel per year?
About $1,178 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,890 over five years, or 0.098 dollars a mile.
Which Kicks engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 33 mpg, against 31 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $75 a year.
Is the Kicks good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Kicks figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Nissan Kicks is $1,922 against the $1,178 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 33 and 31 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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