[ngrome]

At first glance it doesn't seem to be, because I read all the reviews it's touted as an urban warrior. The stiff ride and interior, not sure if it's made for long trips, particularly cross country.

Has anyone taken their Kicks far, like inter-state?

 

[eta]

I have taken the Kicks on quite a few 2-1/2 to 3 hour trips along northern part of I5. The ride is quite smooth and low noise on the highway; it is not too stiff at all. The steer is a bit on the sensitive side at high speeds. The Kicks is quite comfortable cruising at 65 to 70mph where the engine is at spinning around 2K rpm. At 80mph or more, it gets noticeable more wind and engine noise. Acceleration at those speeds is limited, due to its low power.
I usually set my cruise control at the highway speed limit of 70mph in the area, and it is all good. Fuel efficiency is good at that speed also.

 

[Izzy]

I drove 6 hours cross state and I'll say with a history of sciatica, I didn't experience it with this vehicle.

I will say however, I never quite felt comfortable in the seat and it affected by back.

And I have a good back support I use for lumbar support. But still didn't help on a long trip.

I was definitely disappointed with this aspect of the ride.

 

[ngrome]

Despite that, I ended up buying it because of the overwhelming value of the car. That I feel is the only negative aspect of the whole vehicle so far considering I'm so used to more posh seating in SUVs I used to own.

 

[Luke Fagan]

I'm about to drive from Chicago to Arizona and then to San Diego and back over the next week. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[JR5460]

Let me know how it goes. Getting ready for a trip from Indiana to Florida for some fishing.... Keep me posted.

 

[ontherun]

Apparently comfort can be an issue on long trips in the Kicks, although that can vary from person to person.

 

[ngrome]

I'm about to drive from Chicago to Arizona and then to San Diego and back over the next week. I'll let you know how it goes.

Let me know how it goes. Getting ready for a trip from Indiana to Florida for some fishing.... Keep me posted.

I'm getting ready for a 900 mile trip one way (and back, or 1800 miles round trip). I'll let you guys know how it goes, and I'm curious how you who are also traveling how your trips went. For the month I've had the Kicks, seems like my back has gotten used to the seats and it seemed to have softened up a little as well, so will see how it goes. Will check back in a few days. Safe travels everyone! Thanks.

 

[srkitchens]

My son took our 2019 Kicks (purchased 3/30/2019)(4000 miles on the odometer) for the summer and traveled from Richmond, VA to
Salt Lake City, UT
Phoenix, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
Dallas, TX

We felt the 2009 Jetta Wagon was not up to the task.

In August the Kicks returned home with just over 15,000 miles on the odometer.

Spending time in the outdoors the car's interior odor suffered (wet camping gear, occasionally sleeping in the car, unwashed boy smells, there was a mouse visitation somewhere in AZ, etc...).

He is just over six (6) feet tall but felt comfortable driving the distances.

Going thru snow (yes June snow in Utah) some of the avoidance indicators threw out sensor errors. We believe they iced over but cleared once he came off the mountain.

One of the rear seat back (seats laid down flat) dented inward from being sat/slept on.

The car averaged 36+mpg throughout the trip. His only comment was "Don't try to accelerate to quickly pass a truck".

The car has now gone with him back to school and I'm looking to replace the Jetta (what to buy, what to buy, ...).

 

[canuk]

If not for those terrible Firestone FT140 it would be a great little cruiser. These FT140 are way to hard and you feel all the road imperfections and very loud. The S, SV and SR all have the same suspension, don't know why Nissan did not just pick a 16" alloy and a better H rated tire and not compromise the ride quality.

 

[JR5460]

Just got back from the Trip from Indiana to the Gulf in Florida. The ride was very comfortable. No problems with seats and ride. We took a lot of gear with us so the car was loaded down. At 70 mph+ on the highway it drove nicely. The only thing I found that was a negative was the mountains with cruise on, the engine has a hard time with the steep inclines on cruise control. I found it better when in the mountains to turn the cruise off and use manual foot control. The average on the entire trip was around 35 mpg. Not bad with the load we were carrying.
Later,

 

[ngrome]

I'm getting ready for a 900 mile trip one way (and back, or 1800 miles round trip). I'll let you guys know how it goes, and I'm curious how you who are also traveling how your trips went. For the month I've had the Kicks, seems like my back has gotten used to the seats and it seemed to have softened up a little as well, so will see how it goes. Will check back in a few days. Safe travels everyone! Thanks.

Did my roundtrip from Chicago to Dallas a month ago, it went very well and my back was actually good due to the stiffer seats. The Sirius XM trial was very helpful as well :smile

 

[Luke Fagan]

Sorry for the delay, I forgot I posted here.

We put 4300 miles in a week and a half. Started in Chicago, drove 8 hours straight to Kansas City, stayed over night. Then went straight thru to Arizona. Stayed in AZ for a few days , then went to San Diego for 3 days. Left San Diego on a Sunday morning and drove straight thru to I-66 Casino in New Mexico. Left the next morning and drove straight thru back to Chicago. Made it home Tuesday morning and 7 am.


Trip went beautifully. Leaving the Kicks in cruise control going up the mountains on the way down, the engine revved up to around 4500 rpm. On the trip back I left the cruise off unless we were on flat land. I averaged between 75 and 85 mph. MGP averaged about 32 -35. Total gas cost was $371.11. Stopped for gas 19 times. (includes filling up when we returned).

I'm 6'1" and I drove 95% of the way. Very comfortable ride and we love the Sirius XM.

 

[kiko]

I have made 4 trips from Guadalajara to Austin, Tx in recent months, about 1000 miles each way. One trip was made in one day, 17 hours. No problems except I miss the cruise control option which is not available on the Mexican Kicks.

 

[Hotcakes]

this past winter I took mine on 2 long road trips halfway across the USA. From Washington State to Wisconsin and back, and then again down to Colorado and back. Both times it did extremely well. I did kill my gas mileage though by installing my roof basket, so my only complaint is the small gas tank. Was stopping every 300 miles to fuel up.