Little Day Trippers

from Bay Area Houston Magazine - March 2023

Living Word Church is Covered!

By Don Armstrong

SUVs has overtaken American roadways, they come in all sizes and price points. A few subcompact types have come and gone – like the Scion xB and Nissan Cube, but there are a couple of completely redesigned models that may pique your interest in the 20K price category.

Nissan Kicks

Finally, the Nissan Brand has shown that it is still alive and well with its redesigned entry called Kicks, a diminutive, fun, and viable runabout that may be perfect for the new Bay Area family.

The Kicks has symmetrical, modern styling with defined front fenders, signature Nisan grille and short rear overhang. We particularly like the swept back headlights and unique styling elements incorporated into the front facia.

The rear has a high, bustle-back hatch with wrap around taillights that complete the attractive design.

The interior has a lot of hard plastic surfaces, but its soft touch areas and cleaver arrangement seem to minimize what would otherwise be a turn-off. We love the infotainment system and its easy-to-use controls. It’s also great for those who aren’t as computer savvy as others. Rear seat legroom is minimal, but with the back folded down, storage is greatly enhanced.

Kicks is powered by 1.6-liter gasoline engine that motivates the front wheels; all-wheel drive is not on the menu. You can get your Kicks starting at $20,290.

Kia Soul

The 2023 Kia Soul may not be an SUV by definition but this hatchback design is similar to the Nissan Kicks in that 4-wheel drive is not available and neither is it a true off-roader.

When the Soul first hit the market in 2008, its weird design caught the attention of many and became an instant success. Although most of the quirkiness has melded into the current version, its utility remains. The boxy shape, upright rear hatch and refreshed look have helped keep its mass appeal.

The interior is just as unique as the exterior with a center dash pod that holds the easy-touse infotainment system. Front speakers with integrated air vents are sculpted into the unique door handles with an escutcheon panel. Cloth seating is comfortable and supportive.

Under the hood is a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine that gets 30-MPG. The CVT transmission drives the front wheels, and the agile suspension gives it a sporty, fun feel.

You can get a little Soul beginning at $19,890. We think it’s a great introduction to motoring.