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| 2021 Nissan Kicks |
The fully-imported-from-Thailand Nissan Kicks is a brand-new compact crossover that starts at 2,759,900 Yen (around $28,000) and with such pricing, that's about slightly more expensive than the hybrid variant of the Toyota C-HR, which is shame as such for the newcomer but what to expect at this new model?
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| 2021 Nissan Kicks |
For starters, the Kicks is better looking than the Juke it replaces because of its striking front face but the sidelines and the rear view are somewhat contemporary for crossover standards. Although better-looking than the Juke, the design is more of mixed nuts if you know what I mean and when you take it on the road, you feel like a commoner like the rest of the world. Common sense.
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| 2021 Nissan Kicks interior |
Inside, the Kicks is as comfortable as your dad's current car you're sitting on and it feels very decent to live with. On the driver's side, the dashboard works like every other car should and you can't go wrong about getting familiarized with the layout. Boot space wasn't so shabby either. So, if you are looking for a mature tall-riding hatchback that is fit enough for the trip to the mall with your friends or for work-related stuff in case of logistics and TNVS purposes, consider the Kicks your next go-to car for the job. Well done, Nissan.
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| 2021 Nissan Kicks |
The Kicks is the first Nissan crossover to come with the company's revolutionary e-Power powertrain, which is different than any hybrid car in the way it operates. First applied on the Note and Serena, the e-Power powertrain lets the 95kW EM57 electric motor do the talking while the HR12DE 1.2L petrol engine serves as the generator for its batteries. It's linked to a shift-by-wire system and comes with a similar One-Pedal function just like in today's Leaf. With this, fuel economy by WLTP standards is around 21.6km/L, which is less than the C-HR hybrid, but forget about that because, with the e-Power, the Kicks is in a totally different league compared to other hybrid crossovers.
Like most tiny crossovers, the Kicks is front-wheel drive only so the only thing it can do is a spot of urban living in the new normal, and while dynamics are decent, it's not as refined as the European opposition but for day-to-day use, the Kicks is not a bad crossover to live with it especially when it comes with the ProPilot safety system, which is too much information if you know what I mean.
In the end, after checking everything from top to bottom, all the way to the inside out, the Kicks feels a bit like the Juke it replaces. While it's better looking than the Juke and nice to live with, the powertrain and dynamics need a bit more oomph, although the e-Power powertrain does live up to its name. The Kicks is a decent crossover for the urban landscape of the new normal but it deserves better and that is the bottom line.
Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.