The e-POWER hybrid Nissan Kicks lands locally in two trim levels that starts at RM 113,800.
While it has been kicking around (heh) for a rather long time everywhere else already, Nissan has nevertheless finally decided that now is finally the time for Malaysia to receive its Kicks compact crossover. This first new model in four years for Japanese automaker over here lands in two fully-imported trim levels: VL and VLT, with each retailing for RM 113,800 and RM 121,800 (RM 125,800 for a two-tone paint scheme) respectively.
For the first 500 customers, there is also currently an introductory rebate of RM 5,000 up for grabs. Early bird will be entitled to a lengthened 10-year/160,000 km EV components warranty too, which is up by two years from what is offered normally. The Kicks comes as standard with a vehicle warranty of 5 years/100,000 km as well.
Now the big news of course with the debut of this Kicks in Malaysia is that it also welcomes the local arrival of Nissan’s e-POWER system. And just for those who are perhaps unfamiliar with this powertrain, it is in essence a self-charging series-hybrid setup in which the wheels are to solely be driven by an electric motor, while the engine acts solely as an on-board electricity generator with no mechanical connection to the wheels.
In both variants of the Kicks over here, what lies under the hood of the compact crossover is to be a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine, which is responsible in keeping the 2.06 kWh Lithium-Ion battery pack topped off as it supplies the front-mounted electric motor with juice. This drive motor is currently quoted to output a healthy 95 kW (129 PS) and 280 Nm of torque, which is hence apparently good to scoot this small SUV from 0-100 km/h in a decently spritely 9.5 seconds, before eventually topping out at 180 km/h.
Though perhaps more impressive (and more pertinent its buyers) is that with this e-POWER system, the Kicks could supposedly return an impressive 21.7 km/l when tested on the NEDC cycle. This therefore allows Nissan to further go on and tout for this compact crossover to have an impressively lengthy cruising range of up to 900 km from its 41-litre fuel tank, with this small SUV also incidentally netting a pure EV mode that allows it to travel up to 2.5 km at 40 km/h.
Touching on other details regarding the Kicks meanwhile and discussing dimensions for a bit, this compact crossover measures in 4,300 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and 1,615 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,620 mm and ground clearance of 180 mm. These figures here are incidentally about the same as the previous-generation Honda HR-V, which in turn does put this Nissan on the more petite side of the SUV spectrum these days.
As for what is available on these Kicks on the other hand, among the highlights on the VL trim’s exterior are a set of boomerang-shaped automatic LED headlights with LED indicators and LED fog lights flanking its V-Motion front grille, auto-folding side mirrors in black, speed-sensing wipers as well as 17-inch alloy wheels. The higher-end VLT further adds the option of a dual-tone body exterior hue with a black roof to accentuate its floating roof design, as well as to complement the similarly dual-colour black-brown interior palette (with leather upholstery relative to fabric on its ‘zero gravity’ seats) that is exclusive to this more atas spec.
Further only found on the VLT trim of Kicks are a 360º surround view camera, an Intelligent Rear View Mirror, Active Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Both available variants of this compact crossover locally do nevertheless come as standard with a 7.0-inch TFT meter alongside its analogue speedometer, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and six speakers.
Other creature comforts worth a mention within both variants includes an electronic parking brake with auto hold, single-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped D-shaped steering wheel and 3 USB ports. Both trims of this Nissan compact crossover also come expectedly loaded with the usual passive safety acronyms as well as 7 airbags, with even the base VL trim netting Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking. With it being a direct e-motor drivetrain too, the Kicks features here a one-pedal drive ‘e-Pedal Step’ system as well.
