Nissan has been lying low with their product line-up for a while now, with only the Micra and Terrano garnering interest from buyers. However, Nissan seems to want to be a part of the action in the compact SUV market with an out-and-out plan devised for the next couple of years, in the hope that Nissan tastes success. In order to reach that goal, Nissan has launched the Kicks SUV to take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Renault Captur. With its SUV-like stance, robust chassis and good clearance, it is sure to lock horns with the rivalry, as we further reveal in our Nissan Kicks review...
The Nissan Kicks is based on an updated version of the M0 platform that underpins the Renault Captur and Duster. One glance at the Kicks will reveal that it has a proper SUV stance. It has a nicely curved bonnet, a sloping nose and that signature V-shaped grille looks lovely. Also attractive are the sleek projector headlamps and the prominent creases on the flanks. Walk to the rear, and you'll notice the lovely boomerang-shaped tail lamps, the slightly protruding tail gate and the shapely bumper below. There are also skid plates at the front and rear. It must be said that Nissan have done a stellar job with the Kicks on the drawing board.
The interior of the Kicks is very impressive as well. What we found particularly classy is the fact the dashboard is wrapped in leather; it feels rather premium, although certain bits could've been better in terms of quality. Its 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is intuitive, and the semi-digital instrument cluster gets two pods: one for the tacho; the other for the fuel gauge. The front seats offer good lumbar support, and feel very comfortable and the driver's seat allows for a commanding view of the road. The central arm-rest in between the front seats isn't adjustable though. A segment-first feature includes a 360-degree camera system.
The Kicks comes powered by a 1.5-litre H4K petrol engine that makes 105bhp and 142Nm of torque, paired to a 5-speed manual transmission, and a 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine that produces 109bhp and 240Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. We drove the one with the oil-burner for our Kicks review. Initially, the Kicks feels a bit slow, but once past 2,000rpm, there is sufficient grunt. At higher speeds, the engine does feel stressed, but it's definitely more refined than the Duster and Terrano. First and second gears are short, and it requires you to work the transmission a fair bit. Thanks to the stiffly sprung suspension, the Kicks handles really well, but the steering does suffer kickback mid-corner when crashing through a pothole. Even ride quality is impressive, with almost every bump being dealt with ease.
Priced between ₹ 9.55 - ₹ 14.65 lakh, the Kicks gives you everything – right from an attractive design and a posh interior to a features list that reads like an Udupi restaurant's menu card. It's definitely worth considering, as the Kicks is Nissan's most recent and promising offering in a long time.
Do look out for our in-depth Nissan Kicks car review to find out more.
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Wheels: 16" Steel w/Full Covers
Front Bucket Seats -inc: 4-way manual driver's seat w/driver seat armrest and seat lifter and 4-way manual front passenger's seat
Radio: AM/FM Audio System -inc: 7" color touchscreen display w/6 speakers, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, streaming audio via Bluetooth, Siri eyes free, audio and Bluetooth steering wheel switches and 3 USB ports (2 charge only)
Engine: 1.6L DOHC 16V 4-Cylinder
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
31 (MPG) City / 36 (MPG) Highway
