The second-generation Nissan Kicks is here — and Japan gets the best version.
Nissan announced the launch of the all-new Kicks on June 17, with sales starting the following day. It’s a full redesign, not a facelift, and it brings meaningful upgrades under the skin.
The Japan-market Kicks runs Nissan’s e-Power hybrid setup — something the US model doesn’t get. The front motor produces 143 PS and 315 Nm, driven by a 1.4-litre HR14DDe three-cylinder engine that functions purely as a generator.
The wheels are never driven by the petrol engine directly. This is the third-generation e-Power system, making its Japanese debut after first appearing in the European Qashqai.
Nissan has also repackaged the e-Power hardware into a single 5-in-1 module, grouping the drive motor, generator, inverter and gearing components to cut size and weight.
For the first time on the Kicks, Nissan has added e-4orce all-wheel drive. The AWD variants pair the same 143 PS front motor with a rear motor producing 68 PS and 140 Nm.
Combined system output has not been listed. Fuel economy on the WLTC cycle runs from 23.4 to 25.7 km/L for front-wheel-drive models, while e-4orce variants return 20.1 to 21.5 km/L.
The car has grown too. The new Japan-market Kicks measures 4,365 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and up to 1,615 mm tall, with a 2,655 mm wheelbase.
The interior gets a dual 12.3-inch display and NissanConnect with Google. ProPilot driver assistance is standard across the range.
Pricing in Japan runs from ¥2,999,700 (RM76,961) for the entry X Simple Package 2WD to ¥4,248,200 (RM109,000) for the top-spec G e-4orce.
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