Nissan Kicks e-Power

While the exterior design of the Nissan Kicks E-Power looks fresher with the bolder front fascia than before, the cabin layout receives very little change. Considering that the Nissan Kicks is in existence for more than half a decade now, the cabin now looks slightly dated, when compared to the fresher new rivals in the market.

Nevertheless, the cabin of the Nissan Kicks E-Power is a finely designed space, with a dual-tone black and cream Nappa leather upholstery livening up the cabin. The instrument console has been revised with a new 7-inch full-TFT screen. The middle layer of the dashboard is executed in soft-touch leather and gets a trapezoidal 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a piano black finish in it. The lower centre console continues to have a small rounded panel for the automatic climate control, but the lower transmission panel is revised with a new transmission lever.

This is the facelifted version of the Nissan Kicks which was introduced to the world in 2020. With this facelift, the Nissan Kicks became much more aggressive to look at, something which has increased its visual appeal significantly.

At the front, the Nissan Kicks E-Power has a bolder appearance, with sleek, angular, and sweptback headlamps which are all LED units. These headlamps come with a strip of daytime running LED on their lower edges. The V-motion grille design of the Nissan Kicks E-Power has grown in size but continues to have a trapezoidal design with a piano black side and lower finish. The front bumper is new as well, with new vertical housings for the LED fog lamps.

The side profile of the Nissan Kicks E-Power gets minimal changes compared to the pre-facelift global version. There is a set of new 16-inch machined alloy wheels, while the muscular stance with taut shoulder lines continues to grace its side look. The sloping down front fender and flared wheel arches give it a sporty stance. The visual appeal is further enhanced by the slim roof rails and lower strip on the side body moulding, which are finished in satin chrome.

The rear profile of the Nissan Kicks E-Power has received minimal changes over its predecessor as well. The sharply raked rear windscreen and boomerang-themed tail lamp continue to make the Kicks look sporty, with the latter now getting revised LED inserts in them. The large trapezoidal housings for the license plate and integrated roof spoiler enhance the look of the Kicks even more.

The Nissan Kicks E-Power is one of the finest handlers in its segment of premium compact SUVs. The suspension combination of MacPherson struts at the front and torsion beam at the rear make the ride quality rock-solid and free of undulations. It takes bad roads with aplomb, thus making it a terrific SUV to be in behind the steering wheel.

The Nissan Kicks E-Power gets a combination of a 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine paired to an electric motor and lithium-ion battery as the standard powertrain. Shared with the Note E-Power, this powertrain is coupled to a CVT gearbox and produces a combined power output of 129 PS and a combined torque output of 260 Nm.

Apart from the engine, the Nissan Kicks E-Power shares its safety equipment list with the Note E-Power. The premium compact SUV gets seven airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, vehicle dynamic control, intelligent trace control, hill start assist, and intelligent driver alertness. It also gets a 360-degree parking camera for making parking duties a breeze.

While the comfort and convenience features of the Nissan Kicks E-Power are fewer than expected, the premium compact SUV impresses in every other aspect. It is a finely engineered SUV with an impressive performance, sorted ride and handling balance, and a premium experience in and out.