Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks (日産・キックス) is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by Nissan since 2016. The crossover was initially introduced as a concept car under the same name and was premiered at the 2014 São Paulo International Motor Show. Nissan claimed the concept is inspired by the streets of Brazil. Currently, the Kicks nameplate is used for two similar-looking vehicles, albeit being built on different platforms with different dimensions.

The V platform-based Kicks debuted in São Paulo, Brazil in mid-2016 with the P15 chassis code. The car was designed collaboratively by Nissan's design headquarters in Atsugi, Japan, Nissan Design America (NDA) in San Diego, California, and Nissan Design America Rio de Janeiro. The Kicks was then gradually rolling out across Latin America, then it entered the United States and Canada in 2018 to replace the Juke as the subcompact crossover offering in both countries.

The B0 platform-based Kicks was introduced in India in January 2019 with the D15 chassis code. The company stated the vehicle is built on the platform to reduce production costs. It is slightly larger than the V platform-based Kicks, and retained the same wheelbase as the first-generation Dacia Duster and the B0 platform-based Renault Captur. The D15 Kicks ceased production in 2023.

The second-generation Kicks was introduced for the North American market in March 2024.

Global market (P15; 2016)
Originally unveiled as a concept in 2014, the Nissan Kicks was showcased across Brazil during summer 2016 to promote the Summer Olympics, of which Nissan was a lead sponsor. The crossover went on sale in China in July 2017, replacing the Livina C-Gear.

The Kicks made the North American debut on 29 November 2017 at the Los Angeles Auto Show and was slated to be on sale in June 2018. Imported from Mexico, it replaced the Juke and also indirectly replaced the Versa Note as a subcompact hatchback offering in the region. The Kicks was launched in the Middle East in December 2017.

The Kicks features a standard touchscreen audio system with Bluetooth for hands-free calling and wireless stereo audio streaming, as well as USB integration and a rearview backup camera display. Up-level models also offer an upgraded infotainment system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, as well as a Bose premium amplified audio system that features small speakers mounted in the front headrests.

Kicks e-Power
On 15 May 2020, the Kicks e-Power was released in Thailand. Only produced in Thailand, the variant features an updated look with reworked front fascia and tail lights. The Kicks e-Power combines a HR12DE 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine and an EM57 electric motor that drives the front wheels, making it a series hybrid with no plug-in capability. The Kicks e-Power was also revealed in Japan on 24 June 2020 and released on 30 June 2020, as well as in Singapore on 9 July 2020, Indonesia on 2 September 2020, the Philippines on 12 August 2022, and Vietnam on 2 November 2022. Its launch for the Mexican market was announced on 10 September 2021, to celebrate Nissan's 60th anniversary in the Mexican market.

Since June 2022, all-wheel drive is available by the addition of a MM48 motor as an option for the Japanese market.

2020 facelift
An updated version of the standard Kicks was revealed in December 2020. The front fascia was made identical to the Kicks e-Power that was launched earlier, with a larger grille and LED headlights. The rear fascia received minor updates, mostly to the bumper. Inside, the 2021 Kicks received upgrades including a centre armrest, larger touchscreen, and an electronic parking brake. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard. Trim levels and powertrain are unchanged. The suspension for the 2021 Kicks, which features an independent front strut with rear twin-tube shock absorbers, is also identical to the previous 2020 model. The updated Kicks went on sale in North America in February 2021 and in the Middle East in July 2021.

Engines
The Kicks is equipped with Nissan's HR16DE 1.6 L four-cylinder petrol engine shared with the Versa. This engine generates 125 hp and 155 Nm of torque. Nissan rates this engine to receive an EPA fuel economy rating of 31 mpgus city and 36 mpgus highway. The Chinese and Taiwanese version uses Nissan's HR15DE 1.5 L four-cylinder petrol engine.

The e-Power version uses the HR12DE 1.2 L three-cylinder petrol engine rated at 78 hp at 5,400 rpm and 103 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm as a generator for the 1.57 kWh battery located under the front seats. The car itself is powered by an EM57 electric motor with 127 hp and 260 Nm of torque.

Safety
It has optional rear disc brakes.

On 1 August 2018, Mexican automotive magazine Autología took a Fan Edition version of the Kicks on a moose test. Due to a lack of an electronic stability program (ESP) in this particular trim, the Kicks nearly rolled over while performing the test at 65 km/h. A higher-spec model with ESP was also tested, and it managed to keep all four tires on the ground at the same speed but the driver did not feel the car could manage to return to the road, hence failing the test.

Latin NCAP
The Kicks in its most basic Latin American market configuration with 2 airbags received 4 stars for adult occupants and 4 stars for toddlers from Latin NCAP in 2017.

Indian market (D15; 2019)


For the Indian market, a larger car with a similar styling as the original Kicks was introduced on 22 January 2019. It replaced the Nissan Terrano, a restyled Dacia Duster offered since 2013. The D15 Kicks was also offered in Nepal and Bangladesh.

The Indian market Kicks shares platform and parts with Dacia Duster and the B0 platform-based Renault Captur to reduce costs, as both were manufactured in the same Renault-Nissan plant in Chennai. As the result, the Indian-market Kicks shares very little parts or sheet metal with the global Kicks.

The D15 Kicks initially was offered with the H4K naturally aspirated petrol engine and the K9K diesel engine, both mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. Both engines are shared with the Renault Captur. In May 2020, Nissan removed the K9K diesel engine option due to the implementation of Bharat Stage 6 emission standards. A Renault-Nissan-Daimler HR13DDT petrol turbocharged engine became the replacement. The turbo engine is rated at 156 hp and 254 Nm, which Nissan claimed was the most powerful in its segment. The engine is also offered with the X-Tronic CVT transmission option for the first time.

The Kicks was made an official car for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

In 2023, Nissan announced that the Kicks will be ending production in India and discontinued at the market due to poor sales, and the vehicle was not made compliant with Bharat Stage 6 Phase 2 emissions regulations.

Second generation (P16; 2024)
The second-generation Kicks debuted in the U.S. on 22 March 2024 for the 2025 model year. The model is 71 mm longer, 41 mm wider and 20 mm taller, with around 50 mm longer wheelbase.

The U.S. market model is powered by a larger 2.0-litre petrol engine, which is 13 kW more powerful than the 1.6-litre petrol engine used by the previous generation Kicks. An Xtronic branded continuously variable transmission is the only available choice in the US market. For the first time outside of Japan, the Kicks is also available with optional all-wheel drive.

The interior features twin 7-inch screens that serve as the gauge cluster and infotainment system, which offers Bluetooth connectivity, an aux jack and a USB type-A port. They can be optionally upgraded to 12.3-inch screens with upgraded infotainment which offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. An available 10-speaker Bose sound system features speakers integrated into the front passenger seats' headrests. A front wireless charging pad is optional in the centre console, along with up to four USB type-C ports.

Cloth seating is standard with optional heated front seats, while higher trims receive leatherette seating surfaces. The driver's seat is 6-way manually adjustable, while the passenger seat is 4-way adjustable. Both rows feature an improved seating design Nissan calls Zero Gravity.

Production of the North American market second-generation Kicks will be done in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Nissan was forced to delay the start of production (SOP) date by an additional six months from the initially planned December 2023 to June 2024 due to several issues, such as failure to pass crash safety tests and tooling theft at a supplier factory in Mexico.