2023 Nissan Kicks e-Power starts at PHP 1.209 million

Nissan PH begins pre-selling of 2023 Kicks e-Power

Nissan is set to electrify the lucrative B-segment crossover market. After announcing its imminent arrival in the Philippines, the Japanese automaker has officially started the pre-selling of the all-new 2023 Kicks e-Power. Aimed to combine the very best of an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid, the Kicks e-Power aims to bring electrification to its customers.

Nissan has released the pricing, variants, and specifications of its new e-Power crossover for the country. There will be a total of 3 variants to choose from, depending on the budget and needs of a customer, but all three will have the e-Power system driving the front wheels.

But first, let’s talk about the design and exterior features of the all-new Kicks.

All variants of the new crossover will be fitted with a pair of sleek LED headlights that is complemented by a Black ‘Double V-Motion’ grille. It also gets faux air vents on the front bumper, black body cladding, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 205/55/17 tires, eye-catching LED taillights, silver garnishes on the bumpers, roof rails, and LED daytime running lights. Only available in the top-spec VL variant are the front foglights and automatic LED headlights.

In terms of size, all Kicks e-Power variants measure 4300mm long, 1960mm wide, and 1615mm tall. It has a wheelbase of 2620mm and a ground clearance of 180mm.

When it comes to interior amenities, the Nissan Kicks has plenty on offer. For starters, it has Nissan’s famous Zero Gravity front seats which are standard across all variants. It also has a tilt/telescopic steering column, flat-bottom steering wheel with audio controls, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold function, Nissan genuine floor mats, push-button start with keyless entry, automatic climate control, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, a black leather dashboard trim with gray stitching, and USB charging ports for the rear passengers.

Available only on the top-spec variant are the leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel,  and chrome door handles on the inside. Despite having some extra niceties, all models of the Kicks e-Power come with 470 liters of luggage space when the rear seats are up. Fold them down, however, and cargo space goes up to a more generous 835 liters.

Infotainment in the all-new Kicks comes in two forms. In the VL and VE models, the crossover has an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB-C and USB-A ports, and AM/FM radio. For the entry-level EL version, the touchscreen is replaced by a simpler 2-DIN sound system that has AM/FM radio, USB, and Aux connectivity features.

As mentioned earlier, the Kicks comes with the brand’s innovative e-Power (hybrid) system. Unlike a regular parallel hybrid system wherein both the engine and electric motor work together in unison to move a vehicle, the e-Power system works differently. The Kicks has a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine but it’s only used to charge the vehicle’s lithium-ion batteries located underneath the front seats. They then power the e-Power’s 349V electric motor called the EM47. The electric motor puts out 136 PS along with a meaty 280 Nm of torque which is sent to the front wheels.

Thanks to the e-Power setup, the Kicks delivers an EV-like driving experience without the range anxiety associated with typical electric cars. In addition, it provides instantaneous torque at 0 RPM and a smoother driving experience. Drivers can also choose from 3 different driving modes on the Kicks e-Power; Eco, Normal, and Sport.

In order to recuperate lost energy while driving and to improve its efficiency, it comes with regenerative braking that can be activated via Eco and Sport driving modes. It also has the e-Step Pedal which allows for one-pedal driving much like the all-electric Nissan Leaf.

Safety-wise, all models of the Kicks e-Power come with the following; anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, vehicle dynamic control (VDC), cruise control, hill-start assist, and dual front SRS airbags.

In the VE and VL variants, the Kicks e-Power comes with more extra safety features like dual front side and curtain airbags, rear parking sensors, and a suite of Intelligent Mobility Features. This gives the crossover smart driver aids like intelligent around view-monitor (IVM) with moving object detection (MOD), intelligent forward collision warning (IFCW), intelligent emergency braking (IEB),  and driver attention alert (DAA).

The 2023 Nissan Kicks e-Power will start at PHP 1.209 million for the EL version. Meanwhile, the mid-grade VE variant will be available for PHP 1.309 million. Last but not least, the top-of-the-line VL will retail for PHP 1.509 million.

At these special introductory prices, the Kicks e-Power will undercut its closest rival, the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV which starts at PHP 1.665 million. The base variant of the Corolla Cross is PHP 1.303 million, but it lacks a hybrid system.