Subcompact CUV becomes the entry point to Nissan’s lineup of 6 utilities
2018 Nissan Kicks by Clare Dear Nissan is replacing “funky” with “fun.” The Juke, with its quirky love-it-or-hate-it styling, is gone (2017 was the last production year) and its replacement is the all-new Kicks. This subcompact crossover becomes the entry level to Nissan’s lineup of six utility vehicles. The Rogue continues to lead the lineup’s sales race, followed by the Qashqai, introduced a year ago. Now the Kicks tucks in at the base of the ladder, which ultimately tops out with the Murano, Pathfinder and Armada. ▲
Appeals to tech-savvy first time buyers Kicks is aimed squarely at a young, tech-savvy demographic, probably first-time buyers, using expressive styling that borrows design cues from the brand’s DNA, including the distinctive grille, boomerang-styled lamps front and rear and Nissan’s signature floating roof design. Toss in a level of technology and connectivity that’s unexpected at this entry level, price it right with a base sticker of $17,998, and you’ve got a product that should be quite appealing to the target audience. ▲
More conventional styling than Juke Unlike the polarizing Juke, the Kicks is more conventional in its overall styling, with just enough special touches to make it stand out in a booming segment of small CUVs. Its styling is the result of a joint effort by Nissan design studios in Brazil and the US, with the original concept version making its debut at the 2014 Sao Paulo Motor Show. ▲
Built to suit North American market Kicks went on sale elsewhere about a year ago, while engineers worked on the North American version, upgrading it structurally to meet US-crashtest standards. They also added noise-reducing features such as acoustic glass in the windshield and side windows to minimize the intrusion of road noise. During a day of driving on urban Montreal streets and highways and secondary roads on the South Shore, it seemed those noise-reducing efforts paid off as the Kicks’ cabin remained reasonably quiet throughout. ▲
Five exterior colours; five 2-tone colour combinations Splashing extra colour on a vehicle seems to be a growing trend (again.) Two-tone colour combinations are becoming a hit, especially with younger buyers, and the Kicks is playing to that interest by offering five different roof/body combinations as available options on its SV and SR trim levels. For a reasonable fee of $150, you can mix a bright orange hue with black or gun metal grey, or white with black or deep blue pearl. The fifth combo puts a black roof over a Cayenne Red body. For the less-adventuresome, five single-colour exteriors are offered. ▲
Rear seat belies subcompact dimensions The Kicks’ interior is roomy, despite the vehicle’s compact exterior dimensions. It’s designed to seat five, although I suspect it would be a snug fit to comfortably put three full-size humans in the rear. However, there’s ample headroom and legroom for all, even those in back. The footwells under the front seats have been designed to give rear-seat occupants added space to tuck their toes underneath. ▲
Eye-catching interior trimmings The driver’s seat is adjustable six ways, while there’s 4-way adjustment for the front-seat passenger – all adjusted manually. Don’t look for a centre console to lean on, however. Although the shifter pops up from a mini floor console, space between the front seats is minimal, so the driver gets a flip-down armrest and the passenger is left to drape an arm on the door’s armrest. The tester I drove was the premium SR model with leather-like Prima-Tex seat coverings complemented by orange stitching – eye-catching trimmings. The sporty leather-wrapped steering wheel, with its flat-bottom shape, combined nicely with the leather-covered shifter knob. Don’t look for a moonroof or paddle shifters on the option checklist – neither is offered. ▲
“Gliding Wing” instrument panel The instrument panel, described by Nissan as a “Gliding Wing” design, flows across the cabin, highlighted in the centre by a standard 7.0-inch full-colour touchscreen that provides access to the infotainment system and other interfaces, including available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The screen also displays the available Intelligent Around View Monitor with moving object detection. This system uses four cameras to create a 360-degree bird’s-eye view around the Kicks, with split-screen close-ups of the front, rear and curb-side views. It also gives the driver an on-screen heads-up when it detects moving objects near the vehicle. ▲
Bose Personal Plus sound system If you opt for the SR Premium Package, you’ll be treated to a superb audio system. The new Bose Personal Plus sound system delivers a superior, driver-focused listening experience using eight speakers, including a pair of lightweight speakers tucked inside the driver’s head restraint. A control feature built into the infotainment system’s audio settings allows adjustable listening options, from front-focused sound to a wider, more enveloping experience. ▲
Crossover cargo carrying versatility The versatility that makes CUVs attractive to many buyers hasn’t been compromised in the Kicks. The folding rear seatback is split 60/40 to accommodate various loads. With the rear seatback upright, there’s 716.4 litres of cargo space – more than the Kia Soul, Hyundai Kona, Ford EcoSport or Toyota C-HR. Drop the seatback and the overall capacity climbs to 3,375 litres. Worth noting however, while the cargo floor is wide, it’s not flat; there’s a step up over the folded rear seatback, so some attention may be required when loading larger items. One feature I really appreciated: as a 6-footer-plus, the rear hatch opened high enough that I didn’t whack my noggin while loading the cargo bay. Tall folks will rejoice. ▲
Most affordable subcompact CUV A key pillar in the Kicks’ appeal is its pricing, a sensitive factor in a segment that’s become the fastest-growing in the Canadian marketplace. The base Kicks S starts at $17,998, making it the most affordable product in the subcompact CUV segment. That price includes such standard features as intelligent emergency braking with forward collision warning, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, fog lights, rear-passenger under-seat heater ducts, three USB ports, 7.0-inch colour touchscreen, rear-view monitor, variable intermittent wipers, remote keyless entry with push-button start, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows and door locks, and intelligent automatic headlights. ▲
Extensively-equipment trim levels Step up to the SV trim ($20,898) and the upgrades include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, body-colour heated outside mirrors, heated front seats, cargo cover, automatic climate control, 7.0-inch driver assist display and SiriusXM satellite radio capability. The lineup tops out with the SR trim at $22,798 and adds a 360-degree around-view monitor, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, remote engine start, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, LED low-beam headlights with LED signature accents, black heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, leather-like Prima-Tex-appointed seats with contrasting orange stitching, rear roof-mounted spoiler, Bose Personal Plus audio system, roof rails, security system and Nissan’s Intelligent Dynamics-control Module with intelligent engine brake, trace control and active ride control. ▲
Superior value against the competition Nissan presenters repeatedly reminded us how the Kicks offers superior value and content compared to the competition. For example, the popular Kia Soul requires bumping up to a $28,495 trim to get intelligent braking, which is standard on the base Kicks S. Heated front seats require a $21,695 trim level versus the Kick SV, which includes the feature in its $20,898 price tag. ▲
Lots of features for little cash outlay Similarly, the new Hyundai Kona requires a $27,499 trim level for intelligent braking and $20,999 for heated front seats, although its trim-level pricing to include blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert just nudges out the Kicks –$22,749 versus the SR’s $22,798. Ford’s new EcoSport subcompact CUV requires a $22,099 trim level to get the intelligent braking feature and $25,099 for heated seats. ▲
One powertrain to unite them all There’s just one powertrain package offered with the Kicks – a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder with a continuous variable valve timing system controlling its 16 valves. The engine’s output, rated at 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque, is channelled through an Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels. No all-wheel drive package is offered, likely to keep the price point in check, but the Kicks does have 17.8 centimetres of ground clearance, so it will easily clear urban obstacles such as potholes and speed bumps. (If you really want all-wheel drive, I’m sure a Nissan sales rep will gladly steer you to the Qashqai, which has AWD models starting at less than $25,000.) ▲
Surprisingly peppy performance During my test drive I was pleasantly surprised by this 4-banger’s performance. Taking advantage of the CVT, it was perky from a standstill and still had decent response while cruising on multi-lane highways. Around town, there was enough jump in its reserve to spring with confidence into gaps in Montreal’s infamous traffic congestion. ▲
Class-leading efficiency The Kicks outpaces its competition in fuel efficiency. The 1.6L 4-cylinder’s fuel efficiency is rated at 7.7 litres/100 km in city driving, 6.6 on the highway and 7.2 combined – the best in its class. It beats the Mazda CX-3 in the combined rating by 5% (8.2 city, 6.9 highway, 7.6 combined) and the Honda HR-V by 6% (8.3 city, 6.9 highway, 7.7 combined.) The Kicks is 9% more fuel efficient (combined) than the Hyundai Kona (8.6 city, 7.0 highway, 7.9 combined) and tops the Toyota C-HR and Kia Soul by double digits – 12% better than the C-HR (8.7 city, 7.5 highway, 8.2 combined) and 15% more efficient than the Soul (9.1 city, 7.7 highway, 8.5 combined.) ▲
Tight dimensions perfect for cities Based on the same platform as the Versa and Versa Note, the Kicks has been designed with the urban driver in mind. For starters, it’s quite nimble. It also has a tight turning circle of just 10.3 metres, which was “tested” several times during the day when my driving partner and I got chatting too much and missed critical navigation directions. No problem, though, as the electric power steering enabled some quick maneuvering. ▲
Comfortable ride and stable handling Underneath, the Kicks has an independent strut and stabilizer bar suspension system up front with a twist beam and stabilizer bar setup in the rear, supplemented by twin-tube shock absorbers. Over pothole-riddled urban streets, the system soaked up the bumps well, while on the highway, the ride was comfortable and the handling quite stable. The brakes also worked well, hauling our Kicks down from speed without issue. Stopping duties are handled by ventilated discs up front and drums at the rear, with safety features such as an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist standard. ▲
Stylish from top to bottom The base S model is fitted with 16-inch steel wheels, full wheel covers and 205/60R16 all-season tires, while the upper two trim levels – SR and SV – get 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 205/55R17 all-season tires respectively. ▲
The right ingredients for success The Kicks’ appeal is more mainstream than the Juke, which was a niche model in the small CUV segment. As such, it has the right ingredients – excellent price and value, attractive styling, impressive tech content and best-in-class fuel efficiency – to be a strong player in this hot category. ▲
Keyword: FIRST DRIVE: 21 things you should know about Nissan’s new Kicks