Check out the full specs here (8/8).
We’ve already sampled the technology both on public roads and on the race track, now Nissan is almost ready to launch the first-ever Kicks for the Philippine market and believe me, it’s ready to “electrify” the market (pardon the pun).
As we earlier predicted, the Kicks E-Power will come in three variants and that’s confirmed to be the EL, VE, and VL. The entry-level Kicks E-Power EL comes in at P 1.209 million, the Kicks E-Power VE at 1,309,000, and the Kicks E-Power VL at P 1,509,000.
All share the same powertrain and this case, it’s a 100 percent electric motor drive system utilizing battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology from the all-electric Leaf. The EM47 electric motor is the sole means of propulsion for the crossover. Instead of plugging into a socket, a 1.2-liter (HR12DE) serves as a power generator for the 2.06-kWh lithium-ion battery. As the “Step 2” version of e-Power, the Philippine market Kicks makes 136 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque.
The Kicks e-Power measures in at 4,300 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and 1,615 mm in height. Wheelbase is at 2,615 mm while curb weight ranges from 1,343 kilograms (VE) to 1,359 kilograms (VL). Ground clearance is at 175 mm.
All variants get LED headlights, a high-gloss black grille with chrome highlight, LED taillights, roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels with 205/55R17 tires, and a shark’s fin antenna. The VE is differentiated by the addition of LED DRLs, while the VL adds automatic headlights, front fog lights, and a standard two-tone color motif.
Inside, all variants benefit from a push button start/stop, a 7-inch TFT driving information display in the instrument cluster, electronic parking brake with auto hold, automatic climate control, and USB charging ports for the rear occupants. Only the Kicks E-Power VL though gets a leather steering wheel and seats.
The entry-level EL uses a 2-DIN sound system with stereo, USB, and aux inputs, but jumping up to the VE and VL gets you an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB Type A and USB Type C ports. The speaker count also goes up from 4 to 6 in the VL.
In terms of safety, dual SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control with hill start assist, cruise control, and rear parking sensors are standard.
However, only the Kicks VE and VL benefit from 6 airbags as well as the Nissan Intelligent Mobility Features suite. The VE gets Intelligent Emergency Braking, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, and Driver Attention Alert, The VL goes further with a 360-degree camera.
Nissan dealerships across the Philippines are accepting reservations for the all-new Kicks E-Power with retail sales starting on August 12.
Two airbags only..Saving costs as usual
ReplyDeleteAt least they've added ADAS
Only the base model gets it, while the rest gets 6 airbags.
DeleteI read somewhere VE or VL has Side Airbags
ReplyDeleteApologies. The VE upward has side airbags. The article has been corrected for that.
DeleteSir Uly, how was the 280nm of Torque during your test drive? Can it compensate well for the added weight of the hybrid system?
ReplyDeleteShouldn't it have instant maximum torque because of the electric motor?
DeleteOn paper, yes it should. But we need to know the real life experience given the added weight of the hybrid system and the electronics installed.
DeleteIn our brief driving experience, you could really feel the instant torque. It should make for one interesting test drive (when Nissan makes it available).
DeleteWho is the EL for? They cut out the infotainment, airbags and safety systems for 100k? Is this because of the chip shortage?
ReplyDeletePerhaps to sway those leaning towards chinese TOTL offerings from geely, mg, etc. Just like the base HRV and Cross.
DeleteVE is the sweet spot though.
Looking forward to Uly's full review. I feel like this is going to be the best in segment overall.
EL looks to cover the entry-level HR-V and Chinese crossovers.
DeleteThe base variant cost is important and is used if marque had a low down (payment) promo ongoing to show affordability even if TOTL is 300,000 more if outright :)
DeleteNissan CVT still garbage. Don't buy unless it has manual.
ReplyDeleteCVT? this is an "EV". And EV cars don't have gearbox. Not even a "Manual" one.
DeleteHahaha nakakatawa you don't even know how an EV's "transmission" works :D
DeleteIt's okay. Good time to learn about EV tech.
DeleteThis Anon @2:58PM knows nothing lol. Kicks E-power doesn't use any of that JATCO CVT crap to drive the car.
DeleteRG is always whining about powershift transmission in Ford articles here, keeping in mind that Ford no longer sells cars with powershift here. Why is nobody calling him out? 🤔
DeleteThere is no transmission since the motor directly drives the wheels
ReplyDeleteSo this is similar to the HRV's hybrid system. Im still iffy on Nissan's reliability though. But I'd still take this over any chinese brand or the ford territory.
DeleteThank goodness you answered that question.
DeletePardon my ignorance on EV technologies, if no transmission, how to swith to P, R, N, D? Or does it mean the transmission topic here is the D mode transition from first gear up to 6th if six gear transmission?
DeleteIt has a single gear. So the same gear does all the work from forward to reverse.
DeleteNo cruise control?
ReplyDeleteCruise control is standard.
DeleteIt has cruise control, albeit not the Adaptive type that slows/stops for you at low-traffic situations.
DeleteBasta Pinoy basa basa lang ng headline di binabsa buong article hahaha
DeleteHi Sir Uly and to the other commenters. Thanks for answering the questions. I am a learning a lot of information. I am actually planning on getting this vehicle. I hope to test drive it also in the future.
ReplyDeleteSo there’s no rear camera until you get the VL?
ReplyDeleteNissan hasn't revealed the full details yet, but that seems to be the case.
DeleteOr maybe it's got a standard rear camera to go with the rear sensors (but no 360-degree camera).
DeleteUnfortunately, there is no reverse camera on the VE, which is a missed opportunity. Could be that wiring harnesses have the full AVM connectors and none for just the rear. Makes the EL the best value if you have to add reverse camera post purchase.
DeleteEL only has a standard audio system so it's unlikely that the AVM connectors are present...it's more possible for the VE to get them since it's got a touchscreen infotainment system shared with the VL.
DeleteOf course, only way for certain would be someone to purchase a EL and see what connectors it has.
I really like the way they priced these and the features you get with it. Personally lang talaga not a big fan sa exterior design. Ewan ko, parang ang liit tingnan compared sa other compact crossovers, similar yung dating niya sa Raize. Sayang, if ok lang sana ako sa looks niya then I would have bought this without a second thought. Though for the people who likes the way this looks then I think its a good buy for a hybrid vehicle.
ReplyDeleteNissan Kicks is on same size as the older HR-V
DeleteI see. Though ayaw ko rin itsura nung lumang HRV. For me it looks more like a hatchback sedan than a crossover but I do like the new HRV's design though. Pero itong Kicks parang sa porma niya eh same with Raize na parang maliit sila tingnan kahit similar lang din measurements nila sa ibang crossovers. Not my cup of tea lang talaga design nila but it looks like a good overall package for the price though I can't deny that.
DeleteThe wheelbase is actually just 5mm shorter than the previous-gen CR-Vs. It's not exactly subcompact class, which I define at 2600mm or less.
DeleteDamn that was way too affordable. Corolla Cross has Adaptive Cruise control but, this Kicks e-power undercuts the Corolla Cross by PHP 100k more!
ReplyDeleteFor a 2nd car/coding car for me its either the VE or the Base HRV. Which is better?
ReplyDeleteFor longer reliability/durability n ease in repair/maintenance go for hrv. Also hrv is fuel efficient compared with its NA competitors.
DeleteBase HR-V is underpowered & feels sluggish as reported by Uly. It's even heavier than the larger 7-seater Veloz! It's CVT is also unrepairable & costs 300K to replace out of warranty.
DeleteA welcome change of pace from other's small turbo charged engines.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, the Kicks will win the Ph car of the year award.
ReplyDeleteUly, what you quoted was the introductory price, how much would the SRP go up after this month? We're planning to reserve one before the prices go up.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how was the braking feel when the regenerative braking is active? Is it similar to an i-Eloop equipped Mazda? Is the recaptured braking energy stored in an ultracapacitor or is it directly transmitted to the battery?
Unknown as to how much the prices will go up.
DeleteAs for the braking feel, it felt natural. It doesn't feel as artificial as the regenerative brakes of the Toyota hybrids. And no, this doesn't have an i-Eloop system. The i-Eloop would be very similar to a mild hybrid in that electricity is stored there (also electrical for the accessories are routed through there). Here, the recaptured braking energy goes directly to charging the battery although engaging the e-pedal step makes it strong enough to almost grind it to a halt:
https://www.carguide.ph/2022/07/thanks-to-e-power-nissan-kicks-could-be.html
Uly, have you tried the pure EV mode? How far can it run before the ICE kicks in to recharge the battery? Have you looked at the starter battery in the trunk floor, what size is it and is it an EFB or AGM battery?
DeleteBattery is a regular 12-volt lead acid (not EFB, or AGM). Because of that though, there's no spare tire. Only a tire inflator / repair kit.
DeleteAs for the range of the EV, likely a handful of kilometers only...maybe not more than five on a full charge? In the two times I've tried it out, the battery meter was never full. Typically, the Kicks will determine the most appropriate level of charge based on conditions. This can be overridden though, but I didn't get the chance to play with that yet.
I see, interesting that in most driving conditions the Li-Ion battery would be charging & discharging at the same time, I wonder what impact that would have on the battery's lifespan. It would be like using your phone while it's plugged in to the charger almost all the time.
Delete"Uly, have you tried the pure EV mode?" I believe the Kicks will always be on pure EV mode because the gas engine only works a generator?
DeleteThe Kicks will always try to be in EV mode, but there are certain circumstances where it engages the ICE. This is largely dependent on the battery's charge. Nissan has minimized the need for the ICE to kick in compared to the first-gen e-Power (the one tested in Singapore)...but it doesn't mean it'll try to deplete the battery at every given opportunity. It adjusts the activation of the ICE to minimize the wear-and-tear to the battery. Of course, you can override that with the dedicated EV mode.
DeleteIt's a 6 year old vehicle. Launched in Brazil 2016, in China 2017, with the epower engine in Thailand in 2020 (facelift)...in the Philippines 2022..it's old and outdated compared to new models from Toyota (Raize, Avanza, Veloz) & Honda (All new BRV - launching soon, now available HRV)
ReplyDeleteIt uses a newer more powerful engine and it's meant for 1st world countries like Japan.Your favorite Veloz,Avanza,Indonesian made Raize and New BR-V are meant for low class 3rd world countries with poor NVH,mediocre ride quality and cheap interior plastics.
DeleteThe chassis & platform is several years old, itcs the series hybrid powertrain that is new. That's where the interest is directed at. It's a more usable hybrid than parallel hybrids, plug-in hybrids or pure EVs for the current PH situation. The only other practical hybrid currently available here is the mild M-Hybrid solution from Mazda.
DeleteKicks is also meant for 3rd world countries...it's also loaded with cheap plastics and the fuel efficiency in real life reviews in Singapore resulted of only less than 19km/l...that's more or less the same as Raize...the all new BRV is more fuel efficient as it ticks at above 20km/l. Nice profile pic though...I really like the Nissan Almera..just not the Kicks as it is old. Peace Bro ✌️
DeleteDidnt know Singaporebis a 3rd world country 🤣
DeleteThe fuel efficiency may be matched by smaller gas engines, but not its torque which is equivalent to some 2.0L turbocharged engines & instant power delivery. Platform age doesn't matter if the design, tech & features matches or exceeds newer-released vehicles. I'd buy a 2006 BMW M5 over a 2022 Raize, for example.
Delete"fuel efficiency in real life reviews in Singapore resulted of only less than 19km/l...that's more or less the same as Raize"
Delete19kml would also be heavy traffic figure up to 50-60kmh, while the Raize would only do ~10kmh or less in heavy traffic.
Well your analogy and what you think and what I think might not be what others may think...at the end of the day...most buyers are not technical...they decide on buying vehicles based on "the low down-payment" ; whichever vehicle they choose ...the important thing is they're happy with their ownership. PS. I didn't state that singapore is a 3rd world country..I got the review of kicks epower from Singapore. I was answering previous comment that kicks epower is for 1st world country...which I believe it isn't...as it is also meant for 3rd world countries like Indonesia and Vietnam which got their kicks epower after Thailand. Same goes with veloz, avanza...as it is also available in Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore...which are not low class 3rd world countries as the previous commenter is implying.
ReplyDeleteIt simply means that the Kicks is a global model since it's available in both developed & developing countries. The others are targeted for developing countries, nothing wrong with that except that developing countries have lower quality, safety & emissions standards. It is what it is.
ReplyDeleteAgree 👍
DeleteI've just seen the brochure with the color patches per trim:
ReplyDeleteVL: Premium Corona Orange, Cayenne Red, Pearl White, Gun Metallic (all with 2-tone/black roof, Black Leather interior)
VE: Cayenne Red, Pearl White, Gun Metallic, Riptide Blue (Black Fabric interior)
EL: Cayenne Red, Pearl White, Gun Metallic, Brilliant Silver (Black Fabric interior)
Add 15,000 PhP for Pearl White
Introductory Price only until Aug. 12 launch date, 5K PhP minimum reservation (deductible, refundable)
No freebies except the usual because this is an all new model, but our agent promised free ceramic paint protection & underbody rustproofing for being an old customer. Your mileage may vary depending on your interpersonal & negotiation skills.
I drove this car today.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is that it is like the phrase:
"ONCE YOU GO BLACK YOU CAN'T GO BACK."
The only thing I do not like are the cheap plastics in the interior and the lack of a spare tire, let alone a donut spare. The technology in the powertrain feels like a jump from Intel to the M1 and M2s for Apple.
Its the future, no more spare tire, tire repair kit will be the new norm.
DeleteI got a PDF copy of the local brochure, the VL & VE have rear parking sensors, only the VL gets the 360°/Around View Monitor w/ Moving Object Detection. The lower variants don't even have rear cameras. The VL doesn't have Blind Spot Monitoring nor a kick sensor/push button for the rear hatch, no moon roof, no ventilated seats. Regular cruise control is standard for all variants. Only the VL has front fog lights (LED), the other 2 nada, not even halogens.
ReplyDeleteWow, 0-100km/h comes in at a mere 8.0 seconds based on a Japanese test I've seen on YT and 8.8 seconds on a Thai test in Normal drive mode. Impressive, would certainly kick the cr4p out of all the 3rd world turbodiesel PPVs & pickups, even the TOTL versions with 200hp+ & 500Nm+ torque.
ReplyDeleteYes but that same video shows that the accelartion is crap once you go above 100 km/h
Delete165 km/h is more than enough in the PH where 100 km/h is the speed limit in expressways. Acceleration only slowed down past 130+, and that's dependent on current battery charge.
DeleteWatch the Rosano video again, acceleration was amazingly linear from 80 to 165 km/h w/ 1/4 battery charge still remaining. When the battery was almost depleted it was still running at a constant 150 km/h. That's way more than enough to outrun most crossovers & SUVs at typical overtaking speeds.
DeleteThe video also noted that 165 km/h was an electronic speed limit.
Delete200K worth???
ReplyDeleteDifference b/w VL vs VE Variant (as seen on the brochures)
1. Intelligent Around View Monitor - VL
2. Weight 1359 kg VL vs 1349 kg VE
3. 6 speakers VL vs 4 speakers VE
4. Auto on/off Headlamps VL
5. Front Foglights VL
6. Seats - Leather VL vs fabric VE
7. Inside chrome door handle VL
8. 2 tone paint (roof) VL
Sorry I can't found the electric data how manny kwh has the battery? How Manny hp has the syncron motor? How long is the way i can drive electric in km?
ReplyDeleteBattery is 2.06-kWh--good for about 5 kilometers of EV use (max). In the city, you're looking at, maybe, 2 kilometers tops.
DeleteHP for the electric motor is 136 horsepower / 280 Nm of torque.