Automotive

Nissan Kicks off with another small SUV

Nissan Kicks off with another small SUV
Nissan will be hoping its new Kicks can give it a bigger slice of the growing compact SUV market
Nissan will be hoping its new Kicks can give it a bigger slice of the growing compact SUV market
View 14 Images
The cabin looks as if it's come from a more expensive car
1/14
The cabin looks as if it's come from a more expensive car
Nissan's Kicks has space for five inside
2/14
Nissan's Kicks has space for five inside
Nissan is yet to reveal details about the car's powertrain
3/14
Nissan is yet to reveal details about the car's powertrain
The Kicks is up against some stiff competition, so its cabin has been designed to within an inch of its life
4/14
The Kicks is up against some stiff competition, so its cabin has been designed to within an inch of its life
We think the cabin looks fantastic, especially in two-tone leather
5/14
We think the cabin looks fantastic, especially in two-tone leather
There's a focus on infotainment inside
6/14
There's a focus on infotainment inside
There's no practical benefit to Nissan fitting a flat-bottomed wheel, except that it looks cool
7/14
There's no practical benefit to Nissan fitting a flat-bottomed wheel, except that it looks cool
The car's coupe-like profile might impact on rear headroom, but it does look cool
8/14
The car's coupe-like profile might impact on rear headroom, but it does look cool
Big wheels help to make the car look more premium
9/14
Big wheels help to make the car look more premium
As you'd expect, there's a range of personalisation options available
10/14
As you'd expect, there's a range of personalisation options available
We're not sold on the way the Kicks looks in pictures
11/14
We're not sold on the way the Kicks looks in pictures
Nissan's designers have had a play with the roofline and window design
12/14
Nissan's designers have had a play with the roofline and window design
The Kicks will be sold in Brazil to start with
13/14
The Kicks will be sold in Brazil to start with
Nissan will be hoping its new Kicks can give it a bigger slice of the growing compact SUV market
14/14
Nissan will be hoping its new Kicks can give it a bigger slice of the growing compact SUV market
View gallery - 14 images

Like it or not, the number of SUVs roaming around our city streets is growing at an alarming rate. You can barely cover a block without seeing a Mazda CX-3 or Honda HR-V, so it's no surprise Nissan is keen to get a bigger slice of the pie with the brand new Kicks.

With compact crossovers like the Kicks styling is absolutely key, so that's where we're going to start. Nissan is keen to point out the aerodynamic focus of the design, arguing the car's design has been made slick as possible to improve fuel economy and cut down on cabin wind noise – though we'll reserve judgement on that front until we see some numbers.

Practical it may be, but we're not completely sold on how it looks. Although the headlamps, taillights and grille are all inoffensive on their own, there's something slightly off about the car's face and proportions. Perhaps Nissan is hoping buyers will be distracted by the colorful roof treatment and blingy wheels, but we're not big fans of the way the whole package looks.

The Kicks is up against some stiff competition, so its cabin has been designed to within an inch of its life
The Kicks is up against some stiff competition, so its cabin has been designed to within an inch of its life

Things improve markedly when you open a door, because it looks like plenty of time has been spent making the Kicks' cabin a pleasant place to spend time. The dashboard is shaped like a wing, and there's a seven-inch touchscreen in the middle to handle the multitude of connected features demanded by young buyers.

Nissan has even taken the liberty of fitting a flat-bottomed steering wheel, which has no practical benefit but does – and here's the important bit – look cool.

Along with the in-dash touchscreen, there's plenty of neat tech touches to improve the driving experience. Four on-board cameras are used to provide an around-view display, showing a birds-eye view of what's going on at all four corners of the car, which is useful for squeezing into the tight spaces outside your local coffee shop while you wait for a double vanilla decaf frappuccino.

At the moment, there's no mention of what will power the Kicks, but expect a range of four-cylinder engines to be offered from launch. The car will initially be sold in Brazil, but will eventually make its way to over 80 global markets.

Nissan's launch video for the Kicks is below.

Source: Nissan

Nissan unveils Kicks, its all-new global compact crossover

View gallery - 14 images
8 comments
8 comments
Raiban
So it's the next generation Juke?
Kaiser Derden
"Like it or not, the number of SUVs roaming around our city streets is growing at an alarming rate."
Alarming to who ? Luddites ?
StephenThiessen
Why can't the juke look this good
Michael Wilson
""Like it or not, the number of SUVs roaming around our city streets is growing at an alarming rate." Alarming to who ? Luddites ?"
People who want to save gas...People who want to see. Auto-enthusiasts who like vehicles that go-round corners, stop and accelerate well.
dugnology
UUUUUUUGLY.
aotror
I think the exterior isnt too bad looking, although the coloured roof would want to be optional or at least have a decent choice of colours. I think it would date fairly quickly. They have done nice job on the interior though.
What bothers me most about this car and many others is the fact that is even called a SUV. I mean where is the SPORT or UTILITY or frankly anything SUVish?. To me I think of a SUV as a very practical car that can go offroad, maybe carry more than 5 people or have a decent practical amount of room for a load if it cant. Decent ground clearance and at least the option of 4wd if its not the poverty pack model. At least have some of those features. This car, however good it might be just looks like a slightly beefy hatchback. Have we come the full circle now.. Hatchbacks morphing into SUV's how morphing back into hatchbacks but still classed as a SUV?
Lets face it, its just a 5 door sedan. It doesnt even appear to have extra seating or luggage capacity, no mention of 4 wheel drive..
Gizmowiz
Nissan should design a Mini beater 4 seat AWD electric convertible with Ford Cobra looks. And Tesla P100D like power train!
gene34
"but we're not completely sold on how it looks".
Wh-h-a-a-a-t-t-t! Sounds like another Honda-Toyota fanboy (Ford-GMer?) turned "automotive scribe" - or is it "scribbler"!
Match this front end against Toyota's lineup of "whale-shark-grilled" front ends and tell me you don't prefer NMC's efforts. Have to also agree with posters KD, ST, and MW.