After being previewed last month at Clark International Speedway, the 2023 Nissan Kicks e-Power subcompact crossover SUV has finally reached Philippine dealers. What our market is receiving is the facelifted version, which comes with an upgraded exterior and interior design. More importantly, it’s currently the most affordable hybrid crossover SUV money can buy.
We’ve already driven the new Kicks e-Power at Clark International Speedway, and you can read our initial impressions here. What we’re going to tell you here are its key specifications. From the outside, the three variants on sale, which are the EL, VE, and VL, all look very similar. Surrounding the Kicks’ V-Motion grille is a pair of standard LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, though this gets upgraded to auto on/off units with the top trim VL. All variants also come with LED taillights and 17-inch two-tone wheels, while the top trim VL can be had with a black contrasting roof.
It’s when you go inside the Kicks where the differences in each variant are more pronounced. Starting with the base EL, this comes with a 7-inch partly-digital instrument cluster, fabric seats, urethane steering, smart entry with push-button start, synthetic leather-wrapped dashboard, electronic gear shifter, electronic parking brake, a standard radio with Bluetooth, USB, and Aux input, and single-zone automatic climate control.
Stepping up to the mid-spec VE gets you an 8-inch Nissan Connect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a leather steering wheel. Finally, the top trim VL gets leather upholstery, a six-speaker audio system, and chrome interior door handles.
Underneath the hood of the Kicks e-Power is the Japanese automaker’s unique e-Power hybrid system. The hybrid system consists of a 1.2-liter inline-3 petrol engine and an electric motor. However, unlike most hybrids–wherein the wheels are powered by both the combustion engine and electric motor, the tiny three-cylinder engine does not provide power to the front wheels. Rather, it only acts as a generator to charge the e-Power system. The electric motors powering the Kicks e-Power have an output of 129 hp and 260 Nm of torque.
Safety has always been a strong point for Nissan, and the Kicks is no exception. The base EL comes with dual SRS airbags, electronic stability control, and ABS with EBD. Stepping up to the VE brings up the airbag count to six, whilst adding a reverse camera and a host of Nissan Intelligent Mobility advanced driver-assistance tech, such as Intelligent Emergency Braking, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, and Driver Attention Alert. The top trim VL then benefits from a 360-degree camera system.
The 2023 Nissan Kicks e-Power is quite aggressively-priced for an electrified subcompact crossover SUV. The Kicks e-Power is currently the most affordable hybrid vehicle in the Philippines with the following prices:
- EL: P1,209,000
- VE: P1,309,000
- VL: P1,509,000
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