Last month, Nissan gave us a taste of its next vehicle in the form of the Nissan Kick e-POWER. This time, I bet it would start at 1.2 million pesos and capped at 1.5 million pesos – and my god, I was really close to those estimates.
Officially announced today, Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) has confirmed that the 2023 Nissan Kicks e-POWER will come in three variants with prices starting at P1,209,000 for the base EL variant. The mid-tier VE version has a sticker price of P1,309,000 while the top-end VL variant will be priced at P1,509,000. It should be noted that all of these numbers are special introductory prices.
At this price point, Nissan not only knocks out the closest hybrid competitor on the market, the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV (at 1,665 million pesos), with its premium VL, but also offers the most affordable price tag. non-hybrid hybrid vehicle on the market with the EL version.
The Nissan Kicks e-POWER is now a hybrid vehicle, with the gasoline engine working alongside the electric motor. It is a parallel hybrid, which means the two work side-by-side.
However, as discussed in my previous Kicks stories, this is also a non-hybrid vehicle because the gasoline engine doesn’t spin the wheels. The internal combustion engine only acts as a generator to charge the battery, operating at the optimal rpm range for better fuel economy. Needless to say, this eliminates the need for recharging.
It should be noted that only the electric motor – housed inside the bonnet and connected directly to the front axle – spins the wheels, essentially making the Kicks an electric car in terms of driving experience. Just like an electric car, there is also no transmission because the electric motor is directly connected to the axle, so you are practically driving an electric vehicle with Kicks e-POWER. The entire Kicks range also comes with the Electronic Pedal Step, found on the LEAF EV.
What do you get with each variant of the Kicks e-POWER AT 2023? Regardless of trim level, you get full LED headlights with DRLs, LED taillights, a black “Double V-Motion” grille, body-color bumpers with silver, and body-color side mirrors. The car has integrated turn signals, body-color door handles and silver roof rails. Only the VL variant is equipped with auto-on/off headlights and LED front fog lights.
In terms of dimensions, all variants of the Kicks are 4300mm long, 1960mm wide and 1615mm tall. The length of the wheelbase is 2,620mm and it boasts 190mm of ground clearance. For comparison, the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV is longer than the Kicks in overall length but only has a slightly longer wheelbase. On the other hand, Nissan is wider than Toyota.
Inside, all Kicks variants come equipped with standard electrical features, including keyless entry and push-button engine start/stop. Cruise control is also available across the range, along with single-zone automatic climate control. EL buyers will have to do with a standard 2DIN audio system with USB and auxiliary connections, which produces sound from four speakers. Those who choose the EV and VL will benefit from 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Only the VL can benefit from a better quality sound system with 6 speakers.
Another standard feature in the range is the height-adjustable Nissan Zero Gravity seat. The dashboard trim is synthetic leather with gray stitching, while the center console armrests (and storage box) are upholstered in black leather. Only the VL is upholstered in genuine leather, while the VE and EL have single-stitch fabric seats. Leather-wrapped steering wheel for the VL and VE, but only urethane in the EL – all with tilt and telescopic adjustment.
Other cabin parts are quite similar, including the 7-inch TFT display instrument cluster and electronic parking brake with automatic brake hold function. There are also multiple USB charging ports, while only the VL comes with chrome interior door handles. There is a cargo space of 470 liters, which can be expanded to 835 liters by folding the rear seats down with a 60:40 split.
Base EL does not come with Nissan’s exclusive Intelligent Mobility Features i.e. Intelligent Ambient View Monitor (IAVM), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW), Intelligent Emergency Braking ( IEB) and driver attention warning “DAA”. 41; Step up to the EV and LCV and you’ll get this suite of safety features, with the top LV benefiting from the Moving Object Detection feature introduced on the Nissan Navara. However, the EL comes with Hill Start Assist, which is standard across the range.
The range also includes standard driver and front passenger airbags, five 3-point seat belts (height-adjustable for front occupants), ABS with EBD, Dynamic Control vehicle (VDC), a third overhead LED brake light, an alarm, and an engine immobilizer. The VL and VE get the additional side and curtain airbags, as well as rear parking sensors.
The oil elements on the datasheet are standard across the range, meaning each variant benefits from the same platforms, except for the e-POWER technology. The AC synchronous motor (EM47) makes a total of 99hp and 280Nm of torque, while the lithium-ion battery pack has a capacity of 2.13kWh.
Meanwhile, the internal combustion engine generator, which is a 1.2 liter DOHC HR12DE three-cylinder, consumes regular 91 octane fuel with a tank capacity of 41 liters.
Other basic elements that are consistent throughout the lineup are the strut front suspension and torsion beam rear with stabilizer. Disc brakes on all four wheels, with vent type at the front. Meanwhile, the wheels are 17-inch alloys wrapped in 205/55 tires. No spare wheel included; The car comes with a tire repair kit for replacement.
NPI will officially launch the Nissan Kicks e-POWER 2023 on August 12, 2022. Even after the introductory price, the Kicks e-POWER will most likely remain the most affordable hybrid car in the country for a while.
