The new offering from Nissan stable is an attractive package of good looks and sturdy stability on the road. Nissan Kicks impresses you as you sense the power its engine delivers and enjoy the cabin space it offers. Kicks, in most other countries around the world, is based on the same platform as Nissan’s Micra, but in India it has the Duster’s size, and is based on the version of the platform which is also used in Renault Captur.
The Kicks has an SUV size with its roomy and tall cabin, a plain bonnet and good ground clearance, all of which give it a solid SUV like appearance. The design and final detailing has been done in India and its impressive, the signature V-shaped grille, gives a bold look for the front exterior while the boomerang-shaped tail-lamps and 17-inch alloys add to the boldness. And so do the blacked-out pillars, which along with the two-tone orange and silver paint scheme are a unique combination. In terms of size, it is also 55mm longer and 32mm taller than the Captur.
We drove the diesel version on city roads and highway and it gave a feeling of a sturdy SUV which you can take on long rides. The steering however seems heavy and could be made a little lighter. The engine delivers amazing power for overtakes and even when climbing.
Nissan has done a lot to make the interiors look sleek. The brown leather cladding on the dash gets your attention, the door pads are nicely finished, there are silver accents and you even get quilting on the leather seats that lend a premium touch.
The 8.0-inch floating touchscreen seems the smoothest among this segment of cars, it is slick and high quality. Also attractive are the ‘butterfly-type’ meters that flank the digital speedometer and then there’s the steering that’s nicely built too. The dummy buttons on the steering wheel, however, are quite an eyesore and the fuel gauge looks unusually large as well. One very odd thing however is the position of the seatbelt lock slot. It really is placed under the armrest for the driver and most of the times you struggle to get the seatbelt locked into the slot.
The high seating position gives good road visibility. All seats are spacious and accommodating and there’s more lateral support on these very comfy cross-stitched leather seats. While there’s good scope of seat adjustment available, you may not need to change it too often.
Getting into the rear is quite easy thanks to doors that open wide. There’s a reasonable amount of space in the back, and while the dark interiors make it look smaller than it is, there’s plenty of headroom and adequate kneeroom. Another addition is the dual-operable parcel shelf that can be opened from inside to access the large 400-litre boot.
The Kicks does many things right. It is robust and it portrays a sense of toughness, it rides and handles well, the diesel engine has more than enough grunt and the interior is both well-built and generously equipped.
Prices for the Kicks diesel start at Rs 10.85 lakh. The fully-loaded XV Premium + has been priced at Rs 14.65 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
