Nissan Kicks compact SUV gets a base XE diesel trim: Becomes Rs. 66,000 cheaper

Nissan India has just introduced a lower, XE diesel variant of the Kicks compact SUV. It’s priced at Rs. 9.89 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, making it Rs. 66,000 cheaper than the next trim: XL. The lower trim of the Kicks makes it cheaper than the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Renault Captur, and Nissan India will be hoping that the new trim makes the SUV a better seller than before. While the Kicks XE is cheaper than the XL trim, it does not lose out on too many features. In fact, the compact SUV is decently spec-ed even in XE trim, and this should make it quite attractive to buyers looking to buy a SUV that rides very well but is more affordable than the immediate competition.

Talking of the features offered on the entry-level trim of the Kicks, it gets twin airbags, ABS, automatic climate control, a 2DIN stereo with 4 speakers, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, cooled glovebox, Shark Fin Antenna, Central Door Lock with Child Lock, Speed sensing auto door lock & Impact sensing auto door unlock and Rear Parking Sensors. Under the hood, things are unchanged. The tried and tested 1.5 liter-4 cylinder K9K turbocharged diesel engine powers the Kicks, and this motor makes 108 Bhp-240 Nm. A six speed manual gearbox powers the front wheels of the SUV. The Kicks is also offered with a 1.5 liter H4K petrol engine. The four cylinder petrol engine makes 104 Bhp-145 Nm, and gets a 5 speed manual gearbox.

While the Renault Duster, with which the Kicks shares its engines with, offers a CVT petrol and AMT Diesel automatic options, Nissan has chosen not to offer automatic gearboxes on the Kicks. The lack of automatic variants will hurt the Kicks as the segment leading Hyundai Creta offers automatic gearboxes on both petrol and diesel trims. Nissan sells two other cars in the Indian market – the Micra hatchback and the Sunny C-Segment sedan. The automaker also operates the Datsun brand, through which it sells three hatchbacks – the RediGO, Go and Go+. The automaker recently discontinued the Terrano SUV, and introduced the Kicks as its replacement.

Speaking at the launch, Sriram Padmanabhan, Vice President – Marketing, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. said,

The new Nissan KICKS has generated positive response from SUV enthusiasts from across the country. Responding to the immense interest in an entry-level diesel variant, we have introduced the new XE Diesel trim. The feature rich new XE Diesel Trim offers a great value proposition to the consumers while ensuring best-in-class services and quality assurance.