Nissan Kicks compact SUV bookings open: Launch in January 2019

Nissan Kicks would be the next big launch from the Japanese manufacturer in the Indian market. The Kicks is a highly-awaited SUV and the price would be announced in early January 2019. Nissan has started taking the bookings officially at a payment of Rs. 25,000. The dealerships across India have started taking the official bookings and customers who do want to book the vehicle online can do it at the official Nissan website.

The Indian version of the Kicks is quite different from the one available in the international markets. it is bigger than the version available in the  European markets and gets a different platform too. The Kicks looks quite modern and it would replace the already discontinued Nissan Terrano from the line-up. The SUV gets the signature V-shape Nissan grille that is in sync with the Nissan’s new family design. The Kicks also get projector headlamps.

Commenting on the announcement, Hardeep Singh Brar, Director, Sales and Commercial, Nissan Motors India Ltd., said,

The new Nissan KICKS is a testimony to our commitment to bring the best of global products and technology to our customers in India. We are confident that with its progressive SUV design and advanced technology, the KICKS will appeal to new-age urban adventure seekers.

The Kicks also get 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and the blacked out A, B and C-Pillars of the vehicle with the contrasting roof gives it a floating-type roof effect. The upcoming SUV gets dual tone paint finish as standard. However, only the top-end variants are likely to get the dual-tone colours. On the inside, the Nissan Kicks looks quite luxurious. The vehicle gets a leather cladding running across the dashboard and the seats. It gives a premium touch and feel to the vehicle. The vehicle also gets a brown-black interior colour scheme that further makes it look luxurious. The five-seater SUV would one the likes of Hyundai Creta directly.

The Nissan Kicks gets powered by the same engine options as the Renault Captur. In fact, it shares the same platform too. The B-Zero platform that underpins the Captur also forms the base of the Nissan Kicks. It ensures that the vehicle carries a very aggressive price tag when launched due to the lower development cost. The Kicks get a 1.6-litre petrol engine that generates a maximum of 104 Bhp and 140 Nm.

It gets a five-speed manual transmission. The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre K9K unit that generates a maximum of 108 Bhp and 240 Nm. It gets a 6-speed manual transmission. Both petrol and diesel versions do not get an AWD system. Just like the Captur, the Kicks misses out on the automatic transmission too. However, it is quite possible that Nissan adds it at a later time.

At launch, the Kicks will be the only SUV that Nissan sells in India. However, the automaker has big plans for the SUV segment in India. A sub-4 meter offering, a Jeep Compass rival, a Toyota Fortuner challenger and a top-of-the-line, Toyota Land Cruiser rival are some of the SUVs that Nissan is planning for the Indian market.