Nissan PH Could Replace the Aging Juke with the 2020 Kicks e-Power

The refreshed 2020 Nissan Kicks has been globally launched in Thailand. Together with the sharper look, the sub-compact SUV also brings with it a new engine: e-Power, Nissan’s extended range EV drive. With that, it brings all the advantages of fully-electric drive with no range anxiety. It also has a much more affordable price tag than the Nissan Leaf to boot.

The 2020 Kicks takes on a completely re-designed face using Nissan’s new “Emotional Geometry” design language. It gains a larger V-motion grille, swept-back boomerang headlights, and front fog lamps that have been pushed to the corners. These complement the Kick’s signature floating roof and “wrap-around visor” that visually connects the windshield to the side glass. Exterior features include standard LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, and LED rear combination lights.

The refreshed Kicks also gains a heavily revised interior with a new instrument panel, infotainment screen, steering wheel, and seats. The “Gliding Wing” design is dominated by a 7-inch full-color infotainment system powered by Nissan Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A two-tone black and orange interior color motif is also available on the highest trim model.

Even more impressive is what’s found under the hood. Nissan’s e-Power technology features an EM57 electric motor, generator, and inverter that generates electricity from its 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine. Overall, the Kicks e-Power has 129 horsepower and 260 Nm of torque from near zero rpm—giving it a driving experience similar to a full-fledged EV.

Unlike the Leaf though, when extra acceleration is required or when climbing a steep hill, the electric motor receives power from both the battery and the engine to enhance its performance. During deceleration, the engine stops running and regenerative power is used to charge the battery until the vehicle comes to a complete stop, wasting no energy generated from deceleration.

The Kicks e-Power also introduces a one-pedal mode that allows drivers to launch, accelerate, decelerate, or stop the vehicle by using only the accelerator pedal. By using only one pedal, tasks such as judging the distance between cars, decelerating, and stopping when going downhill or stopping for traffic lights are drastically simplified.

The Kicks e-POWER also features four driving modes: Normal, S, Eco and EV. In Normal, the car produces excellent acceleration off the line and stopping power (lifting off the acceleration pedal) that is on par with the braking of its conventional gasoline-powered counterparts. In S, the car accelerates even quicker with enhanced stopping power. In Eco, the car goes into gasoline-saving mode by regulating the battery power. EV mode uses stored battery electric power only, allowing a quiet drive experience without the petrol engine operating.

The adoption of e-Power aside, the 2020 Kicks also brings Nissan Intelligent Mobility features to the sub-compact SUV class. Aside from the usual safety features, it also has Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Intelligent Rear View Mirror.

In Thailand, the Nissan Kicks e-Power starts at 889,000 Baht (P 1.40 million~) and tops out at 1.049 million Baht (P 1.659 million~).

Nissan Philippines has remained mum whether or not they are bringing the all-new Kicks into the country. However, it’s been said previously that Thailand will become the assembly hub for the Kicks for the ASEAN market. If Nissan Philippines does bring the Kicks in, expect it to replace the aging Juke.

Forget the Nissan Leaf, the Kicks e-Power is What We Should be Excited About

Currently, Nissan is shifting its EV education campaign into high gear likely because of the impending launch of its first all-electric vehicle locally, the Leaf. Now, while that’s all good, my eyes are fixed squarely on what I think offers the best solution for our local road conditions: the Nissan Kicks e-Power.

If the Nissan Kicks sounds familiar, it should be. It’s the less funky, but more practical replacement to the sub-compact Juke. And given it’s been out globally since 2016, it’s also been a long time coming.

Well, patience is certainly a virtue. It’s been confirmed that Thailand will serve as the production hub for the Kicks for Southeast Asia, and get this: it’s launching there this March.

Now, it’s hard to imagine what gets me excited over a three-year old crossover, until the possibility of it being equipped with Nissan’s e-Power system.

I’ve tackled how the Nissan e-Power works before, but in gist:

The Nissan e-Power system differs from traditional hybrids or purely electric vehicles in that the system uses the gasoline engine solely as a power generator. This is then connected to an inverter, a battery, and an electric motor which drives the wheels.

Basically, it’s an EV without any plugging requirements or range anxiety. How cool’s that?

Now, Nissan hasn’t revealed much in way of mechanical details for the Kicks e-Power, but the likely candidate is the 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine (HR12DE) found in the Japan market Note e-Power. If that’s the case, expect the same electric motor—a 108 horsepower, 254 Nm of torque unit to make its way into the sub-compact SUV as well. If the Kicks e-Power performs the same as the Note e-Power, expect a fuel economy in the range of 37 km/L.

Along with the introduction of e-Power, Nissan is also giving the Kicks a mid-cycle refresh. This makes it a very opportune time for Nissan to bring it into the country.

As for pricing, because the e-Power system requires a much smaller battery than something in the Leaf (plus it’s sourced in ASEAN—free trade, anyone?), it could very well be positioned as the country’s most affordable “Electric Vehicle.” Sources say that the e-Power system adds about 17 percent to the cost of a similarly-priced version which could mean that the Kicks e-Power could come in at about P 1.2 million—the same price as the current Juke 1.6 with the NISMO body kit.