The all-new Nissan Kicks features a striking design when it debuted back in 2024. It comes with a modern and sharper demeanor than the current Kicks available in the Philippines. While having a distinctive design is good, it seems that Nissan has forgotten to equip the all-new model with its e-Power technology.
When the new Kicks was introduced in the United States, Nissan opted to offer it with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine that produces 141 horsepower and 190 Nm of torque, mated to the brand’s Xtronic automatic transmission. It doesn’t come with the e-Power technology that’s commonly associated with the Kicks nameplate, especially for the Philippine market.
The e-Power technology was one of the selling points of the Kicks when Nissan Philippines first introduced it in the local market in 2022. The Nissan e-Power is built around the 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine that charges a lithium-ion battery, which powers the Kicks’ electric motor that puts out 134 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque.
As such, when the new Nissan Kicks was introduced in the U.S., some individuals were wondering why it was only offered with a 141-hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine. But reports coming from Japan state that the new Nissan Kicks will be launched with e-Power in Japan, according to automotive publication Best Car Web.
The report goes on by stating that the upcoming new Kicks for the Japanese market will come with the third-generation e-Power, which features Nissan’s latest configuration for the said powertrain. The third-generation e-Power is currently equipped in the Nissan Qashqai in Europe and recently in the Elgrand minivan in Japan.
The third-generation e-Power comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine along with a modular 5-in-1 electric powertrain, which Nissan claims delivers “refined performance, quieter operation, and improved fuel efficiency.”
The all-new Nissan Kicks with e-Power could debut in Japan sometime this year, either in November or December, according to reports. With this, could the new Kicks e-Power find its way in the Philippine market? Well, the possibilities are likely high, but it’s too early to conclude as of this writing. However, you need to take note that Nissan Philippines announced that it plans to launch several new models in the market this year.
Autocar’s Take
The all-new Nissan Kicks comes with a modern-looking design that features a sharper and more assertive demeanor than the outgoing model. However, its launch without e-Power technology in the United States raised some questions, especially in markets where the Kicks nameplate is associated with the said tech. For context, e-Power is one of the main reasons why car buyers in the Philippines purchased a Nissan Kicks when it was introduced in the local market.
Will it be coming to the Philippines? As mentioned earlier, it could be a possibility to see the all-new Nissan Kicks in the local market. Afterall, Nissan Philippines needs to have a new model under its belt to be able to stay competitive in the ever-growing local market.
