2020 Nissan Kicks E-Power Review : Kicks Ass or Ass-Kicked? - CarBuyer.com.sg Singapore

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The Nissan Kicks is an all-new model in Singapore, and not only is it an SUV, it also debuts with Nissan's E-Power hybrid system at a mainstream price level. But is it any good - does it kick ass or just chew bubblegum? We find out in our test drive on the road in Singapore.
00:00 - Start
00:06 Introduction
00:20 What the frick is a Kicks?
00:40 What is E-Power?
01:30 Appearance and design
02:47 Rear passenger space
03:15 Boot space
03:45 Cockpit : Display screens
05:53 Infotainment system and other features
07:32 Premium Plus variant and active safety
08:06 Which model to get?
08:34 Driving experience - low speed, normal driving, refinement
11:00 Driving experience - sporty
13:51 Fuel efficiency
14:39 Interior build quality
15:39 Is the Kicks value for money?
Read the full review on CarBuyer.com.sg: bit.ly/nissankicksreviewsg
As tested: 2020 Nissan Kicks E-Power Premium Plus from Tan Chong Motor Sales Singapore, S$108,888 with COE (end July 2020), in Sunrise Orange with Super Black roof.
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Presenting, production, videography, editing, music by Derryn WongOpening and closing animations by Faiz Yusri

[@lovesilva6882]

Hi can we change the dash language from Japanese to English?

[@Scubetheman]

2 years ago it was just launched last Aug 2022 in the Philippines

[@Nahduge]

I know they are two different cars, but assuming its just for you and your partner, would you choose this or the corolla altis, seeing that they are roughly the same price?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

I think it really depends on body style - 'Do you like SUVs or sedans?' is the important question. More objectively, the Kicks would feel more spacious in terms of headroom, have an easier-loading boot, but the Corolla will have more legroom, be more refined, and nicer to drive.

[@benjaminlim9211]

Hi, how would you compare the ride comfort between Nissan Kicks to the Honda Vezel?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

We haven't tested the grey import Vezel, but the HR-V and Kicks ride in a very similar fashion, not too bad on big bumps, but somehow you feel all the small bumps a lot of the time. Nothing outrageously bad though...

[@sidneydasilva98]

Hi thanks for the video... I’m watching from Brazil! Can’t wait for this car come over here :-).... big issue for me is: I hate automatic car, so it’s possible to make a video for the manual version?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Hi Sidney, thanks for the comment! Unfortunately because of the high cost of cars in Singapore pretty much 99 percent of new cars sold here are automatics, so there's little chance we'll be able to test the non E-Power / manual versions.

[@contactkelvinsim]

sport mode? I thought S is for Smart mode

[@duongnhdn]

Rumors are this car is coming to Vietnam this year, I'm seriously considering buying this as my first ever car for my family of 3. My only concern is second row leg space. My mom is 148cm tall, do you think the second row is spacious enough for her to be comfortable?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Sure! We think as long as you're less than 1.8 it should be fine.

[@nathanthuita]

Does this car have the jatco cvt transmision that many people keep compaining about?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

No it has a reduction gear not a full gearbox

[@suivzmoi]

does the two-tone interior match the exterior? so a red-black exterior will have a red-black interior?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

If we remember right, this orange interior is unique to the higher-spec Premium Plus model we drove and there is an alternative black-only upholstery choice.

[@marcwang4830]

Lovely neutral review thank u ! For $103-$105k range today, you can buy the torquey kicks e power, the efficient Yaris Cross or the high quality but dated XV. Kicks is quite nice to drive, better drive train in my mind then the Yaris, but both have quite cheapo interiors. The XV is immediately better inside and out, but almost 5yrs old now and its far less efficient. Plus you dont get the novelty of an electric drive. If its your money, and you drive say 300km a week and its just the two of you mostly, which will you go for ?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Thanks for the useful comment Marc. For us, the Yaris Cross gets the vote - it's bit more efficient than the Kicks, perhaps feels less spacious, but is nicer to drive overall, and a feels a little better in build quality. I think the XV is at a disadvantage with the 2.0-litre engine and it simply can't match the fuel consumption of the two hybrids.

[@marcwang4830]

@@CarBuyerComSg in the end, we chose the Kicks although I have to say the decision was a tough one. Agree, Yaris interior is likely build better. However, driving both back to back, the kicks was far more enjoyable to drive. The yaris engine kicks in far too often, and when it does it sounds like a random sneeze. I also notice the electric motor in the Yaris had an audible whine at carpark speeds. And halogen lamps at this price point is abit hard to accept. But that Yaris had an exceptional ride quality for a car this size. FC does become less impactful the higher up you go, between 18 and 25km/l probably just $20-$30 a month. Hope we made the right choice !

[@juehuadai3903]

Do you feel the left leg room slightly small in driver seat?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Hmm can't say it stood out to us in testing, but we may have missed it of course

[@juehuadai3903]

Do you feel the accelerator pedal vibrate sometimes?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Yes occasionally that happens

[@gyeong23]

Hi, between kia Niro hybrid and Nissan kicks, which would you recommend?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

They're about equal in fuel efficiency. In terms of space and cabin quality, the Kia wins, though it's not particularly exciting to drive. The Kicks is quite fun to drive, in contrast.

[@gyeong23]

@@CarBuyerComSg thank you! Tried both and went with the niro in the end, mainly due to Kia's reputation for reliability and like you said, much nicer interior and spacious cabin.

[@juehuadai3903]

what camera you use?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

This was mostly shot with a DJI Osmo Pocket

[@dannypabilonia8250]

additional maintenance for lithium battery, the question is how long the battery should last, in exchange for just 5km to 7km na tipid per liter .compare to conventional engine power vehicle, ang trabaho lang 1.2 engine is to charge the battery? pag nasira ang battery pwede kaya ang 1.2 engine mismo ang magpatakbo?

[@kristofferaribal7514]

The ICE is just a generator. It's not connected to the wheels. It's connected to a battery.

[@samueladitya1729]

is it single gear transmission?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Yes it has a single-speed reduction transmission

[@senchaichow2193]

Review on RAV4

[@CarBuyerComSg]

There isn't a new RAV4 on the way yet, but we can point you to our written review of the current model: www.carbuyer.com.sg/test-drives/toyota-rav4-2019-review-singapore-price-new/

The biggest concern when it comes to Vietnam is the space of second row seats. Look so narow for me! Hope it's economy fuel

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Vietnamese buyers prioritise second row space too eh

[@ATWH07]

How would u compare the kicks with kia seltos?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

They're quite different, although both are of a similar price and size. The Seltos is for people who value space, while the Kicks is for those who want a unique spin on the hybrid experience. I think if you have grown kids, the Seltos would be a better fit, the Kick's rear passenger room is a little less.

[@TomyumSisig]

*_I love One Pedal Technology_*

[@CarBuyerComSg]

It's less tiring, for sure!

[@MrTPYap]

S is not sports mode. The D mode drives very willingly while S and ECo retards the throttle. If you want lively drive, go for the normal D mode.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

S certainly adds more to the throttle, but we understand what you mean - the Kicks drives like an lively EV no matter which mode you're in.

[@user-uh8je2jx7g]

No the 360 view camera?

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Not for Singapore's car no

[@raisoilang2258]

In Indonesia, they has with good resolution pict

[@Martinko_Pcik]

7l/100km at 120kmph? My guess

[@henrylau116]

Please do a review of MG HS.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Thanks for your comment Henry, we will try to squeeze in time for that! in the meantime you can read our written review here: www.carbuyer.com.sg/test-drives/mg-hs-review-singapore-price/

[@patrickseah8278]

I been driving the car for past few days. 1 annoying thing is that the engine keeps kicking in even when the battery is above half and my speed is only 50km/h to 60 km/h The engine idling is really noisy. Especially when the battery is charging during minor road driving. It just keeps switching between high and low idling.

[@CarBuyerComSg]

Hey Patrick, thanks for the feedback. Yes, when we drove it the engine will kick in occasionally in line with what you described. We guess the engineers did that to enable a constant battery level. As we know, for batteries to be healthy they should always be above 30 percent and not fully charged to 100 percent either.

[@patrickseah8278]

@@CarBuyerComSg i managed above 20km/l for the past 1900+ km. Fuel consumption is definitely good. But u have to be a little lighter foot to achieve that.

[@kingthranduil8807]

Hi Patrick! Does the 1.2 engine also rev when you step on the pedal? Or is it just like it's idling?

[@patrickseah8278]

@@kingthranduil8807 , engine only idle when its temperature is too low, 99% of the time engine rev, similar to overdrive. In fact, engine do activate most of the time above the speed of 40km/h

[@kingthranduil8807]

@@patrickseah8278 thanks. So that explains the 20km/L+ fuel consumption.

[@sigitpermadi6037]

E power : fast Hybrid : slow E power : less fuel consumption ICE : more fuel consumption E power : dont need charging station EV : need charging station

[@BeresVonSaladir]

So E-Power is the best of all worlds.

[@sigitpermadi6037]

@@BeresVonSaladir e power is solution to region that doesnt have much charging station.. but still want to feel an ev driving experience

[@sigitpermadi6037]

@@BeresVonSaladir there is no perfect car..

[@thebenevolent8405]

0:08

[@sigitpermadi6037]

Petrol maf pr3fer this car than ev car

[@CarBuyerComSg]

It's sort of a nice balance between the two

[@joshoaaquinoterrado105]

Vic.....

[@johnbrotata391]

Too much components inside