The 2026 Nissan Kicks has officially gone on sale in Japan, featuring the brand’s third‑generation e‑Power system and the option of the e‑4ORCE all‑wheel‑drive setup.
For context, the Japanese‑market Kicks is the second‑generation model, which closely resembles the version sold in the United States.
This makes it entirely different from the first‑generation Kicks available in Malaysia, including the first facelift and the second facelift recently introduced in Thailand.
In Japan, the Nissan Kicks e‑Power is priced from 2,999,700 yen (RM76,774) for the 2WD version, going up to 4,248,200 yen (RM108,728) for the range‑topping e‑4ORCE variant.
e‑Power & e‑4ORCE system
In Japan, the Nissan Kicks is offered exclusively with the e‑Power powertrain, which integrates five key components:
- electric motors
- generators unit
- inverters
- reducers
- speed-up drivers
The FWD variant uses a 141 hp electric motor, while the e‑4ORCE version adds a second electric motor on the rear axle producing 67 hp.
A 1.4‑litre HR14DDe engine (97 hp/123 Nm) functions solely as a generator to supply power to the electric motors and recharge the battery.
Nissan claims this new setup is 10 percent more energy‑efficient than the previous system.
Exterior & Interior Equipment
As mentioned earlier, the Japanese‑market Kicks adopts a different design from the one we’re familiar with. It takes after the U.S. model, featuring a wider grille and overlapping daytime running lights (DRL).
At the rear, the SUV sports L‑shaped taillight housings with a layered graphic similar to the DRL signature.
Inside, the cabin is equipped with dual 12.3‑inch displays, a dedicated climate control panel, PRND buttons on the centre console, Zero Gravity seats, and a choice of synthetic leather or fabric upholstery.
Safety features under the ProPILOT suite include:
- Intelligent Around View Monitor
- Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB)
- Intelligent Backward Collision Prevention Support System (IBSI)
- Backward Vehicle Detection Warning (BSW)
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Nissan Kicks Rock Creek
This is the more rugged Kicks variant developed by Nissan Motorsports & Customize (NMC).
It features a distinctive exterior package that includes silver grille accents, black front bumper trim, Lava Red highlights, an aluminium skid plate, and five‑spoke alloy wheels.
The cabin receives water‑resistant upholstery and Lava Red contrast stitching.
