Can Nissan Kicks e-Power help Tan Chong get back on its feet? – First impression
The official distributor of Nissan in Malaysia, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), has been rather quiet in recent years.
The last all-new model launched by the company was the second-generation Almera, which made its debut somewhere late 2020. Since then, it appears as though Nissan has vanished from the radar.
But ETCM appears to be far from defeated; having been the custodian of the Nissan brand in Malaysia for over 60 years, the company is determined to maintain its presence in the market.
The first step in ETCM’s revival strategy is the introduction of the long-awaited B-segment crossover, the Nissan Kicks e-Power.
The Kicks e-Power for the Malaysian market will be fully imported (CBU) from Thailand, which means we will be getting the facelifted version of the first-generation model that was originally launched in The Land of the Smiles four years ago.
While this car may not be the freshest offering on the market, it does present something new for the Nissan brand in Malaysia: the e-Power powertrain.
What’s even more exciting is that this facelifted model features the second-generation e-Power system, which is lighter and more powerful.
But before delving deeper into the e-Power, you might be wondering how big is the Kicks? It measures 4,290 mm in length, 1,760 mm in width, and stands 1,605 mm tall, making it nearly 100 mm shorter than the Honda HR-V.
In terms of design, some say it resembles a mini version of the Nissan X-Trail. Whatever the case is, this writer can’t help but feel that the Kicks appears somewhat ‘aged’ despite yet to hit the market.
Don’t get me wrong; its appearance is certainly appealing, yet it lacks the ‘X’ factor that would make it stand out in a showroom.
As you might already know, beauty, design, and aesthetics are subjective— not everyone desires a flashy car; some prefer a more understated and casual look, which is exactly what the Kicks offers.
The interior of the Kicks is tidy and simple, but much like its exterior, it is starting to show signs of age.
The layout is approximately 95% identical to that of the Almera’s cabin but Kicks comes with a more sophisticated gear knob that feels somewhat awkward to use due to its shape.
The level of standard equipment is decent. The Kicks is fitted with Zero Gravity seats, an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch TFT display, three USB ports, and manual adjustments for the driver and front passenger seats.
The top-of-the-range VLT variant adds a premium touch with two-tone leather upholstery adorning the seats and dashboard.
Nevertheless, there are elements that make the Kicks appear and feel somewhat inexpensive, one of which is the hard plastic trim on the door panels. Additionally, the air-conditioning control switches look like it came out 10 years ago and could benefit from a redesign.
Although the wheelbase is 5 mm longer than that of the HR-V, the rear passenger space in the Kicks feels a touch cramped, exacerbated by the somewhat upright seating position.
However, the boot space is fairly generous, offering a capacity of 423 litres. According to Nissan, it can accommodate two standard-sized golf bags, a large suitcase, and a medium-sized luggage. Sounds perfect for a weekend of golf.
The Kicks may have arrived fashionably late to the market, but as this writer has mentioned, it does bring something intriguing to the table: the e-Power powertrain.
So, what exactly is e-Power?
Nissan insists on not labelling it a hybrid, although the system integrates an internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric motor, and a battery. Thus, technically, it is a hybrid.
However, unlike conventional hybrid systems, the ICE in the e-Power setup does not drive the wheels. Its sole purpose is to charge the 2.1 kWh lithium-ion battery located in the middle of the frame. The wheels are powered entirely by the electric motor fed by this battery.
In essence, the wheels are propelled 100% by the electric motor, offering a driving feel akin to that of an electric vehicle, but with the added benefit that you need not worry about charging, ever.
How does it perform in the real world?
As soon as the accelerator pedal is depressed, the car pulls almost instantly and this is done without the roar of an ICE engine familiar in traditional vehicles.
Similar to a real EV, the powertrain delivers responsive acceleration and instant torque, allowing this writer to overtake other vehicles with ease, even when space was limited.
Yet, let’s not set our expectations too high, as the Kicks e-Power’s acceleration won’t melt your face like some high-performance EVs do. It delivers a modest 129 PS and 280 Nm—not particularly impressive, but still adequate to meet the needs of consumers in this segment.
The Kicks e-Power features three driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport. In this writer’s experience, the Normal mode is perfectly suitable for everyday driving, while the Sport mode can provide that extra power when needed.
Another advantage of the e-Power system is its single pedal driving capability known as e-Pedal Step. This feature is activated only in Eco and Sport modes, where the regenerative braking force is heightened, allowing the driver to slow down without depressing the brake pedal.
Moreover, with stronger regenerative braking, the battery charges more quickly. With a full battery, the EV mode can be activated, enabling the vehicle to travel up to 2.5 km on electric power at a speed of 40 km/h, with the engine completely turned off.
In addition to its addicting eagerness, the Kicks is a joy to driver, particularly on winding roads. Whatever magic the Nissan engineers have conjured for the suspension tuning, the crossover proves incredibly adept when tackling sharp bends.
Sound, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels are also highly commendable. At higher speeds, wind and tyre noise are effectively suppressed. However, during aggressive acceleration, one may occasionally hear the engine working hard to recharge the battery.
Conclusion
Whether this model will help ETCM back on its feet is still uncertain, but in the Kicks, the company has a solid product, albeit one that is a touch aged.
This writer believes that by hyping up the strengths of e-Power and having an effective pricing strategy, ETCM may well find an opportunity to win back the hearts of consumers in this country.
