Nissan unveils the 2026 Kicks e-Power for the first time in Southeast Asia. Now on sale in Thailand, it will arrive in the Philippines by June.
For 2026, the Kicks continues with the same e-Power serial hybrid. This means having a front-driven electric motor (EM47) producing 136 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque driving the wheels. Instead of plugging in, a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder (HR12DE) gasoline generator with 79 horsepower and 103 Nm generates electricity stored in a 2.09 kWh lithium-ion battery.
Still riding on the same platform as the current Kicks, the 2026 model is heavily modified giving it a strong sense of agility and youthful energy. The entire front end is new—hood, bumpers, and fenders. The characteristic V-Motion grille is now more three-dimensional for a confident appearance. Meanwhile, the modernized lighting signature sees the DRLs separated from the main beams. The main beams itself offer enhanced illumination.
At the sides, the Kicks e-Power gets new 17-inch alloy wheels, while at the back, it has a cleaner, uncluttered design with hexagonal-shaped lamps along with new bumpers.
Inside, the refreshed Kicks has been extensively updated. It gets a new full 7-inch digital gauge cluster, while at the center is a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen. It also offers both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The cabin has been elevated by a newly designed front console, center console, door panels, and a leather wrapped steering wheel. The seats themselves offer improved comfort with its Zero Gravity design with anti-heat coating to the synthetic leather seats. There’s also a 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat and a camera-based Intelligent Rearview Mirror. Over to the rear seats, the seatback angle has been increased slightly. Together with the larger headrests and center armrest with dual cupholders, it makes for a more habitable exterior.
The 2026 Nissan Kicks also integrates ProPilot—an intelligent system designed to reduce driving stress on highways. By integrating Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) with Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with Stop and Go, ProPilot helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane while maintaining a preset speed and safe distance from the vehicle ahead. If the car begins to drift out of its lane, it provides a warning and gently steers it back. It can also stop and start more easily, reducing the burden of driving on highways and long-distance trips, as well as minimizing fatigue during the journey. The system operates continuously for as long as the driver keeps their hands on the steering wheel.
It also has a comprehensive suite of ADAS technologies. These include Leading Car Departure Notification (LCDN), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW) that can monitor the movement of two vehicles ahead, Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection (IEB), Blind Spot Warning (BSW) with Blind Spot Intervention (BSI), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) with Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Rear Automatic Emergency Braking (RAEB) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Additional features such as Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Intelligent Around View Monitor (IAVM), Moving Objective Detection (MOD), High Beam Assist (HBA), and Driver Attention Alert (DAA).
The 2026 Kicks e-Power arrives in three grades in Thailand—the V, VL, and SV. New colors such as Electric Cyan join Gray Sky Pearl, Storm White, Radiant Red, Gun Metallic, and Black Star. A two-tone option is available on the VL and SV. Meanwhile, a black and gray interior colorway is standard, with the SV getting the optional Moonstone.
If anyone here plans on getting this, please, for the love of all things holy, debadge the rear ASAP! Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteYou can also remove just the S and put ME after.
DeleteA new Kicks is already out in the US. Most launches these recent years has seen cars rolled out globally. Nissan is bucking the trend in our region by further milking the current generation till who knows when. IMHO, it doesn’t help their recovery given that the current Kicks is behind on refinement and efficiency compared to newer players.
ReplyDeleteNissan isn't doing anything different. Do you know how long we've had on sale the older generations of cars from other car manufacturers?
DeleteI'm not defending them but I'm just pointing out that Japanese brands have been milking older gens for a while and you even get fan boys hating on people who point that out 😅
Wait till the upcoming Navara launches.. it will just be another facelift of the current gen model. Atleast the Dongfeng-based Frontier Pro is coming to spice things up.
DeleteFinding it interesting that while this updated Kicks is practically Brazil's Kait outside, it has a dashboard that's more similar to but not exactly the same as Mexico's updated Almera. I'd think that Nissan would avoid unnecessary spending for different parts in similar vehicles considering their financial troubles.
ReplyDeleteGlad that we're finally getting ProPILOT but a bit bummed that it's not the hands-free version in the US.
ReplyDeleteThis is stretching the ROI to the max. One classic way is extending the platform used while market will still patronize it. This isn't unique to Nissan. Toyota did it with the Vios. Ativ was already in the market 2 years or so before they switch the TOTL Vios with Ativ. Same with Innova and the Zenix. Another is giving the old generation with a new life (or car) like this case - Kicks to Kait. Same for Rio/Accent to Soluto/Reina. Civic to City. The new gen Kicks (of N. America) can still come in later. Nissan does introduce their new products late into the market.
ReplyDeleteAs the demand wanes, new Gen will kick(pun intended) in by 2028 as next gen replacing Kait or what know as gen 1.5 (facelift). This will again stretch the life of Kicks new gen after other markets switch to gen 2.5.
Deletethis is a welcome development for those who wants to kick in to EVs
ReplyDeleteNapakatagal dumating
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ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have an idea what would be the pricing here in ph?
About 1.5m pricing is not competitive since at the price point plenty of better HEV's with a SPARE TIRE! They should position at a more affordable range with less contenders.
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