The Nissan Kicks operates in a really aggressive section which is the compact SUV area. With the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos proudly owning the section, Nissan needed to up its sport with the Kicks, so as to compete with the bigwigs. And it did, form of, by placing the 1.Three-litre turbocharged petrol engine underneath the hood (the identical unit that the Renault Duster will get). This specific engine is probably the most highly effective turbo petrol motor within the section. My colleague Shams drove the Duster 1.Three Turbo and was impressed with the efficiency. So right here I’m, making an attempt to get some ‘Kicks’ out of the identical engine, in a distinct physique.
Additionally Learn: Renault Duster 1.3 Turbo Review
What has modified?
(The 1.Three turbo petrol engine on the Kicks borrows cylinder coating expertise from the Nissan GT-R! And the engine will get a bunch of different updates to make it particular)
The engine underneath the hood is new. Effectively, it’s the identical because the one on the Duster. It displaces 1,330 cc and makes 154 bhp at 5,500 rpm together with peak torque of 254 Nm from a really low 1,600 rpm. Our check automotive had a 7-step CVT gearbox. What’s attention-grabbing is that the 1.Three turbo engine borrows the cylinder coating expertise from the famed Nissan GT-R or the Godzilla, which means there’s a little bit of the GT-R within the Kicks and that is an excellent factor, clearly!
(The engine feels fairly refined and keen. There’s a likeable hum that seeps into the cabin)
Plus, the turbo unit on the engine will get an electrical waste-gate which when coupled with a high-pressure direct gasoline injection system and electrically actuated variable cams; the motor presents you efficiency past your expectation. Plus, the tech from the GT-R and the general updates make for a really refined engine too. There’s a likeable hum you can hear contained in the cabin. It’s undoubtedly not noise. NVH ranges are first rate sufficient
Driving dynamics
(The turbo engine on the Kicks is refined and keen! There’s ample quantity of pulling energy throughout the rev vary)
The efficiency of the 1.Three turbo motor feels fairly refined and keen. There isn’t any dearth of pulling energy even on the backside finish however the engine actually comes into its personal within the mid-range. Even a mild faucet on the throttle responds in instantaneous acceleration and that does really feel good. The facility on faucet interprets into fast overtakes be it in metropolis or the freeway. The 7-step CVT is likely one of the higher CVT models we’ve skilled. It does not really feel insufficient, though the engine is so good that a greater automated gearbox would have labored wonders.
(The 7-step CVT on our check automotive is definitely one of many higher CVT models we’ve examined.)
The SUV does really feel somewhat cumbersome in visitors because of an oddly heavy steering. It does get higher at excessive speeds although. One will really feel some torque steer at excessive speeds however nothing that can make you’re feeling uncomfortable. So far as experience high quality is worried, the Kicks irons out many of the undulations decently, though the setup is on the firmer aspect. You’ll nonetheless really feel the sharp-edged bumps climbing up your backbone. There’s first rate body-roll do you have to want to nook laborious, however total, the Kicks feels planted at excessive speeds. The suspension is powerful sufficient to sort out dangerous roads on a continued foundation.
Exterior Design
(The Kicks doesn’t get any adjustments to the outside styling. The truth is, it does not get any ‘turbo’ badging, which is a miss in our books)
There isn’t any change to the outside styling of the Nissan Kicks. The SUV continues to have a crossover-like silhouette and good proportions. A somewhat odd incontrovertible fact that we discovered was that the Kicks 1.Three Turbo doesn’t have any badging, decals or an indication saying that it will get a turbo charged engine underneath the hood. Speak about being terribly delicate right here. We imply a buyer would love his/her automotive to embrace the truth that it’s certainly a ‘Turbo’. There’s completely no solution to distinguish from the surface whether or not the Kicks is a turbo mannequin or not! Straightaway that could be a miss in our books!
Inside
(The inside of the Kicks feels solidly constructed. Will get padded leather-based on the dashboard too. However appears to be like somewhat spartan)
Effectively, the inside stays the identical too. There isn’t any change within the cabin. It feels solidly constructed, will get a pleasant leather-based padded dashboard, however there are a number of low-cost plastic bits used particularly on the door panels and the gear knob itself feels very low-cost to carry. The ergonomics aren’t that nice both. The gear knob is somewhat low set and it’s a little troublesome to discover a good driving place. However the seats themselves are comfy. The rear passengers have sufficient room too, however miss out on a USB charger. Up entrance, there aren’t any cup holders and the cubby gap is a contact too deep, so in the event you put your cellphone, pockets or different such paraphernalia there, retrieving it might not be as fast and straightforward.
(The Eight-inch touchscreen on the Nissan Kicks is sort of good, presents good suggestions and will get smartphone connectivity too)
The Eight-inch floating touchscreen on the dashboard is capacitive and presents good suggestions. You additionally get smartphone connectivity choices by way of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (point out which variants get it and what’s obtainable within the base). Plus, the Nissan Join app helps you get good bit of related automotive options as effectively. The important thing card will get a particular button for distant engine begin, which is sort of useful in case you need to begin the automotive remotely. If the AC is left on, then it would cool the cabin as effectively.
Security
(The Kicks will get twin airbags, ABS with EBD and rear parking sensors as normal)
The Nissan Kicks will get twin airbags together with anti-lock brakes and digital brake-force distribution as normal. Rear parking sensors are normal too. The turbo fashions get traction management, automobile stability administration, digital stability management and hill begin help as normal. The highest-spec XV Premium (O) trim will get a 360 diploma digicam together with an additional airbag on the motive force aspect.
Pricing and rivals
(The Kicks 1.Three Turbo undercuts the Creta and Seltos turbo fashions considerably)
The Kicks finds itself amongst elite competitors within the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and its personal sibling, the Renault Duster amongst different. The costs of the Nissan Kicks 1.Three turbo begin at ₹ 11.85 lakh, going as much as ₹ 14.15 lakh. The costs of the Creta 1.four Turbo begin at ₹ 16.16 lakh and go as much as ₹ 17.20 lakh. Equally, the costs of the Seltos 1.four Turbo begin at ₹ 15.54 lakh and go as much as ₹ 17.29 lakh. Subsequently, the Kicks 1.Three undercuts the Seltos and the Creta considerably.
(Nissan presents a non-turbo 1.5 petrol engine on the Kicks as effectively. No diesel engine possibility although!)
However, it loses out to its cousin, the Renault Duster 1.Three Turbo when it comes to pricing because the Duster turbo costs begin at ₹ 10.49 lakh and go as much as ₹ 13.59 lakh. All costs talked about are ex-showroom, Delhi. In fact, you additionally get the non turbo 1.5-litre petrol variants, that are considerably extra reasonably priced than the turbo fashions, with simply two variants, XL and XV, whose costs are ₹ 9.49 lakh and ₹ 9.99 lakh respectively. And naturally, just like the Duster, Nissan has finished away with the diesel engine for the Kicks too.
Verdict
(The Nissan Kicks is but to catch as much as its rivals when it comes to options and being a value-for-money automotive)
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The Nissan Kicks 1.Three Turbo presents strong efficiency however loses out on refinement, options and luxury. Having stated that, it’s near ₹ 2 lakh cheaper than the Korean duo of Creta and Seltos, however the worth distinction too is nullified by the sheer recognition of the opposite two. It might be worth for cash, however it’s but to meet up with its rivals in lots of elements. However in the event you do find yourself shopping for one, you should have enjoyable driving the Kicks 1.Three Turbo.
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