The Nissan Kicks is a B-segment crossover measuring 4,365 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,615 mm tall on a 2,655 mm wheelbase, with 170 mm of ground clearance. The current car is the second generation, sold in the US, the Middle East, Brazil and, since June 2026, Japan. Each market gets a different powertrain, and the Japanese car is the one that runs e-Power.
That system is now in its third generation and is built as a 5-in-1 unit, packaging the motor, generator, inverter, reducer and increaser into a single module that is more compact and lighter than the previous arrangement. The petrol side is a 1.4-litre direct-injection three-cylinder, the HR14DDe, producing 98 PS and 115 Nm at 6,000 rpm purely to spin the generator. It has no mechanical path to the wheels. Drive comes from a 143 PS, 315 Nm electric motor on the front axle, and e-4ORCE versions add a 68 PS, 140 Nm motor at the rear. Fuel economy on the WLTC cycle runs from 23.4 to 25.7 km/L for front-drive cars and 20.1 to 21.5 km/L with e-4ORCE.
Because the wheels are only ever turned by electric motors, the Kicks drives like a battery-electric car, with instant torque and one-pedal-style deceleration, while refuelling at a normal petrol station. Inside, top versions run a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google services built in, and a ten-speaker Bose Personal Plus audio system. Lower trims drop to 7-inch displays. Nissan’s ProPilot driver assistance is standard across the range.
Externally the car uses a grille of vertical slats flanked by split LED headlights, with black wheel-arch cladding, roof rails and a tailgate spoiler, on 17- or 19-inch wheels. Japanese prices run from 2,999,700 yen, about $18,600, for front-wheel drive, 3,349,500 yen, about $20,800, for e-4ORCE, up to 4,248,200 yen, about $26,350, for the range-topping version.
