2020 Nissan Kicks To Debut In Thailand This Month

• Spy shots of the Nissan Kicks show modern cues like LED headlamps.
• It is expected to be powered by a hybrid powertrain in other countries.
• The India-spec Kicks is based on a different platform but could be replaced by the 2020 model later this year.
• The hybrid powertrain is likely to drive up the Kicks’ prices.

Nissan Motor Company is developing a new Kicks compact SUV which will make its global debut in Thailand in March 2020. Heavily camouflaged test mules show LED headlamps, a distinct front end and a familiar rear fascia. It is expected to be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine paired with a 1.5kWh battery-based hybrid system. The full hybrid system could make it pricier than the current generation SUV. But irrespective of the powertrain, could the 2020 Kicks come to India? 

Nissan’s announcement earlier this year that it would introduce a subcompact SUV for our market shows the carmaker’s renewed interest in the country. At that point, we had thought that it would slot below the Kicks SUV in Nissan’s India lineup. But it is possible that Nissan was hinting at the Kicks’ successor, which could be heavily localised for India. 

The global-spec Kicks SUV is based on Nissan’s P15 chassis. When Nissan brought the SUV to India, it modified the Kicks to be longer to fit the already localised Dacia-derived Nissan P16 platform. Thus, the India-spec Kicks shares little sheet metal and few components with the global-spec car. It is possible that the next generation SUV will follow the same cue. 

Spy shots of the Nissan Kicks showcase LED headlamps and a redesigned front fascia. Although the test mules wore heavy camouflage, it is possible to see familiar design cues at the rear. At this point, it is hard to tell if the car in Nissan’s image is the same as the test mules, or if the car in the image is a mere representation of the upcoming car whose design is yet to be released.

Although sales figures have been below par at best and dismal at their worst, the Kicks is Nissan’s best-selling model in India. It is plagued by fierce competition from sub-4m SUVs which often offer more equipment at lower prices. Sub-4m excise benefits do not apply to the Kicks or the Renault Duster and Captur owing to their size and engine displacement. 

The HR12DE being speculated for the global-spec 2020 Nissan Kicks is expected to make 129PS of power in conjunction with its hybrid system. By itself, it is capable of 77PS when naturally aspirated and up to 159PS with forced induction. The India-spec Nissan Kicks is expected to retain its 1.5-litre petrol engine with BS6 updates. Going by Renault’s move to axe diesel variants of the Duster and Captur, Nissan is unlikely to offer a diesel powertrain in the Kicks. 

The global-spec model that’s set to be unveiled this month could hit the market by mid-2020. Its large battery and hybrid powertrain is likely to make it pricier than the current-generation Kicks. In India, we expect Nissan’s plans to come to fruition in late 2020. Here’s hoping that the facelift and added features will help Nissan put on a fresh face for its rivals - the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, and the Tata Harrier.  

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