Discover the 2025 Nissan Kicks: a sleek, modern sub-compact crossover with all-new design, tech upgrades, and optional AWD. Perfect for UAE roads!
- Redesigned exterior with flashy styling and increased ground clearance.
- Modern interior with dual display screens, advanced tech, and ProPilot package.
- Upgraded mechanicals featuring a more powerful 2.0-litre engine and optional AWD.
A promising sub-compact crossover in the UAE, the Nissan Kicks has not just witnessed a mid-life makeover but a significant overhaul that brings with it, spruced up styling, modern tech, and a first for the nameplate, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configuration as an option.
Exterior Transformation: A Bold New Look
Vis-à-vis its precursor, the new Kicks certainly appears to be more flashy with a new alloy wheel design, a chunky gloss-black grille that ends with a leash of rectangular LED lights, noticeably increased ground clearance, and dual-tone colours on the top-spec SR trim.
The kicks is longer, wider, and taller than before, which is evident when viewed from the side. Larger wheel arches and a rising shoulder line near the C-pillar give it the SUV-ness which it aims to yammer and harangue profusely. The boomerang-styled tail lights leave a satisfying prima-facie and turn out to be the only sassy design bit in the otherwise neat and simple rear.
Interior Upgrades: A Glimpse Inside the Cabin
As with the exterior, the Kicks’ interior too has a gripping tale to tell. Gone is the obsolete and simple design of its forebear and in comes a generous mix of colours, expensive bits and a neoteric layout. It all begins with the optional dual 12.3-inch display screens should the standard 7-inch screens seem vanilla. Being the entry-level model in Nissan’s lineup, the car doesn’t completely omit buttons, as seen beneath the central AC vents.
However, these are capacitive ones and not physical switches. The new multi-function steering wheel is in line with the newer lot of Nissan cars but in the visuals, feels a tad too large. The optional ProPilot package encapsulates a slew of advanced driver assistance features which should be of good help on the UAE’s well-paved and marked lane roads. The SR trim also features red stitching across the dash border, door armrest and seats.
To set this variant apart from the lower ones, there’s body colour ornate around the gear lever boundaries. The new Kicks is anticipated to offer a plethora of features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, reverse parking camera with adaptive guidelines, automatic climate control and even a panoramic sunroof and 10-speaker Bose sound system as options.
Mechanical Makeover: Power and Performance Boost
The car’s mechanicals witness a complete revolution as the outgoing 1.6-litre petrol mill is swapped with a 2.0-litre gasoline mill that does duty on the Sentra sedan. As a result, power gets bumped to 141-hp from 118-hp. While the grunt will still be channelized via a CVT, it can be equally distributed between the front and rear axle as an AWD configuration is on the cards.
This will help the crossover achieve better grip and stability levels. However, in no probability, is the new Kicks aimed at off-roading. Traversing through mild rutted trails however, could be easier as complemented by additional ground clearance.
Advanced Technology: Cutting-Edge Features
The outgoing model has soldiered in the UAE for quite some time now with timely nips and tucks clinching the deal for this value proposition. The new model accentuates the car’s appeal further by addressing its minor shortfalls such as decidedly crossover looks and lack of a modern cabin.
While the new model is still some time away from hitting the Middle-Eastern shores, its inception in an all-new avatar in the region has the potential to give rivals such as the Mitsubishi ASX, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Mazda CX-30 a definite run for their money.
