The Nissan Kicks has long been one of the staples for the Japanese brand, both in the United Arab Emirates and in the GCC region in general. As one of the best-selling Nissan models since its debut in 2017, a new iteration of this compact crossover SUV has arrived in the UAE for the 2023 model year. While the changes made to this model will not be too apparent for many, that isn’t to say that the 2023 Kicks shouldn’t be on your list of consideration when scouting for a new car.
Speaking to those present at the launch of the 2023 Nissan Kicks was Thierry Sabbagh, President, Nissan Saudi Arabia, Infiniti Middle East and Managing Director, Nissan Middle East. He stated, "With customers residing at the core of our operations, we continue to cater to the unique needs of the region with our wide range of SUVs. The Kicks compact crossover, which serves as the entry point into our exciting SUV line-up, has proven to be an instant hit with young and trendy motorists in search of a stylish, economical, and technologically advanced crossover since its arrival to the Middle East in 2017. The new 2023 model builds on the attributes and features that made its predecessors segment leaders."
Does the new 2023 Nissan Kicks look urbane enough?
The Kicks went through a major redesign when the new model was launched back in 2020, so the overall aesthetic of the MY2023 Kicks remains vastly unchanged, which is far from disappointing. The front fascia of this crossover looks fairly distinguished. It features a well-sculpted hood, oversized but sleek LED headlamps (on top trims), Nissan’s signature & new double V-motion grille that’s painted in black with chrome detailing, plus a sporty-looking front bumper which accentuates this car’s aesthetic.
The side profile hasn’t been altered in any way, though the flared fenders with the black cladding and a strong shoulder line look appealing and lend a slight muscular feel to the overall stance. The new Kicks can be had in eye-catching dual-tone colors if you really want people to look at you, while the 17-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels on the top trim do look suitably trendy.
The rear of 2023 Kicks gets angular part-LED taillights with sharp-looking full-LED running elements, while the rear bumper has been designed to incorporate a faux skid plate/diffuser and a functioning fog lamp in the center. Finally, the roof spoiler adds to the sporty and urbane vibe of the 2023 Nissan Kicks.
How good is the interior of the new 2023 Nissan Kicks?
On the inside, customers of the 2023 Kicks will be treated to a fairly practical and well-designed cabin. There are stylistic elements like the soft-touch dashboard trim with faux stitching, a leather-wrapped flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel, and shiny bits of trim around the side air vents, center console and center pedestal. While it may not feel really luxurious in its feel, nothing feels flimsy or low-rent.
The seats on the 2023 Nissan Kicks are more than good enough, regardless of the distance you intend to cover. Plus, the common touchpoints such as the steering wheel, the gear lever, HVAC knobs, and the door handles. For the most part, the new Kicks is relatively quiet over most speed regimes, though rough patches do send reverberations through the cabin.
What are the key features of the new 2023 Nissan Kicks?
As far as convenience features are concerned, the 2023 Nissan Kicks is not shy of needful equipment. For instance, the compact crossover can be had with keyless entry & go, split-folding rear seats, a semi-digital driver’s display, automatic climate control, cruise control, a Bose premium audio system, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, LED headlights, and 360-degree cameras. The latter comes in handy, but it’s not the most high-tech and it feels a bit pixelated as well.
The new Kicks also comes loaded with modern safety features such as an electronic handbrake with auto hold, ABS with EBD, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, stability & traction management systems, Integrated Dynamic-Control Module, Intelligent Trace Control, a tire pressure monitor, and a whole sleuth of airbags. All that said, the 400-liter boot may not be the most spacious, but for a compact crossover, it’s decent.
What’s the new 2023 Nissan Kicks like to drive?
To start with, the Nissan Kicks was never a fast car. However, those who buy this compact crossover, are usually not expecting it to set record times anyway. The 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that powers the 2023 Nissan Kicks is relatively subdued in its demeanor yet efficient, producing 118 hp and 155 Nm of torque. If driven sedately, this four-cylinder unit should average around 14 kpl or 7.1 L/100 km, which is not half as bad.
On the other hand, the X-tronic CVT gearbox will not impress those who want to push the car, as it prefers going through its paces in a rather relaxed timeframe. Pushing this unit will only reveal the CVT-famed strained note, which will have the most enthusiastic drivers backing off. Meanwhile, the way the Kicks handles, especially on city roads is quite decent. It’s well-behaved, takes corners with a fair amount of composure, and the suspension usually does the job well.
However, out on the highway and on longer drives, the Kicks can get tiresome. Its suspension, while good on city commutes, is a touch too hard and not as well sorted as one would expect. However, the comfortable seats make up for it to some extent. Overall, as a city commuter, the 2023 Nissan Kicks does the job quite well.
How much does the new 2023 Nissan Kicks cost in the UAE?
The 2023 Nissan Kicks price in the UAE ranges between AED 71,000 to AED 89,500. If you are looking for an easy-to-drive city car that’s styled as a small SUV and offers a decent number of features, the new 2023 Kicks is definitely worthy of your consideration.
