Nissan Kicks e-Power vs. the competition

Since its initial introduction to the Philippine market in 2022, the Nissan Kicks e-Power has become one of Nissan Philippines Incorporated’s most recognizable products. 

Just take a gander at any road in our country’s big cities and you’ll find one or two examples of the electrified crossover running around. 

Sure, the brand’s local arm did indicate that its best-seller for 2024 was the Navara, but the Kicks e-Power has plenty of characteristics that car buyers want. Examples of the aforementioned include an electric vehicle-like drive due to its unique powertrain, its wealth of creature comforts, and its elegantly styled exterior.

The Nissan Kicks e-Power, however, does have plenty of competitors situated roughly within the same price point. So, what are these models, and what do they offer?

Before anything else, though, let’s have a summary of the Kicks e-Power’s specifications and features. 

Nissan Kicks e-Power

Appearance-wise, the Nissan Kicks e-Power goes for the elegant but functional route. It has a fairly sleek outline, coupled with a high-riding stance. The aforementioned are complemented by black-colored decorative pieces, a sizable grille, and a set of sharp LED lighting fixtures. 

On the outside, the main LED headlamps of the Kicks e-Power get automatic functionality and an automatic hazard lamp feature. It also comes standard with roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels, a shark fin antenna, power-folding side mirrors, and a roof-mounted spoiler. 

Size-wise, the model is 4,300 millimeters (mm) long, 1,760 mm wide, and 1,615 mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,620 mm and a ground clearance of 180 mm. 

Inside the top-spec Nissan Kicks e-Power are leather-upholstered seats coupled with black leather and gray stitching for many of the cabin’s main parts. All five of its occupants are kept cool by a single-zone automatic air-conditioning system, while added versatility is provided by a 60:40 split-folding rear seat. 

Handling on-board entertainment for the Nissan-made crossover is an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has USB Type-A and Type-C ports, a six-piece speaker set, and a 12-volt accessory outlet. 

Other notable interior features of the Nissan Kicks e-Power include the following: 

• Electronic parking brake
• Electronic gear selector
• Leather steering wheel
• Push-to-start button
• Zero Gravity front seats
• Seven-inch digital gauge
• Front cabin center armrest

For safety, the model comes with six airbags, anti-lock braking, vehicle dynamic control, rear parking sensors, and an anti-theft system. The aforementioned are reinforced by a suite of advanced driver-assist systems, which include a 360-degree view monitor, driver attention alert, hill-start assist, autonomous emergency braking, and forward collision warning, among others. 

Propelling the model is Nissan’s e-Power system, which on the Kicks consists of a 1.2-liter three-cylinder mill, a lithium-ion battery, and an electronic motor. All together, the system can generate up to 98 horsepower (hp) and 280 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. 

The said powertrain is paired with an automatic single-speed gear reduction transmission, sending power to the vehicle’s front wheels. 

To note, the internal combustion component of the e-Power system merely charges the crossover’s battery. All power and torque are provided to the vehicle by its electric motor. 

Here is a table summarizing the output figures and other mechanical details of the Nissan Kicks e-Power: 

Engine	1.2-liter inline-3 gasoline
Motor	AC Synchronous motor
Battery	2.13 kilowatt-hour (kWh)
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Transmission	Automatic single-speed gear reduction
Horsepower	98
Torque	280 Nm
Front suspension	Strut type
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front and rear discs

 

Pricing for the Philippine-spec Nissan Kicks e-Power ranges from P1.179 million-P1.479 million. 

Toyota Yaris Cross S HEV

One key rival of the Nissan Kicks e-Power in the Philippine market is the Toyota Yaris Cross, specifically its top-spec S hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) trim. As of this writing, the said variant retails for P1.61 million. 

Style-wise, the Yaris Cross S HEV comes with a sport utility vehicle-like appeal, thanks to its aggressive and angular curves, as well as its prominent mesh-type grille. Further enhancing the exterior of the Toyota-made hybrid is a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting fixtures, power-folding side mirrors, roof rails, a rear spoiler, a fin-type antenna, and a moonroof - among others. 

From nose to tail, the Toyota Yaris Cross is 4,310 mm long. It is also 1,770 mm wide and 1,615 mm in height. Its wheelbase, meanwhile, is 2,620 mm in length. 

Inside, the five-seater Toyota crossover comes with leather upholstery, an automatic climate control system, a power tailgate, a 60:40 split-folding second row, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. 

Positioned at the center of its dashboard is a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Sound is outputted by a six-piece Pioneer speaker set, while cabled device charging may be done through a 12-volt accessory outlet or Type-A and Type-C USB ports. 

For the driver, the Toyota Yaris Cross provides the following amenities: 

• Leather steering wheel
• Keyless entry
• Push-to-start button
• Drive mode selector
• Seven-inch digital gauge
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat
• Electronic parking brake

As expected, the top-spec trim of the Toyota Yaris Cross was equipped with a comprehensive safety kit. Its basic safety gear is likewise reinforced by several ADAS components collectively known as the Toyota Safety Sense. The aforementioned consist of the following: 

• Pre-collision system
• Automatic high beam
• Lane trace assist
• Lane keep assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blinds-spot monitoring
• Rear-cross traffic alert

For its engine, the Toyota Yaris Cross S HEV uses the 1.5-liter 2NR-VEX inline-4 hybrid mill. In total, it can produce up to 109 hp and 121 Nm of torque. Power is sent to its front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

Here is a table showcasing the engine outputs and other mechanical details of the Toyota Yaris Cross S HEV:

Engine	1.5-liter 2NR-VEX inline-4 hybrid
Drivetrain	FWD
Transmission	CVT
Total horsepower	109
Torque	121 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Honda HR-V RS e:HEV

Yet another competitor of the Nissan Kicks e-Power is the Honda HR-V RS e:HEV. Currently, it is priced at P1.799 million. 

Style-wise, the latest version of Honda’s subcompact crossover received a slick design, made all the more sporty by its sharp LED fixtures, black-colored grille, a prominent front lip, 18-inch RS wheels - among others. 

On the more practical side, the body of the HR-V RS e:HEV was fitted with a power tailgate with a kick sensor, power-folding side mirrors, and automatic functionality for its headlamps. 

Size-wise, the Honda HR-V RS e:HEV is 4,388 mm long, 1,790 mm wide, and 1,591 mm in height. It has a wheelbase length of 2,610 mm.

Step inside the HR-V and you’ll be greeted by a cabin (and seats) that is mostly clad in leather. Added color is supplied by contrast stitching, as well as shiny decorative bits on its dual-zone automatic air-conditioning knobs, leather wrapped steering wheel, and center console. 

The driver of the Honda crossover gets to use a power-adjustable seat, while the rear cabin has added versatility thanks to the brand’s Utility, Long, and Tall rear seat. 

Other noteworthy amenities present inside the HR-V RS e:HEV also include the following: 

• Seven-inch digital gauge
• Type-C USB ports
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Push-to-start button
• Smart entry
• Eight-piece speaker system
• Drive mode selector
• Electronic parking brake

Handling the onboard entertainment and navigation needs of the HR-V RS e:HEV’s users is an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

For safety, the model comes with a wide array of basic safety gear, as well as the Honda Sensing ADAS suite. The aforementioned includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, collision mitigation braking, automatic high beams, and lead car departure notification - among others. 

Propelling the Honda HR-V RS e:HEV is a 1.5-liter inline-4 hybrid gasoline engine capable of producing up to 129 hp and 253 Nm of torque. Power is sent to its front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). 

Here is a table detailing the outputs and other mechanical specs of the Honda HR-V RS e:HEV: 

Engine	1.5-liter inline-4 hybrid
Drivetrain	FWD
Transmission	e-CVT
Total horsepower	129
Torque	253 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Final thoughts

In general, the Nissan Kicks e-Power is up to par against its closest rivals. Sure, it may not be the most powerful electrified nameplate in its class, but it has a comparable amount of creature comforts and safety gear. 

For people who like what they see in the Nissan Kicks e-Power, don’t hesitate to take the time to take it out for a test drive. Who knows, it might just be the right ride for you. 

Also read:

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