NISSAN'S shockingly fun compact B-segment sports utility vehicle (B-SUV) has just gotten a lot more irresistible. 

The first 500 customers of the 2025 Kicks e-Power will be entitled to an early bird 10-year/160,000 km electric vehicle (EV) components warranty (high voltage battery, motor, inverter and e-Power control unit) in addition to an introductory rebate of RM5,000.

This puts the already competitively priced model to start at RM108,800 - normal starting on the road price without insurance is RM113,800.

“We are thrilled to announce early bird promotions for the launch of the all-new Nissan Kicks e-Power. These exclusive deals make it more accessible for Malaysians to experience the benefits of Nissan’s pioneering e-Power technology and electrified mobility,” said Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) chief executive officer Khoo Cheng Pah.

The launch of the Kicks e-Power signals Nissan’s broader plans to introduce a wider range of electrified vehicles in Malaysia. 

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (NML) MC Japan-ASEAN chairperson, and chief brand and customer officer Asako Hoshino said they are expanding their lineup with EV and e-Power models as part of Nissan’s global business plan, The Arc.

“The Nissan Kicks e-Power is just the beginning of the electric mobility journey in Malaysia. With over 60 years of presence in the country, we’re excited for the future and grateful to Edaran Tan Chong Motor for their ongoing partnership,” Hoshino added.

Equipped with Nissan’s 2nd generation e-Power system, the Kicks e-Power is fully electric motor-driven with a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine serving only as a generator to charge the onboard Lithium-ion battery. 

The front-mounted electric motor delivers 95kw (129 PS) and 280 Nm of torque, powered by a 2.06 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack positioned under the front seats. 

Taking advantage of its performance are four driving modes: Eco, Sport, Standard and EV.

There's also an e-Pedal Step to enable acceleration and deceleration with a single pedal as it uses regenerative braking to recharge the battery. 

This design is to replicate a full electric driving experience - characterised by instant torque, quiet acceleration, and smooth handling - without the need for external plug-in charging.

This results in an impressive fuel efficiency of 21.7 km/l while providing an estimated range of up to 900 kilometers on a full tank. 

Additionally, the e-Power system reduces tailpipe emissions by 20% compared to a similar internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicle.

Exterior design is highlighted by LED headlights and tail lamps, Nissan’s signature V-motion grille, and a sporty silhouette enhanced by the brand's floating roof. 

Its compact dimensions are 4,290 mm in length, 1,760 mm in width, and 1605mm in height, with a 2620mm wheelbase and a 423-litre trunk. 

The ground clearance is 170mm and the minimum turning radius is 5.1 meters.

Cabin is home to a 7-inch full-colour driver's instrument display, a sporty D-shaped flat-bottom steering wheel with multi-function controls, front Zero-Gravity seats, and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen that has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

The VL variant interior features black fabric with blue stitching, while the VLT variant comes with black and mocha brown leatherette.

Nissan said the SUV was designed to keep maintenance costs low to make it more affordable than many traditional ICE and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) - maintenance cost for 100,000 km over five years is reportedly RM3,624 which is deemed significantly lower than many B-SUV models available on the market.

Supporting services for the vehicle includes 62 nationwide workshops staffed with certified e-Power technicians, 24-hour roadside assistance, five regional parts hubs, and courtesy cars for repairs that require more than 24 hours to remedy.

Earning itself a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating, the Kicks e-Power is equipped with a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Intelligent Driver Alertness (IDA), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW), Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), Around View Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD) and an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold function. 

This is on top of seven SRS airbags and an enhanced body structure for more safety.

Additional features include Nissan's Intelligent Trace Control (ITC), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). 

The SUV also uses an innovative Intelligent Rear-View Mirror (IRVM) viewed through a 2-megapixel camera and a high-resolution display.

ETCM executive vice president Christopher Tan mentioned that he launch of the new model marks a key step in making electric vehicles more accessible to Malaysians while driving the country closer to full electric mobility.

"This game-changing SUV offers an EV-like experience with no compromise on fuel efficiency or performance. Now, Malaysians can enjoy this gateway technology, which has produced over 1.5 million e-POWER vehicles worldwide,” said Tan.

Available in Malaysia starting January 2025, the Nissan Kicks e-Power comes in two variants: VL and VLT. Both are priced at RM113,800 and RM121,800, respectively (on the road price without insurance).

Early bird pricing puts the two at RM108,800 (VL) and RM116,800 (VLT) with the RM5,000 rebate.

Prices come with a 5-year/100,000 km vehicle warranty as standard.

Six colour options are available: Brilliant White Pearl, Sunrise Orange, Red Pearl, Brilliant Silver, and Black Star. 

The VLT variant is also offered in two-tone colour options with a Super Black roof and an additional body colour, Dark Metal Grey. Pricing for it is RM125,800 and RM120,800 post-early bird special.

The Nissan Kicks e-Power is currently being showcased at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2024 (KLIMS 2024) that is held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) from Dec 5-11.