WHAT a shocking surprise we have right here at the end of the year.

Nissan has finally gotten around to bringing the Kicks to Malaysia, and along with it is the brand's e-Power technology.

For some context, the e-Power platform is best described as a powertrain that sits somewhere between a hybrid (mostly) and an electric vehicle (EV) with the latter through some technicalities.

No it is not an EV and neither is it a form of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Instead the model is powered by a battery that is supported by an engine that charges the battery. Makes sense?

And unlike the conventional understanding of hybrids there is no alternating between engine and battery or electric motor (depending on the model) to efficiently run the model. The star is clearly the battery with the engine supporting it.

As is the case with the Kicks e-Power. The compact B-segment sports utility vehicle's (B-SUV) houses a 2nd generation e-Power system that is fully electric motor-driven - with a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine serving only as a generator to charge the onboard Lithium-ion battery. 

By design, Nissan's aim with the platform 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.

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

Four driving modes are available to the driver: Eco, Sport, Standard and EV.

The experience is complete with the inclusion of an e-Pedal Step to enable acceleration and deceleration with a single pedal. All the same it uses regenerative braking to recharge the battery. 

Nissan's setup also allows for some very unique results with its hybrid-EV-ish qualities.

First is its impressive fuel efficiency of 21.7 km/l while providing an estimated range of up to 900 km on a full tank. 

Then, while it is no EV, the e-Power system reduces tailpipe emissions by 20% compared to a similar internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered vehicle.

It may sound a bit convoluted on paper, but suffice to say you'll get it once you're driving the Kicks.

Given our short time with the SUV we have to admit it is a winning formula. Range clearly wasn't an issue as we easily clocked in 700km without much effort. 

What took many of us by surprise was how EV-like the Kicks felt. There was a lot of torque, it drove really smoothly and the cabin handles noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) very well.

The icing on the cake is the pairing of the system with a B-segment oriented size SUV. This meant the model wasn't huge and was light to control, allowing it a lot more maneuverability on the driver's end.

On its own the love over the e-Power setup comes with the EV-like qualities without the hassles that come with the powertrain. 

That means all you have to worry is refuelling with no external charging involved - both the engine and the regenerative breaking will be the ones doing the heavy lifting.

You don't need to be conservative with the pedal either for fear of burning your available range as with EVs during hard acceleration.

Size of the model is just right and ample enough as long as you're not trying to go beyond four passengers. If there is one concern it is the local interior furnishing which will differ from the one most of us got to experience - the Kicks we got to take around Selangor and Melaka were from Singapore.

Otherwise the SUV was just fun to drive around without much care for anything else. We expected it to have the range that of hybrid but fun wasn't something we anticipated since the initial preview drive only had participants go for a short distance and didn't leave much impression then.

The true qualities of the vehicle kicks in when you take it through traffic, long distance driving and winding roads.

Yes, winding roads. The shocker was how well the Kicks e-Power handled curves and bends. 

Finally there's the pricing. We were already impressed before the official price announcement and that has only gotten only sweeter post-launch. It isn't too much of an exeggeration to say it is one of the more unique vehicles to launch this year at this price level.

Our first impression with the model is mostly how much of a joy it is to drive an EV-like SUV without worrying about all the baggage it normally comes with. We'll see if this experience carries onto our test drive review once we get another go with the model.

Kicks e-Power

Available in two variants, the Kicks e-Power's 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.

It has a five-star ASEAN NCAP rating, complete with a suite of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features: 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 in addition to 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 Intelligent Rear-View Mirror (IRVM) viewed through a 2-megapixel camera and a high-resolution display.

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

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 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.

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.

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