The right kick? Will Nissan's Kicks give competition to Creta

Only if Nissan prices the Kicks well, will it give stiff competition to the Creta

December 18, 2018 05:31 pm | Updated 05:41 pm IST

What is it?

Nissan’s made-for-India Kicks is finally here. While based on the same platform as the Micra in most international markets, this one inherits the Duster’s tough DNA and is based on an updated version of the M0 platform.

The Kicks has a proper SUV stance with its tall upright cabin, flat bonnet and tough body cladding — all of which give it a beefy, macho appearance. What has also helped is that a lot of the design work and final detailing has been carried out in India; and truth be told, the designers have managed to blend the edgy detailing and robust architecture quite nicely. Design elements — like the sleek projector headlamps that flank the signature V-shaped grille, the sharp cuts on the flanks, the boomerang-shaped tail-lamps, the 17-inch diamond-cut alloys and the roof rails — all work well; and so do the blacked-out pillars which, along with the two-tone orange-and-silver paint scheme, are a unique combination. In terms of size, the Kicks is larger than the Creta in every dimension. It is also 55mm longer and 32mm taller than the Renault Captur.

 

What is it like inside?

Nissan seems to have gone the distance to lift the appeal of the interiors. The chocolate-brown leather cladding on the dash gets white contrast stitching, the door pads are beautifully finished, there are brushed silver accents, and even quilting on the leather seats to lend a premium touch. What really gets your attention, however, is the new 8.0-inch floating touchscreen that not only looks good, but is smooth, slick and performs well. The ‘butterfly-type’ meters that flank the digital speedometer are also attractive; and then there’s the steering that’s nicely built too, although the dummy buttons on it are quite an eyesore and the fuel gauge looks unusually large as well. Also, on closer inspection, you can see a few hard plastics in not-so-important places and some carryover bits from its siblings have been included, ergonomic flaws intact — stuff like an elbow rest that sometimes fouls your elbow when you change gear, a narrow-but-deep glove box and the seats that are placed a bit too high. In addition, there aren’t any cupholders in the central console, there’s no elbow box and, there’s just one USB slot. However, the door pockets are the saving grace here, which are large and easily hold 1-litre bottles.

The upright seating position means visibility is good; the front seats are broad and accommodating and there’s more lateral support on these very comfy cross-stitched leather seats. While there’s plenty of seat adjustment, the steering only adjusts for rake, and not reach. A dead pedal is missing, too, and space in the footwell is compromised due to the protruding centre console.

Getting into the rear is quite easy, thanks to wide-opening doors. There’s a reasonable amount of space in the back, and while the dark interiors make it look smaller than it is, there’s plenty of headroom and adequate knee room. Even a third passenger wouldn’t feel unwelcome here, thanks to the adequate seat width and an almost flat floor. Another nice touch is the dual-operable parcel shelf that can be opened from inside to access the large 400-litre boot.

Nissan has included some segment-first kit like a 360-degree camera, leather dashboard inserts, and an Eco driving mode. The features list includes 17-inch alloys, four airbags, cruise control, auto LED projector headlamps, cornering lights, climate control, hill-hold assist, vehicle dynamic control, rain-sensing wipers and a digital speedometer, amongst others. It does, however, miss out kit like a sunroof, curtain airbags and wireless phone charging.

 

What is it like to drive?

The Nissan shares its powertrains with the Duster and Captur, so it gets a 1.5-litre diesel mated to a 6-speed manual and a 1.5-litre petrol mated to a 5-speed manual (not tested here). There are currently no automatic options.

The diesel engine is the familiar 110hp, K9K motor that makes 240Nm of torque — and here its character remains largely unchanged. As before, it’s a bit rough at idle, but smoothens out once it starts spinning faster. There is a fair bit of turbo lag below 2,000rpm, and at low speeds there is a fair amount of clatter too. However, the turbo lag is less than that on the Duster or Captur, and as the engine is eager to rev, it rewards drivers with its meaty mid-range performance. It’s at its strongest between 2,100-4,000rpm; so as long as you remain in its powerband, overtaking on the highways is rather effortless and performance is strong. It’s also nice to see that this engine feels smooth and jerk-free at low speeds, and neither the clutch nor the gears are cumbersome to use. The steering is a bit weighty at parking speeds, but lightens up as soon as you start moving.

What’s also quite impressive is the manner in which it rides. Happen to miss a speed bump or a pothole at speed, no problem — the Kicks simply takes it in its stride, only tossing you mildly, no big crash from the suspension; and the ride remains composed and settled at speed, too. Even at low speed, it does its best to keep road shocks to a minimum. Then there’s the handling, which is neat and tidy too. The turn-in is quite sharp, especially at speed, and this means you need a steady hand on the wheel, and there is some body roll too, but straightline stability is good, and it does have a fair amount of grip around corners. The body roll is well-contained and the brakes give you a fair amount of confidence, too.

Should I buy one?

The Kicks does many things right. It is robust and it portrays a sense of toughness, it rides and handles well, the diesel engine has more than enough grunt and the interior is both well-built and generously equipped. Yes, the diesel engine is a bit gruff, there are a few ergonomic issues in the cabin and there’s no automatic option. Still, if Nissan prices it well, it could finally have a strong contender on hand — one that can offer a truly credible alternative to the Creta.

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