LOTS OF BANG FOR THE BUCK
Nissan’s all-new Kicks hits the ground running in the compact CUV segment
MONTREAL There’s often a stigma attached to the term “entry level.” It can easily be related with other, less flattering terms such as plain, spartan, or even cheap.
Fortunately Nissan’s latest entry level compact crossover, the Kicks, is none of those things, despite boasting the lowest price in the hotly contested segment that includes Ford’s EcoSport, the Honda HR-V and Hyundai’s all-new Kona, among a few others.
Pricing starts at $17,998 for the base S model, and tops off at $22,798 for the top-trim SR model. Its starting price is $2,100 less than its nearest competitor, the Kia Soul. The only option you can add, available on the SV and SR models, is a contrast-colour roof, available in five hues, for an additional $150.
The Kicks is based on the Versa Note, boasting a 20-millimetre-longer wheelbase, plus a wider track and body. These added exterior dimensions really increase interior space, and there’s more room for all occupants, especially in the rear seat, which fits two adults comfortably. There is plenty of head and legroom, even with the front seats adjusted for six-footers. The only caveat is a slightly intrusive padded trim piece on the centre console that bumps the driver’s right knee.
The Kicks also has respectable cargo capacity, with 716 litres available behind the rear seat. That expands to 915 L with the 60/40-split rear seats folded down.
While lower-price base models are usually included in a lineup to attract buyers, they are often sparsely equipped, forcing buyers to upgrade to a higher trim level if they desire some basic convenience features. This isn’t the case with the Kicks, which is well equipped even in the base model.
For its modest starting price, the Kicks S includes an automatic transmission (it’s a CVT, but it’s programmed to mimic automatic gear changes and isn’t completely bland), air conditioning, power locks and windows, cruise control, remote keyless entry with push-button start, a rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity, three USB ports, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and a seven-inch colour touch screen. About the only luxuries missing are heated seats, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, which are standard on the SV and SR. Because the Kicks is based on the Versa platform, what you cannot get is all-wheel drive, though this is common in this segment. Nissan offers AWD on the similarly sized (and priced) Qashqai.
Among the cost-cutting measures taken to meet the Kicks’ price point is the use of drum brakes in the rear, and if you pop the hood, you’ll be surprised to see there’s no decorative plastic cover masking the engine’s mechanical bits. As a former technician, I actually like the engine’s bare display, however drivers with less mechanical knowledge might find it difficult to find the basic maintenance items. Of course, a quick scan of the owner’s manual should make this easier.
A 1.6-L in-line four-cyclinder engine, with 125 horsepower and 115 pound-feet of torque, powers the Kicks — and, well, it lacks some kick. It provides a good initial launch from a start and is smooth and quiet at lower speeds; however, it wheezes and huffs when making a pass on the highway. But fret not; the Kicks is marketed as an urban runabout, and in the city it performs well. It also returns exceptional fuel efficiency, claiming a best-in-class 7.2 L/100 kilometres combined ratio for city and highway driving. That can drop to as low as 6.6 on the highway.
My tester is the top-level SR, which among other things is equipped with an eight-speaker Bose sound system that includes speakers in the driver’s headrest. Should you opt for the SR, warn your neighbour in advance: this crystal-clear sound system pumps out enough bass to rattle windows.
High-fidelity aside, the Kicks reveals its cost-cutting, albeit high-value, nature by returning a lacklustre driving experience. The suspension feels basic and harsh, and steering response is soft and numb. On the plus side, its “zero-gravity” front seats are supportive and surprisingly comfortable.
Then there’s that CVT, though as mentioned earlier, it’s not entirely spiritless. For most drivers, it offers convenience and boosts fuel efficiency. Noticeable is a marked drop in acceleration as it fake shifts into third gear, as engine revs drop a bit too much. Steady highway cruising is comfortable and relatively quiet, with the engine spinning below 2,000 rpm at 110 km/h.
Despite a few shortcomings, the 2018 Nissan Kicks enters the compact crossover segment running.
Among its most redeeming qualities is value, coming in well equipped, roomy and comfortable at an attractive price. These qualities will likely make it popular among budget-conscious buyers, and it will no doubt do well in the showroom.
It’ll probably be less popular among Nissan salespeople, because they will have a tough time pitching the upsell to higher trim levels since the base Kicks has almost everything you’ll need.
Driving.ca