2018 Nissan Kicks Loses the Quirkiness of the Juke

The Nissan Juke was an interesting beast. The looks were not for everyone, but it was a fun vehicle to drive around. It was also one of the first subcompact crossovers. The time has come replace Juke and the vehicle Nissan has chosen is the Kicks sold in South America.

Compared to Juke, the Kicks is somewhat normal looking. Nissan's V-Motion grille sits up front, along with some flared out fenders. A blacked-out C-Pillar gives the illusion of a floating roof. 16-inch steel wheels come on the base model, while 17-inch alloy wheels come on higher trims. The interior is traditional in terms of the design but looks to be slightly upmarket with a stitched dash. All models come with a 7-inch touchscreen system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

A 1.6L four-cylinder providing 125 horsepower and 115 pound-feet of torque will be the sole engine. Power will be routed to the front-wheels only via a CVT. Nissan says the Kicks will get a combined 33 MPG rating from the EPA.

Pricing for the 2018 Kicks will be announced sometime before its launch in the spring of 2018.

Source: Nissan
Press Release is on Page 2

2018 Nissan Kicks compact utility vehicle makes North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show

• New Nissan Kicks features unique style, personal technology, intelligent safety, efficient powertrain and strong value positioning
• Embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility with standard Automatic Emergency Braking and available Intelligent Around View® Monitor
• First new Nissan nameplate launched in last eight years, Kicks joins best-selling Rogue and Rogue Sport CUVs in Nissan's U.S. showrooms in June 2018

LOS ANGELES – The all-new 2018 Nissan Kicks, the newest entry in the fast-growing affordable compact crossover market, made its North American debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The bold new Kicks becomes the sixth member of the Nissan crossover and SUV lineup – which has experienced record sales in recent years – when it hits Nissan U.S. dealerships in June 2018.

"As the gateway to Nissan's adventure-ready sport-utility portfolio – joining Rogue Sport, Rogue, Murano, Pathfinder and Armada – Kicks is designed to fit the needs of singles or couples looking for expressive styling, personal technology, smart functionality and advanced safety features at an affordable price starting well under $19,000," said Dan Mohnke, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing and Operations, Nissan Division U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. Mohnke unveiled the new Kicks during a media event at the show.

The new 2018 Kicks combines emotion and practicality by blending bold wheel arch fenders and a high crossover stance with familiar Nissan design signatures, including a V-Motion grille, boomerang headlights and taillights, and a floating roof with a "wrap-around visor" look. Available exterior features include standard Intelligent Auto Headlights (I-AH) and available LED low beam headlights with LED signature accents.

The 2018 Kicks will be offered in a range of seven exterior colors – plus five two-tone combinations. Three of the two-tone color schemes utilize a black roof and contrasting body colors (white, orange or red). Also available: an orange roof with a gray body, or a white roof with a blue body.

"From a pure visual standpoint on the street, Kicks is a true head turner, especially in the bold two-tone color combinations," said Mohnke. "Kicks is clearly recognizable as part of the Nissan CUV family, but has a vibrancy and identity all its own."

Inside, the Kicks story is one of quality and futuristic design in a cabin full of the innovative features expected by its tech-hungry target audience. The interior promises ample passenger space in the rear – despite the coupe-like roofline – as well as one of the largest load areas in its class.

Kicks' simple "Gliding Wing" dashboard design is dominated by a centrally mounted 7.0-inch full color display housing a comprehensive infotainment system with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ smartphone connectivity. For the ultimate audio experience, the Kicks SR Premium Package includes the new class-exclusive2 Bose® Personal® Plus sound system with a pair of lightweight 2.5-inch Bose® UltraNearfield™ neodymium speakers located inside the Kicks' driver's seat headrest. Among the other on-board technology, Kicks features an available Intelligent Around View® Monitor (I-AVM).

Every 2018 Kicks comes with a standard 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS). The engine is rated at 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque. Aided by a smooth and efficient Xtronic transmission, the Kicks is expected to have a fuel economy rating 33 mpg combined. Kicks is offered in front-wheel drive only.

"With good ground clearance, a high eye point, electric power steering and small turning radius, Kicks is a great companion to navigate the city with," added Mohnke.

Safety, security and driver convenience features are strong points for the Nissan Kicks. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is standard on all grade levels, along with seven air bags and RearView Monitor. Kicks SV and Kicks SR add Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

The 2018 Nissan Kicks will be offered in three well-equipped models – Kicks S, Kicks SV and Kicks SR.  

"Pricing for the 2018 Nissan Kicks will be announced closer to its on-sale date in spring 2018, but we are expecting to be among the most competitive in the segment," said Mohnke. "Kicks' unique combination of expressive design, excellent fuel economy, intelligent technology and advanced safety features adds up to one thing – exceptional value."