2020 Nissan Kicks Turbo manual XV Premium (O) SUV review
What is it?
The new Kicks Turbo with its new, 156hp turbo-petrol engine, claims to be the most enjoyment-to-travel edition of Nissan’s SUV yet. An SUV we’d been ready to travel for a handful of months, our disappointment when we lastly regulate to lay our palms on the car, however was palpable. There are completely no visible cues to notify us this is the new turbocharged edition no new bits on the exterior, no new stickers, not even a ‘Turbo’ badge. Even the inside is similar.

Exactly where it is new, however, is underneath the hood. Co-designed by Nissan, Renault and Daimler, this significant-tech turbo-petrol engine has been intended to replace punchy diesels. This is why it provides a sizeable 254Nm from just one,600rpm in this variety, and to make it experience punchy, terrific emphasis was laid on reduced-pace responses and reduced-vitality airflow. The turbo uses an electric wastegate for a lot quicker responses, features a significant-stress, direct-petrol-injection system (250bar), six-gap injectors, its variable cams are electrically actuated and the engine also uses engineering from the Nissan GT-R – Mirror Bore Coating – that lowers friction.

New one.three-litre turbo-petrol engine is jointly designed by Nissan, Renault and Daimler and produces 156hp and 254Nm
What is it like inside of?
While there are no substantial changes to the inside of, the Kicks Turbo remains cozy and solidly created. The cabin has a in close proximity to-indestructible, Duster-like vibe to it (almost everything feels created to previous at least a ten years) and Nissan has presented the cabin a padded sprint, cozy seats and a very capable touchscreen.

The sprint feels created to previous, but high-quality ranges are not very as very good as its Korean rivals.
There are a handful of less-than-amazing plastics, such as these on the decreased section of the sprint, cup-holders are missing up entrance, and with no USB ports at the rear, passengers will have to share the a single underneath the sprint. Even now, they won’t be still left seeking for place in the rear, the rear bench by itself is very cozy and even the boot is quite significant and conveniently formed.

Loads of place in the again and seat is comfy, but there is no sunroof
What sort of features does it get?
Initially up, I want to use its coolest function. Regarded as Remote Engine Start, it does what it states on the tin, and commences the car by means of a button on the important card. All you need to have to do is maintain down reported button for about a few seconds and, hey presto, the Kicks Turbo commences up as uncomplicated as that. It, uniquely, is the very first car to supply this function with a guide gearbox.
To use it, the car desires to be parked in neutral with the handbrake up. And if you want the cabin cooled (of study course you do), you need to have to have still left the air-con switched on. So as extended as you are in vary and can see your car from your business office or property, you can commence it up and amazing the cabin. Although this car comes with the NissanConnect app, Remote Start cannot be made use of by means of your cell phone yet, and that’s a bit peculiar.

8.-inch touchscreen works perfectly.
Nissan has also loaded the SUV with other kit. The Kicks Turbo comes with things like related-car tech and a 360-degree parking digital camera, as perfectly as things like voice recognition, idle prevent-commence, computerized headlights, cornering lights, ESP, hill-commence aid, cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and LED headlamps. Although features like cooled seats and wireless charging, uncovered on competitors like the Hyundai Creta, are missing.

Engine prevent-commence section of the package deal.
What is it like to travel?
There is a hint of vibration at idle, particularly when the compressor cuts in, and as I get into targeted visitors, the clutch feels a bit weighty. This, however, is quickly neglected. The Kicks Turbo pulls very perfectly when I lastly get a gap in targeted visitors.

There is a solid tug, even on a mild throttle, the car is generally straining at the leash, and much better nevertheless, whichever the pace, it would seem to have lots of oomph in reserve. The floodgates only actually open when the engine receives into its mid-vary, however. Get the turbo blowing, place your foot down, and the surge is so solid, the Kicks just shoots forward. This is especially enjoyment when you fly earlier cars that normally consider some arranging to pass, and what feels nicer nevertheless is that responses are really instantaneous.
The moment we get onto the highway, the engine pulls cleanly all the way earlier 5,500rpm, and below as well, staying on the gasoline feels terrific, as the Kicks Turbo pulls forward neatly. Even so, the ramp-up in functionality flattens as the engine receives nearer to six,000rpm. As opposed to VW’s one. TSI or Kia’s one.4 T-GDi, this engine is extra of a slugger, with most of the get the job done done in the mid-vary. I desire the top stop was a bit much better however operating this 156hp engine to the redline is mildly disappointing.
So how rapid is it? While we did perform a check, the -100kph time of 11.85sec for this guide edition (there is a CVT-auto on supply as perfectly) does not paint an correct picture. The traction control system could not be switched off and then, to make matters worse, there was a rev lock. So, as a substitute of powering away from rest with its entrance wheels spinning, the Kicks Turbo only limped off the line.
In-equipment times, where the launch does not subject, do give a much better indication of the pace. 20-80 in third takes 11.16sec – not as well much off the 10.05sec recorded by the lighter, 140hp Kia Seltos which, by the way, does -one hundred in a blistering 8.96sec.
2020 Nissan Kicks one.three turbo-petrol MT functionality (as analyzed)* | |
-10kph | .79 sec |
-20kph | one.ninety one sec |
-30kph | two.sixty eight sec |
-40kph | three.forty sec |
-50kph | 4.27 sec |
-60kph | 5.65 sec |
-70kph | six.71 sec |
-80kph | seven.92 sec |
-90kph | nine.84 sec |
-100kph | 11.eighty five sec |
-110kph | 13.79 sec |
-120kph | 15.eighty three sec |
-130kph | eighteen.36 sec |
-140kph | 21.65 sec |
20-80kph (in third) | 11.sixteen sec |
forty-100kph (in fourth) | 12.67 sec |
The Kicks Turbo also is not in its element in prevent-commence targeted visitors. The clutch is a bit weighty, the gears often need to have an more shove, and then there is that little bit of turbo lag to contend with. Guaranteed, you can simply travel all over these concerns, but then it evidently is not as mild, effortless or as refined to travel as one thing like a Creta or a Seltos.
How cozy is the Nissan Kicks Turbo?
With its 200mm of floor clearance and the rough, Duster-derived suspension that’s tuned for rough roadways, the Kicks is just outstanding about weak surfaces. There is a hint of stiffness in the springs, and you do experience some of the sharper-edged bumps. But the trip is flat, there is practically no bounce and, due to the fact the suspension feels sturdy sufficient to travel flat-out about even a rally phase, you are inclined to just retain your foot down.

What is also especially awesome, particularly with this 156hp motor underneath the hood, is that it feels properly planted in corners. Whichever roll there is, is perfectly contained, but there is a reasonable volume of torque steer when you are tough on the throttle, and, at times, it tramlines or follows ridges in the road. Even now, the steering has lots of experience, switch-in is very positive and you can truly string collectively a set of corners and get pleasure from them. It is so substantially enjoyment, it even feels like a bit of a rally hero on a gravel phase.
Must you get a single?
There is little doubt, the Turbo is simply the most effective Kicks yet. Thrilling to travel about very good and bad roadways, it gives effortless-to-accessibility functionality, a chassis that’s ready to participate in, and a rough and sturdy establish. The cabin is a cozy area to invest time, it is perfectly appointed, and it is even reasonably geared up.

No Turbo badge at rear this just could the supreme ‘sleeper’ it has extra than sufficient grunt to shock.
It does slide behind competitors like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta is some spots. The cabin is not as sophisticated, refinement is not as very good, it is not very as perfectly geared up and it does not execute as strongly possibly. In fact, for all its headline figures, the functionality of the Kicks is not as amazing as we predicted it to be, and until you go for the optional CVT, the weighty clutch and gearshift signify it takes a bit extra effort and hard work to travel in targeted visitors.
What puts the Kicks again on an even keel with its two Korean rivals, however, is the fact that it is somewhere around Rs two lakh less expensive. It might not be for absolutely everyone, and it might nevertheless be a bit rough all over the edges, but does the Kicks Turbo have what it takes to supply a credible option, at a extra economical value? Absolutely.
* Effectiveness figures not to Autocar India check criteria.
Also see
2020 Nissan Kicks turbo-petrol video critique
