The All New 2021 Nissan Kicks Officially Arrives In The Middle East

The crossover SUV segment is perhaps one of the true money makers for the automotive companies all over the world. And the Middle East region is no exception to this rule. In thriving markets such as the United Arab Emirates, automakers indulge themselves by launching new crossovers all the time. This time around, the car making all the noise is the all-new 2021 Nissan Kicks. Launched for the first time in 2016, the Nissan Kicks is one of the Japanese brand’s most affordable SUVs in the UAE. Now, the latest iteration is here to continue its march to try and win over customers all over again.

Commenting on the all-new 2021 Nissan Kicks was Thierry Sabbagh, Managing Director, Nissan Middle East, who said, “The Nissan KICKS has always had a finger on the pulse of the young urban commuter, combining style and technology with a value for money that has made it a fast favorite in the region. The 2021 Nissan KICKS dials up both connectivity and customization while infusing it with the latest Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology – making this an even more formidable model within the SUV-B segment.”

2021 Nissan Kicks variants and prices in the UAE

Arriving fresh off the boat, the all-new 2021 Kicks will retail from 61,900 dirhams in the UAE. Nissan has announced that there will be three different trim levels of the new Kicks – the entry-level S, mid-spec SV, and the range-topping SL.

Exterior look and feel of the 2021 Nissan Kicks

Penned using Nissan's Emotional Geometry concept, the all-new 2021 Kicks looks far more sporty and sharper than its precursor. The boldly-styled front fascia of the 2021 Kicks wears Nissan updated "Double V-motion" grille, new LED headlamps & fog lamps, and a reprofiled bumper with a faux front wing. There’s a good mix of gloss black and chrome here as well, which helps make this face more interesting, overall

Nissan has kept the sides of the 2021 Kicks similar to its forerunner – the flared fenders, dual-tone paint schemes and couple of character lines, are all here. However, what is new is the design of the 17-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, there has also been a mild revision to the rear of the Kicks, with the new model receiving new LED taillights joined together by a static reflector bar and a slightly redesigned back bumper. While the visual tweaks made may not be too dramatic, they’ve made the all-new Kicks more compelling to look at.

Finally, the 2021 Nissan Kicks is now offered in the Middle East with 6 new exterior colors. These include single-tone shades like Electric Blue Metallic, Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, Boulder Gray Pearl, and dual-tone shades like Super Black Roof/Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, Super Black Roof/Electric Blue Metallic, and Super Black Roof/Boulder Gray Pearl.

Interior changes and features of the 2021 Nissan Kicks

Admittedly, not much has changed on the inside of the 2021 Kicks over its predecessor. However, it does now come with new colors for seat upholstery and a revised design for the door trim. Nissan also claims that it has improved the soundproofing, whilst retaining the D-shaped steering wheel and the brand’s “Zero Gravity” seats. With 2,618mm of wheelbase and 432 liters of boot space, there’s adequate room for people and luggage in the all-new Kicks. Plus, there’s always some stitched leatherette and piano black trim to up the ambience of this interior a bit more.

The top-end SL trim of the 2021 Nissan Kicks comes loaded with many features. Some of the best ones to take note come in the form of remote engine start with keyless entry & go, automatic headlights, power-folding wing mirrors, cruise control, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay compatibility, a 6-speaker Bose UltraNearfield audio system, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery.

Ensuring everyone’s safety onboard the 2021 Nissan Kicks are features like ABS with EBD, 10 airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control System, Hill-Start Assist, Automatic Brake Hold, Intelligent Trace Control, Intelligent Driver Alertness, Rear Door Alert, ISOFIX anchors, and parking sensors with a 360-degree camera.

Powerplant and performance of the 2021 Nissan Kicks

In the Middle East, all variants of the 2021 Nissan Kicks come with a 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine. Equipped with double overhead cams along with Nissan’s Continuous Variable Valve Timing Control System, this four-popper puts out 118hp and 155Nm of torque. The powerplant also comes paired with the brand’s new D-Step Xtronic CVT gearbox as standard, too. However, the Kicks takes around 11 seconds to hit 100 kmph, which is quite slow. Thankfully, the saving grace here might be its impressive fuel economy of 7.1 L/100 km or 14 kmpl.

Verdict

The all-new 2021 Nissan Kicks has plenty going for it: an affordable price tag, a decent-looking exterior, a comfortable cabin, a rich features list, and great fuel economy. Overall, while it may be slow and the interior has been carried over from the previous model, the new Kicks is still a good car.