FULL REVIEW: 2023 Nissan Kicks e-POWER VL -- Your first step into the 'electric revolution'

Disclosure: Nissan Philippines kindly lent me a 2023 Nissan Kicks e-POWER VL for seven days. It was delivered with a full tank of fuel and loaded RFID cars. AutoFun Philippines paid for a carwash.

Prudence is a virtue that seems to be going the way of the dodo.

With social media constantly bombarding us on how we should live (largely from so-called “influencers,” many of whom are able to do what they do because they are “stealth endorsers” who get freebies and perks), thinking things through can be difficult to do.

Impulse is now the lifeblood of neoliberal capitalism – targeted ads, online shopping platforms and e-wallets form the perfect trifecta for a new generation of buyers with ever-shortening attention spans and a desire to consume effortlessly.

The concept of budol in online shopping is the perfect example – a Filipino dictionary defines budol as an act of cheating, swindling or double-crossing.

But the capitalists have cleverly repurposed this word to signify something that is not only worth seeking out, but also pleasurable (cue the budol sale or budol bundle).

Translate “Nabudol ako!” into English after you receive your piles of items from online shopping and you would utter “I have been cheated, swindled or double-crossed!” And yet, buyers seem to accept this statement as an inevitable and acceptable outcome in the pursuit of “great deals.”

This lack of prudence has certainly not yet reached the electric vehicle (EV) market in the Philippines.

A car is the second most expensive thing that a Filipino can own – and with incomes being gobbled up by ever-increasing prices, many are hesitant to be guinea pigs in still-new technology, despite the government’s incentives.

And then there’s the Nissan Kicks e-POWER, which runs and drives like an EV, but has been a surprise hit for the Japanese carmaker locally. What gives?

Cute yet superseded styling

The Kicks e-POWER is a subcompact crossover that goes up against the likes of the Toyota Yaris Cross, Honda HR-V and the GAC GS3 Emzoom.

Up front, you get large and very effective LED headlights that lead the eye to the huge, gloss-black front grille. The chrome accents further accentuate the car’s friendly face.

Down the side, this top-spec Php 1,539,000 VL model distinguishes itself by having a two-tone paint job, combining a black roof with a very fetching copper-orange body color.

Matte-black trim along the wheel arches and the bottom of the doors add a rugged flavor, while the two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels are distinct to the crossover.

The rear is where the Kicks e-POWER looks most striking – a steeply sloping rear windscreen and high-mounted, wraparound LED taillights give the car a more athletic appearance, which is nicely complemented by the pert lower bumper.

Overall, the Kicks e-POWER has a cute and friendly silhouette. But I think it’s starting to show its age, especially in light of more radical shapes from Toyota, Honda, and GAC Motor.

Practical but molded cabin

It’s the same story inside the Kicks e-POWER VL – a triumph of pragmatism over aesthetic appeal.

Yes, you do get black leather upholstery as standard, but the acres of hard plastic on the dashboard, door cards, and various other parts of the vehicle are among the reasons Filipinos are in awe of how plush the interiors of Chinese cars are.

There is also the rather spartan level of standard equipment – a top-spec GS3 Emzoom has a moonroof, an electric tailgate, electrically adjustable front seats, and other gadgets that really make you feel that you got more than you paid for.

Not quite so with this Nissan, especially with its rather lackluster 360-degree camera.

However, this Japanese crossover accomplishes what so many Chinese brands have not – having simple, segregated controls for all the car’s functions.

There’s no need to dive into 184 million submenus with the touchscreen to adjust the air-conditioning or change the radio station (Geely, MG, I’m looking at you).

In addition, the “Zero Gravity” front seats are supremely supportive and comfortable. And in true Nissan form, the climate control system is so effective that, at full blast, it could have my best friend Paulo (who I surmise is part polar bear) reach for his jacket. 

It seems that the Kicks e-POWER’s old air-con problems, which led to a recall that includes the Philippines, are happily long gone.

The crossover also offers plenty of room for four. However, a fifth passenger sitting in the middle of the rear seat may not be so comfortable, especially with the large central hump on the floor.

Finally, luggage space is generous at 470 liters with the rear seats up and 835 liters with the rear seats down. The low-load lip and the boxy shape of the cargo area make for easy hauling.

But I wish that the 60:40 split-folding rear seat folded flat for added practicality.

EV power and economy, no range anxiety

It’s on the go where this unassuming little Nissan roundhouse-“Kicks” the likes of the Yaris Cross hybrid and the HR-V Turbo.

The e-POWER system is a series hybrid, where the electric motor does all of the propulsion. The 1.2-liter inline-3 gasoline engine is just there to charge the 2.13-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, so you will never need to look for a charging station if the battery runs low.

Put another way, this little crossover goes like an EV – all 136 PS and the whopping 280 Nm of torque are yours from a standstill – without the understandable hassle of planning your routes and plotting your charging times. 

Even though I drive racing cars on the weekend, I found the Kicks e-POWER most amusing, providing more than sufficient punch for daily driving and overtaking.

And while some would argue that the Geely Coolray offers a bit more top-end grunt, I would trade that in a heartbeat for the Kick e-POWER’s stellar fuel economy. 

I got at least 14 km/l in the city (and that’s with heavy road congestion) and around 17 to 20 km/l on the expressway. Part of this is the useful EV Mode, which you can engage in stop-and-go traffic, all without sacrificing the air-conditioner’s performance.

Fun to drive

Yet another winning feature in the Kicks e-POWER’s arsenal is the impressive driving dynamics.

I must confess that the first time that I ever tried a Kicks e-POWER was at the Tarlac Circuit Hill racetrack. My racing student had lent me an all-stock unit that I happily drove at maximum attack, revealing to me its poised handling in seven hot laps.

Now that I’ve driven the Kicks e-POWER on public roads at normal speeds, I understand why. The springs and dampers are quite firm for a subcompact crossover, leading to manageable body roll and hardly any wobbling over undulations.

The brakes are also strong, albeit controlled by a spongy pedal. But because it’s a series hybrid, the regenerative braking isn’t quite as grabby as hybrids from Toyota or GWM.

And then there’s the e-Pedal Step, which is engaged in either Eco or Sport Mode. If you are astute with judging braking distances, you can drive the Kicks e-POWER like a bumper car (sans the bumping) by simply pressing or releasing the throttle.

I found the system so clever that I could even modulate the braking action with incremental movements of my right foot. But for those who want to do all the slowing down themselves, just put the little Nissan in Normal Mode.

Prudence without guilt

So, is the 2023 Nissan Kicks e-POWER VL yet another case of “impulse capitalism” dominating prudent judgment?

Certainly not – despite the model’s dated styling, stingy standard equipment and plasticky cabin, the Nissan e-POWER drivetrain is perhaps the finest hybrid system in the market, as of press time.

It effectively bridges the gap between fuel-thirsty internal combustion engines and clean (but relatively young) EVs.

In fact, I wish Nissan Philippines would introduce more e-POWER models, such as the X-Trail crossover and the Elgrand van, so that more people can enjoy the wonders of electrified mobility. And that’s on top of the battery-electric models that it is already selling, such as the Nissan LEAF.

EVs will inevitably form a huge part of the Philippine mobility landscape, especially with the government’s target to only sell brand-new EVs locally by 2040.

The Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry also includes plans for a nationwide charging network and additional incentives for EV buyers.

But for more prudent car buyers, the Kicks e-POWER can start you off in the “electric revolution” right now. And with prices beginning at Php 1,239,000, this electrified crossover won't have us say "Nabudol ako!"

Did you enjoy this review? Give it five stars now below!