Nissan’s U.S. Dealers to Get Their Brazilian Kicks

LOS ANGELES – Nissan says it will bring its new Brazilian-built Kicks CUV, making its North American debut at the auto show here, to U.S dealers in June.

The B-segment Kicks represents the first new nameplate from the automaker in eight years and extends Nissan’s lineup in the growing CUV sector in the U.S. Although pricing won’t be announced until closer to its sales launch, the model is expected to be priced below Nissan’s Juke ($20,250), positioning it as the brand’s entry-level CUV and targeting such models as the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR.

“We are expecting (the Kicks) to be among the most competitive in the segment,” Dan Mohnke, senior vice president-Sales & Marketing and Operations for the Nissan Div., says in a release ahead of the model’s unveiling here.

Considered an urban CUV, not a real off-roader, the front-wheel-drive Kicks will come equipped with a 1.6L twin-cam 4-cyl. engine with continuously variable valve-timing control and capable of 125 hp and 115 lb.-ft. (156 Nm) of torque. It is mated with a Jatco-supplied CVT and is expected to deliver 33 mpg (7.1 L/100 km) city/highway combined.

The 5-passenger model measures 169.1 ins. (4,295 mm) in overall length and sits on a 103.1-in. (2,619-mm) wheelbase. It is 69.3 ins. (1,760 mm) wide.

Originally unveiled at the 2014 Sao Paulo auto show, the Kicks also features elements of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility technology suite, including standard automatic emergency braking and optional Intelligent Around-View Monitor camera that provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the vehicle’s exterior.

“This emerging CUV class is exploding with new entries for a very good reason – the combination of flexible utility and high value is ideal for active, urban new-vehicle buyers,” Mohnke says.

Nissan Kicks interior.

The ’18 Kicks will be offered in seven exterior colors plus five two-tone paint schemes and comes available with LED headlamps, heated outside mirrors and a rear roof spoiler. Inside is a 7.0-in. (18-cm) infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional is a new Bose sound system that includes new 2.5-in. (6.4-cm) neodymium speakers packaged inside the driver’s seat head restraint.

Although not available with all-wheel drive, the Kicks comes standard with traction control, vehicle dynamic control, hill-start assist and antilock brakes. Top-of-the-line SR sport models include Nissan’s Integrated Dynamic Control Module featuring active engine braking, active ride control and stability-enhancing active trace control.

Standard are 16-in. rims, with 17-in. aluminum wheels optional.

In addition to the SR trim, Kicks will be offered in base S and SV models. The step-up to the SV gets buyers blindspot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic temperature controls and more.

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