Get Yer Kicks: Nissan's Latest Utility Vehicle Will Soon Be Its Tiniest

The dubious long-term sales potential of the subcompact crossover segment isn’t swaying Nissan from introducing a B-segment vehicle in the United States. The automaker’s seventh utility vehicle, carrying the youthful name Kicks, debuted at the L.A. Auto Show today.

The Kicks is the only way Americans can take home any part of a Nissan Micra, as the diminutive crossover rides atop a second-generation version of that vehicle’s platform. The first-generation platform, you’ll recall, underpinned the funky Nissan Juke. That model, known for its polarizing styling, isn’t long for this world.

In its place, the Kicks offers slightly larger dimensions and — most importantly — safe and modern styling.

Everything about the Kicks seems designed to lure young, urban, tech-obsessed Millennials to the brand’s utility lineup, where Nissan hopes they’ll stay (and one day purchase a Rogue Sport, Rogue, Pathfinder, Murano, and Armada). The model’s anything but America-focused, however. It first went on sale in overseas markets in 2016.

When it arrives next June as a 2018 model, the Kicks faces no shortage of competition. The Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-3, Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, and Toyota C-HR lie in wait to challenge the new Nissan for subcompact sales.

In terms of abilities, the Kicks, which stretches just over half a foot longer than the Juke, boasts more ground clearance than some of its competitors (7.0 inches), but comes only in front-wheel drive. It’s available in eye-catching colors, and its blacked out C-pillar and roof is in keeping with current design trends, both corporate and industry-wide. Viewed from either the side or front, there’s Nissan cues everywhere. There’s also five available two-tone colour combinations, with the roof coming in white, orange, or black, depending on your preference.

Naturally, there’s lower bodyside and wheel arch cladding aplenty. Combined with the model’s generous ground clearance, the plastic trim gives the Kicks enough of a butch stance to avoid a “cute ute” label.

The only available engine won’t set any speed records, but should be adequate for a vehicle of this size. In this application, Nissan’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder makes 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque. When combined with the only available transmission, an Xtronic continuously variable unit, Nissan predicts a combined fuel economy figure of 33 miles per gallon.

Befitting of a youth-targeted model, the base Kicks S arrives with decent content. Automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and a rearview monitor come standard, as does roof rails, intelligent auto headlights, and Bluetooth. Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC) and hill-start assist helps base model drivers avoid getting into trouble.

Of course, if you’re looking for the two most popular driver’s aids — blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert — you’ll need to step up to the midrange SV model. That trim also adds Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a proximity key. The SR is the sportiest Kicks variant, adding go-fast appearance bits like a rear spoiler and body color bumper inserts, LED headlight bling, and a more colorful interior. Besides the addition of 17-inch wheels (the SV gets the same), SR buyers receive a more stable ride thanks to Nissan’s Integrated Dynamic-Control Module.

Like Toyota’s C-HR, it’s assumed that sporty Kicks drivers won’t want for more power.

Pricing remains a mystery for now. However, Nissan claims its price points (scheduled for publication next spring, just prior to launch) will be “among the most competitive in the segment.” It wouldn’t be a Nissan it there wasn’t some sort of value proposition.

[Images: Nissan]