Nissan India has introduced a more affordable variant of the diesel Kicks at Rs 9.89 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India). The new base version, called the XE, is about Rs 1.2 lakh cheaper than the previous base version – the XL. The XE trim will only be available with Renault-Nissan’s ubiquitous 1.5-litre K9K diesel engine.

As for the rest of the diesel range, the XL and XV versions have been updated with more equipment, accompanied by a hike of about Rs 24,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively. Interestingly, however, the top two versions have been consolidated into one variant – the XV Pre – which gets all the features of the previous top-spec version at a price that’s almost Rs 1 lakh cheaper.  

Along with the standard 2-year warranty, Nissan now offers the 3-year extension at no extra cost.

In terms of equipment, the new base Kicks XE variant gets nearly all the features and safety kit that was previously offered on the Kicks XL – dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, rear parking sensors, automatic climate control with a rear AC vent, a 2-DIN audio system that comes with Aux, USB and Bluetooth connectivity and four speakers, and a cooled glove box, are standard. Interestingly, the Japanese brand is also offering the NissanConnect technology pack as standard with the base variant that makes over 50 connectivity features available to the buyer.

The Kicks XL has been updated with Vehicle Dynamic Control (which includes traction control and electronic stability control), 17-inch alloy wheels (up from the 16-inch steel wheels on offer earlier), front fog lamps, roof rails, steering-mounted audio controls, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, and an Eco driving mode to save fuel.

The mid-spec Kicks XV comes with added features in the form of LED projector headlamps, cruise control, hill-start assist, keyless entry and go, power folding and adjustable wing mirrors and two tweeters.

The top-spec XV Pre gets features like automatic headlamps and wipers, cornering lamps, side airbags (bringing the total airbag count to four), black-brown dual-tone interiors, leather seats and dashboard trim and a rear fog lamp. As with the previous top-spec trim, dual-tone exterior colour options are only available with the XV Pre.

The Kicks is also available with a 106hp, 1.5-litre petrol engine that continues to be on offer in the XL and XV trims; the features and prices, however, remain the same – the base petrol Kicks XL costs Rs 9.55 lakh while the petrol XV retails at Rs 10.95 lakh.

With the new base XE and the variant rationalisation, the entry-level as well as top-spec variant are now Rs 1 lakh cheaper than before. With this price correction, the company is aiming to rev up interest in the Kicks, which has so far seen a slow start, despite being a fairly capable vehicle. What will also help is that, with a starting price below Rs 10 lakh, the XE will benefit from lower taxes in many states in India, making the on-road prices significantly lower.

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