UPDATE: You can now read our first review of the 2018 Nissan Kicks
Originally created for the South American market and recently greenlighted for production there, the compact Nissan Kicks crossover is being considered for sale in the U.S. as well. Speaking to the industry journal WardsAuto, Nissan North America’s vice president of product planning Michael Bunce admitted the Kicks – which is nearly seven inches longer and has a 3.6-inch longer wheelbase than the current Juke – also could find a place in the North American lineup at some point in the future. Should that happen, the Kicks would go head to head with a host of new small CUVs like the Chevy Trax, Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade while providing the automaker with a sharp looking but more-affordable entry into one of the fastest-growing vehicle segments. That possibility also raises interesting questions about the future of the next Juke.
Also: Class of 2016 — New Cars Ready to Roll
Presented as a pure concept at the 2014 Sao Paolo Auto Show and most recently resurfacing in a production-ready form, the Nissan Kicks is an “urban crossover inspired by the streets of Brazil.” Its styling reflects a global collaboration that incorporated key input from Nissan Americas’ Rio de Janeiro studio and blends practical elements with a unique design sense. While Nissan has not publically confirmed any mechanical details on this B-segment CUV, the Kicks is believed to have the same 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine used in the Juke and will likely offer front or all-wheel drive.
More Subcompact SUVs and Crossovers…
