It is likely that Nissan Kicks will come to PH, here are first specs

(Editor's note: ASEAN NCAP has updated its report as of November 18, 2020, marking the Nissan Kicks as Not Sold [NS] for the Philippine market) 

The Nissan Kicks is coming to the Philippines, but you won’t be hearing it from the Japanese carmaker itself anytime soon. What’s this all about, you ask? The long-awaited follow-up to the Juke subcompact crossover has landed on the Thai market in its e-Power series hybrid guise, so it’s only a matter of time until the conventional engine version makes its way to other markets in Southeast Asia.

>>> UPDATE: Looks like the Nissan Kicks won’t be arriving here after all

Mum's the word for Nissan Philippines as far as the Kicks crossover is concerned

As it turns out, the Kicks has already undergone crash safety assessments with the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), and there’s a strong indication that we’re close to getting a Philippine-spec edition.      

The ASEAN NCAP crash test results give some very telling clues

Take note that this version is different from the slightly bigger Kicks sold in the Indian market. The ASEAN-spec Kicks garnered a weighted score of 86.93 on its tests, equivalent to a perfect five-star rating in ASEAN NCAP tests.

Models not sold in a particular country will have the fields marked as NS or Not Sold, as is the case for Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Malaysia. The results indicate that the Philippines will receive at least dual airbags for the Kicks, which means the country joins five other ASEAN territories as confirmed markets for the crossover.

>>> Related: Kicks e-Power vs Juke: Which small crossover should Nissan PH sell?

Nissan's crossover also scored high marks in child occupant protection 

Delving deeper into the ASEAN NCAP scores, the Kicks provided good adult front occupant protection from front and side impacts at 34.06 out of a maximum 36 points, although there was a risk of injury to the lower legs. Child occupant protection was also high at 40.70 out of a maximum 49 points, while safety assist technologies earned 13.57 out of 18 points.

Apart from the dual front airbags, the Philippine-spec Kicks will feature side and curtain airbags, presumably available on the upper-spec trims. Other optional equipment will include anti-lock brakes, seatbelt reminders for the front occupants, autonomous emergency braking, and a forward-collision warning system.

Another interesting bit is that the tested unit packed a 1.2L gasoline engine, which hints at the hybrid version making a Philippine appearance, or so we hope. 

We advise Filipino car buyers to be on the lookout for more clues

As of this writing, Nissan Philippines remains tight-lipped over pricing and other details on the potential arrival of the Kicks, so watch this space as further developments unfold.  

Keep up with more auto industry updates at Philkotse.com.