We Drove The Nissan Kicks e-POWER To Melaka And The Experience Was Totally Unique

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A few months ago, Nissan invited us to experience their e-POWER technology first-hand, giving us a deeper understanding of its innovative drivetrain. We were highly impressed by the car's powerful performance, which remained remarkably silent on the road.

The Nissan Kicks e-POWER SUV is the brand's all-new upcoming electric-powered model, capable of achieving driving ranges of up to 900km on a single tank of petrol. Yes, you read that right — the Kicks e-POWER is driven by an electric motor powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine. This innovative system maximises energy efficiency, allowing the car to achieve significantly extended ranges compared to standard petrol-powered cars.

We were given the opportunity to drive to the car to Melaka for a two-day trip, opening us to opportunities to experience the Kicks e-POWER on different roads such as city driving, back roads, as well as highways.

Powered by a 2nd Generation e-POWER drivetrain, the Kicks delivers over 129bhp (95kW or 129PS) and 280Nm of torque, effortlessly propelling it to a top speed of 180km/h. Despite its commanding presence on the road, the car accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 9.5 seconds. In essence, the Kicks SUV offers top-notch performance.

The 2.1kWh battery is paired with a 1,198cc petrol engine, which generates electricity for the integrated inverter-motor unit. Keep in mind that the petrol engine is used solely to generate electricity, not to drive the vehicle.

With a fuel economy of 21.7km per litre and a fuel tank of 41 litres, the car can reach up to 900km of range.

The morning began gloomy, with gray clouds hanging overhead. As we stepped into the flagship showroom, a row of Nissan Kicks e-POWER SUVs were lined up, ready for the flagoff. However, as we started to acquaint ourselves with the car, the skies opened up, and heavy rain poured down. Thankfully, that didn’t stop our flagoff.

As we left the Nissan showroom, the EV characteristics of the car became immediately apparent. The instant power from the e-POWER drivetrain made taking off from traffic lights a breeze. The car effortlessly handled its weight, making lane merging and finding space on the road a breeze as well, since it could quickly manoeuvre into gaps.

While EVs are known for their regenerative braking, which is similar to engine braking — the sensation you feel when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal — the Kicks' regenerative braking felt seamless and natural. We could even say that the EV drove like a petrol-powered car. This made city driving a single-pedal affair, with the brakes reserved for emergency manoeuvres.

As we headed to Seremban for a quick stop, the highways opened up, giving us the chance to experience what it’s like driving the Nissan Kicks e-POWER electric SUV at full power.

We were advised to try out Sport Mode, which sharpens throttle response and increases regenerative braking. Initially, we thought the car had plenty of low-end power but might struggle at higher speeds — we couldn't have been more wrong. The Kicks managed to accelerate smoothly from 100km/h to around 140km/h without any issues, proving itself to be a capable SUV in both urban and highway driving.

The increased regenerative braking meant that we only had to lift our foot off the accelerator pedal. This simple change reduced driving fatigue, allowing us to focus more on the road.

Since we were driving at highway speeds, we could hear the petrol engine kicking in ever so slightly but never more than a hum in the background. Once again, it felt very natural and intuitive, much like driving a petrol-powered vehicle at home.

Instead of rejoining the highway, our convoy opted to tackle the journey through the back roads — or better known as jalan kampung — as we were keen to explore the handling and stability of the Kicks e-POWER SUV.

Fortunately, we weren't foreign to the concept of speed, therefore, we took this opportunity to enjoy a spirited drive through the back roads.

Shifting the gear selector from 'D' to 'B' allowed us to harvest more energy through even higher regenerative braking. This meant we didn’t have to brake as much to navigate the twisty B-roads. Additionally, it provided the added benefit of less wear on the brake pads.

As we navigated the twisty B-roads, the Kicks excelled at taking sharp bends and sweeping curves. Not once did we feel out of control — that's how stable the car was through the twists and turns. Combined with the instantaneous power from the e-POWER drivetrain, it felt like we were driving a purebred petrol-powered sports car down winding roads.

Once we reached the quaint town of Lubok Cina, we switched to Eco Mode and took a relaxed drive through the back roads of Melaka. After experiencing Sport Mode for a significant stretch of the journey, we can confidently compare the two modes and safely say that the car remained responsive even in Eco Mode.

Throughout the spirited six-hour drive from the Nissan flagship showroom in Petaling Jaya to our destination in Melaka, we never once felt range anxiety, despite driving an EV. To clarify, the Kicks is purely driven by electricity, and its driving characteristics reflect that of an EV. However, the addition of the petrol-powered engine — or generator, in this case — completely changes the landscape for the EV market.

If you're apprehensive about the lifestyle changes that come with owning an EV, such as charging concerns and range anxiety, the Kicks e-POWER SUV proves to be the perfect gateway car for experiencing electric mobility without requiring significant adjustments to your lifestyle.

It cannot be emphasied enough that you should really take the Nissan Kicks e-POWER SUV for a test drive to completely understand how unique the car is and how it may shake the Malaysian EV market.