Nissan Kicks Gets a Second Wind: Japan's Hybrid SUV Is Due for a Reinvention
Japan's Nissan Kicks may switch to a second generation in June–July 2026, this time with a third-gen e-POWER hybrid and a redesigned look built for the home market.
The Nissan Kicks is on the verge of a major overhaul in Japan. The model, sold there only as an e-POWER hybrid since 2020, could move to a new generation as soon as June or July 2026. For Nissan it is an important launch: the current Kicks trails the Toyota Yaris Cross and Honda Vezel noticeably, even though it plays in the same compact SUV segment.
The global second-generation version was already shown in North America back in 2024. There the Kicks grew larger: 4,366 mm long, 1,801 mm wide and around 1,630 mm tall. The car has wider fenders, fresh lighting, a new cabin with 12.3-inch displays, Zero Gravity seats for every passenger and a slim panoramic roof. But the Japanese Kicks, it seems, will not be a simple copy of the American version.
According to dealers, a revised design is being prepared for the domestic market so the car does not look like a model arriving two years late. On top of that, the Japanese version is expected to be built at the Oppama plant, which effectively makes it a separate adaptation.
The key difference — the powertrain. In North America the new Kicks comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine making 141 hp and 190 N·m. For Japan a third-generation e-POWER is expected. That format is more familiar to the local market: the petrol engine works as a generator, while an electric motor drives the wheels. In the city it delivers a smoother launch and an EV-like feel without the need to plug in.
Nissan is counting on cabin quality, equipment and the new look to justify the difference. The old Kicks was often criticised for its plain design and budget feel — the new one is meant to remove exactly that barrier. In the compact SUV segment, buyers are no longer willing to forgive a weak interior just for an economical hybrid: there are simply too many strong rivals nearby.