Nissan looks at the Kicks as a cheaper small SUV for Australia

Key highlights

• Nissan Oceania says an entry-level SUV is needed to make its Australian line-up more accessible.
• The second-generation Kicks is already available in Japan with e-Power hybrid technology and optional all-wheel drive.
• The compact SUV could take on the Hyundai Kona and Chery Tiggo 4 if Nissan approves an Australian launch.

Nissan is considering adding a smaller, more affordable SUV to its Australian line-up, with the second-generation Nissan Kicks emerging as a potential candidate.

The compact SUV could give the Japanese brand a more accessible alternative to the Qashqai, which has become more expensive following its shift to hybrid-only powertrains. However, Nissan has yet to confirm whether the Kicks will make it to Australian showrooms.

Speaking about the possibility, Nissan Oceania CEO Steve Milette said the company was looking at options to fill the gap at the entry level of its range.

The comments suggest Nissan recognises the need for a more affordable SUV, particularly as budget-conscious buyers have more options from established brands and newer Chinese manufacturers.

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Nissan Kicks under consideration for Australia

Nissan has made it clear that the Kicks is one possible solution, although the company is not committing to the model just yet. Milette said the brand would like to bring the Kicks to Australia if it meets local requirements and can be made available, but stressed that the evaluation process was still at an early stage.

That means Australian buyers should not treat the comments as confirmation of a local launch. Nissan has not announced an Australian arrival date, specifications or pricing for the Kicks.

The second-generation Kicks, known by its P16 model code, was launched in Japan in June 2026. It is already produced in right-hand drive, which could make it a more practical candidate for Australia than a model requiring significant changes for local use.

The SUV is built at Nissan’s Oppama plant in Japan, rather than being sourced from Mexico or Thailand, as was the case with some versions of the previous-generation model.

Could the Kicks offer a cheaper alternative to the Qashqai?

Nissan’s Australian range has a gap for a smaller SUV positioned below the Qashqai, particularly after the latter moved to hybrid-only powertrains. As of October 2026, the Qashqai range starts with the ST-L e-Power at $45,850 before on-road costs, putting it at a considerable premium over several rivals in the small SUV segment.

The larger X-Trail starts at $38,305 before on-road costs, making the pricing structure of Nissan’s current SUV range somewhat unusual. The X-Trail is cheaper to enter than the smaller Qashqai.

A locally available Kicks could help address that gap by giving buyers another option below the Qashqai, although its eventual positioning would depend on the powertrain, equipment and pricing Nissan chooses for Australia. The company has not indicated how much an Australian version might cost, so any comparison with existing rivals remains speculative.

Nissan Kicks would face established small SUV rivals

If approved for Australia, the Kicks would enter a competitive segment that includes the Hyundai Kona and Chery Tiggo 4.

The Hyundai Kona Hybrid starts at $39,990 drive-away, while the Chery Tiggo 4 offers a lower-cost entry point with prices below $30,000. These prices provide useful context for the sort of competition Nissan would face, although individual grades and offers can differ.

A Kicks priced between these two rivals could give Nissan access to buyers who want a small SUV without stretching to the Qashqai. However, a higher price could make it harder to compete with value-focused alternatives.

Nissan would also need to consider how the Kicks fits alongside its existing models, rather than simply introducing another SUV into an already crowded range.

Japan-spec Nissan Kicks gets e-Power hybrid technology

In Japan, the latest Kicks is sold exclusively with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid system and is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on the variant.

Unlike a conventional hybrid, Nissan’s e-Power system uses a petrol engine to generate electricity, while an electric motor drives the wheels. This allows the vehicle to deliver an electric-motor driving experience without needing to be plugged in to recharge.

The Japanese range includes three trim levels, but Nissan has not confirmed which versions or equipment would be offered in Australia.

An e-Power version could provide an alternative for Australian buyers interested in electrified driving but not ready to switch to a fully electric vehicle. Its suitability for the local market would ultimately depend on pricing, efficiency, equipment and driving characteristics.

For now, the Nissan Kicks remains a possibility rather than a confirmed addition to Australian showrooms. Nissan has acknowledged the demand for a more affordable SUV, but buyers will need to wait for further details before knowing whether the compact hybrid will become part of the local range.