Hybrids Archives - The Business Sun https://thebusinesssun.com/tag/hybrids/ Business news for you Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:57:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Nissan Launches All-New Kicks in Japan With e-POWER Hybrid https://thebusinesssun.com/2026/06/18/nissan-launches-all-new-kicks-in-japan-with-e-power-hybrid/ https://thebusinesssun.com/2026/06/18/nissan-launches-all-new-kicks-in-japan-with-e-power-hybrid/#respond Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:57:23 +0000 https://thebusinesssun.com/?p=572 Nissan has launched the all-new Kicks in Japan, introducing third-generation e-POWER hybrid technology, e-4ORCE all-wheel control, and a redesigned compact SUV.

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Key Highlights

  • Nissan launched the all-new Kicks in Japan.
  • The second-generation model features third-generation e-POWER hybrid technology.
  • Nissan added e-4ORCE electric all-wheel control to the Kicks lineup for the first time.
  • The new Kicks combines SUV styling, improved fuel efficiency, and a higher-quality interior.
  • Prices range from 2,999,700 yen to 4,248,200 yen.

Introduction

Nissan has introduced the all-new Kicks in Japan, giving its compact SUV a sharper identity in one of the world’s most competitive auto markets. The redesigned model builds on the Kicks’ reputation for bold styling, smooth acceleration, and quiet driving by adding more advanced electrification technology and a more refined cabin. With third-generation e-POWER and the first-ever use of e-4ORCE in the Kicks family, Nissan is clearly positioning the new model as a key bridge between conventional compact SUVs and a more electrified driving future.

Nissan Launches the New Kicks in Japan

The all-new Nissan Kicks marks the second generation of the compact SUV in Japan. Nissan says the model is designed to suit both daily urban driving and outdoor leisure use, combining practicality with a more dynamic and upscale presentation.

This launch matters because the Kicks remains one of Nissan’s core models. It plays an important role in bringing the company’s electrification technologies to a wider range of customers without requiring a full battery-electric transition.

Third-Generation e-POWER Takes Center Stage

One of the biggest upgrades in the new Kicks is the introduction of Nissan’s third-generation e-POWER system. Nissan says this updated hybrid powertrain significantly improves fuel efficiency while maintaining the smooth and powerful acceleration that helped define earlier versions of the model.

That gives the Kicks an important advantage in a market where drivers increasingly want better efficiency without giving up familiar convenience. By improving the e-POWER system, Nissan strengthens the Kicks as an attractive option for buyers who want electrified performance without relying on charging infrastructure.

Kicks Adds e-4ORCE for the First Time

The all-new Kicks also introduces Nissan’s e-4ORCE electric all-wheel control technology for the first time in the model’s lineup. This addition enhances traction, stability, and overall driving confidence, especially in varied weather or road conditions.

That upgrade broadens the Kicks’ appeal. Instead of remaining only an urban compact SUV, the model now presents itself as a more capable option for drivers who want added control and versatility for weekend travel, longer drives, or more demanding routes.

New Design Gives the Kicks a Bolder Look

Nissan says the new Kicks features a bold and dynamic exterior design, continuing the SUV-like presence that helped the model gain strong customer support. At the same time, the company has upgraded the interior with a more premium and refined feel.

These changes matter because compact SUV buyers increasingly expect more than efficiency alone. They want design, comfort, and a stronger sense of quality. The new Kicks aims to deliver all three while keeping the compact footprint that makes the model practical in everyday use.

Nissan Positions Kicks as a Core Electrification Model

Akira Sugimoto, the executive responsible for Japan marketing and sales, described the Kicks as a core Nissan model that helps deliver the value of electrification technologies to more customers. That framing makes the Kicks more than just another product launch. It turns the model into part of Nissan’s larger effort to strengthen its identity around electrified mobility.

The company also emphasized design, driving performance, and comfort, suggesting that the Kicks aims to balance technical innovation with a more emotional and lifestyle-oriented appeal.

Price Range and Market Position

Nissan has priced the all-new Kicks between 2,999,700 yen and 4,248,200 yen. That places it in a competitive range for compact SUVs in Japan, especially those with advanced hybrid systems and added drivetrain technology.

The pricing suggests Nissan wants the Kicks to appeal to a broad middle segment of buyers looking for an electrified SUV with better efficiency, enhanced capability, and a stronger overall value proposition.

Why the New Kicks Matters for Nissan

The new Kicks arrives at a time when automakers face pressure to expand electrification without losing mainstream customers. Full EV adoption remains uneven across markets, which makes hybrid and electrified crossover models increasingly important. The Kicks gives Nissan a way to compete in that space with a product that feels modern, efficient, and practical.

For Nissan, that matters strategically. A model like the Kicks can help the company hold relevance in the transition period between traditional combustion vehicles and broader electric adoption.

Conclusion

The all-new Nissan Kicks gives the brand a stronger compact SUV for the Japanese market by combining updated design, better fuel efficiency, and more advanced electrification features. With third-generation e-POWER and first-time e-4ORCE all-wheel control, the model pushes further into the space between conventional hybrids and fully electric vehicles. For Nissan, the new Kicks is not just a redesign. It is a key product in the company’s effort to make electrified driving more appealing, more practical, and more accessible to everyday customers.

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