Nissan Kicks Hybrid Caught Testing in Southern Europe
A camouflaged prototype of what appears to be the 2025 Nissan Kicks hybrid has been spotted undergoing road tests in southern Europe. This sighting has sparked speculation about Nissan’s plans to expand the Kicks lineup with an electrified variant.
The current Nissan Kicks, recently launched in the United States, is powered by a conventional 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 143 horsepower. It’s available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, paired exclusively with an Xtronic automatic transmission.
However, the heavily disguised test mule seen in Europe suggests that Nissan is developing a hybrid version of the Kicks. This move aligns with the Japanese automaker’s broader electrification strategy, which has seen the implementation of its e-Power hybrid technology in models like the Qashqai and X-Trail.
The introduction of a hybrid powertrain for the Kicks would not only expand the model’s powertrain options but could also pave the way for its potential launch in the European market. Europe’s stringent emissions regulations and growing demand for electrified vehicles make a hybrid Kicks a logical addition to Nissan’s lineup in the region.
While details about the hybrid system remain under wraps, it’s likely that Nissan will adapt its e-Power technology for the compact SUV. The e-Power system uses a gasoline engine primarily as a generator to charge a battery, which then powers an electric motor driving the wheels.
Nissan has not officially confirmed the Kicks hybrid, but these spy shots suggest that development is well underway. Auto industry analysts expect the electrified Kicks to make its debut sometime in 2024 as a 2025 model year vehicle.
As the automotive landscape continues to shift towards electrification, the addition of a hybrid Kicks would strengthen Nissan’s position in the competitive compact SUV segment and help the company meet increasingly strict global emissions standards.