Nissan Kicks e-Power buyer's guide: is the RM8,000 jump from VL to VLT worth it?

Have you ever imagined an ownership experience like this: driving out every day to the surreal, seamless acceleration of a pure electric vehicle, yet never having to plan charging stops or scramble for EV chargers in shopping mall basements.

When it is time to refuel, you simply pull up to a petrol pump just like any conventional car, fill up, and drive off in three minutes.

The Nissan Kicks e-Power is built precisely for this.

Its 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine serves only one purpose—to generate electricity. The wheels are driven purely by an electric motor delivering 136 hp and 280 Nm.

The moment you step on the throttle, you are met with the instantaneous torque typical of an EV, free from gear shift shocks and turbo lag. With a 41-litre fuel tank, it delivers a driving range of around 900 km on a full tank.

The 2026 Nissan Kicks e-Power is available in Malaysia with two variants: the VL at RM113,800 and the VLT at RM121,800. That is an RM8,000 premium. Both variants share an identical powertrain, chassis, battery setup, and cabin space. That RM8,000 difference goes entirely into equipment and features.

Spec comparison

Note: Bold indicates superior specifications.

How Nissan's e-Power hybrid system works

Many are puzzled when first encountering e-Power: if the combustion engine does not drive the wheels, what is it there for? The answer is straightforward: it acts purely as an on-board generator.

The 1.2-litre petrol engine (82 hp / 103 Nm) runs to generate electricity, which is channelled either directly to the electric motor or stored in the 2.1 kWh battery pack. The driven wheels receive power solely from the 136 hp / 280 Nm electric motor at all times.

Behind the wheel, the drive feels indistinguishable from a full EV. Take-off is immediate, power delivery remains completely linear, regenerative braking engages smoothly off-throttle, and the petrol unit cuts out at traffic stops, keeping the cabin eerily quiet. The only distinction: you never have to plug it in to charge.

With an official fuel consumption of 21.7 km/L, cruising range reaches around 900 km per tank. Annual road tax is just RM85—practically pocket change.

VL: RM113,800

The VL trim is well-appointed: LED headlights and daytime running lights, Auto High Beam, 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, single-zone automatic climate control, fabric upholstery, a reverse camera, standard cruise control, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Driver Attention Alert.

Safety is well sorted too, with seven airbags as standard—including dual front, side, curtain, and a driver's knee airbag. It carries a 5-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating with an overall score of 86.93 points.

The VL misses out on only three key active features: adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera.

VLT: What the extra RM8,000 adds

First, Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC). The VL's standard cruise control only holds a pre-set speed, requiring manual braking when traffic slows down. The VLT upgrades to adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality—an absolute game-changer on Malaysian highways and during peak-hour traffic crawls.

Second, Blind Spot Warning. While the Kicks' 1,813 mm width offers manageable outward visibility, having dedicated visual alerts in the side mirrors gives extra reassurance when changing lanes.

Third, Intelligent Around View Monitor (360-degree camera). While the VL settles for a reverse camera, the VLT provides full surround-view coverage. In a compact 4,384 mm crossover, navigating narrow parking bays becomes effortless without second-guessing your clearance.

Fourth, Intelligent Rearview Mirror. Projecting a real-time feed from a rear-mounted camera, it ensures an unobstructed rearward view even with a full complement of passengers or cargo stacked to the roof.

Fifth, upgraded upholstery. The VL's fabric seats are replaced by a striking two-tone brown and black leather finish, substantially lifting the perceived cabin quality.

The VLT also offers a two-tone exterior variant featuring a contrasting black roof, priced at RM125,800—representing a RM4,000 premium over the standard VLT.

Cabin space

Boot space stands at a generous 423 litres, beating the Honda HR-V's 335 litres by 88 litres—a practical advantage easily appreciated during weekly grocery runs and road trips.

The 60:40 split-folding rear seats fold down for bulkier items. Cabin storage is well thought out, featuring a lower centre console cubby, spacious door bins, and a practical glove compartment.

Warranty & servicing costs

The vehicle is covered by a 5-year/100,000 km manufacturer warranty, alongside a dedicated 8-year/160,000 km warranty for the e-Power system (covering the battery, inverter, electric motor, and control unit).

The e-Power warranty is strictly subject to the 160,000 km cap, whichever comes first.

Service intervals are set at 6 months or 10,000 km. Estimated regular maintenance over the first 5 years or 100,000 km totals around RM3,624, translating to roughly RM362 per service visit—placing running costs among the lowest in its class.

PDRM police fleet testing

In August 2026, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) handed over two units of the Kicks e-Power to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for a two-month proof-of-concept evaluation, testing its durability, efficiency, and capability in front-line operational duties.

While this pilot programme carries no binding procurement commitment, PDRM's willingness to put the vehicle through rigorous fleet assessment speaks volumes about its reliability, fuel economy, and everyday robustness—a reassuring endorsement for private buyers.

Verdict

Go for the VL (RM113,800) if:

Your driving is mainly confined to city commuting and short-distance errands, where adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring are not must-haves. The VL's comprehensive safety package—including seven airbags, AEB, Forward Collision Warning, and a reverse camera—already nails the essentials.

Pocketing the RM8,000 difference is enough to offset your first five years of routine maintenance, road tax, and insurance with change to spare. It remains the value pick of the range.

Opt for the VLT (RM121,800) if:

You are a regular on interstate highways, where Intelligent Cruise Control significantly reduces driving fatigue. You frequently encounter tight urban parking spots, where the 360-degree camera and Blind Spot Warning provide indispensable daily assistance. You also prefer the premium feel of leather seats and require the digital rearview mirror when ferrying passengers or loading the boot up to the roof.

If your budget permits, the VLT's additional kit easily justifies the premium over time.

The core appeal of the Nissan Kicks e-Power is its unique proposition: full EV driving dynamics, petrol-station refuelling convenience, and a 900 km range. Choosing between the VL and VLT does not come down to performance differences, but rather how much you value advanced driver aids and creature comforts.

We recommend test driving both back-to-back, paying close attention to the ICC and 360-degree camera in real-world traffic, to see if that RM8,000 step-up suits your driving needs.