Nissan Kicks I (P15) photos

The first-generation Nissan Kicks subcompact five-door crossover, carrying the internal designation P15, made its debut in 2016 ahead of the Rio Summer Olympics and quickly expanded from a Latin American project into a global volume model sold across over eighty countries. Built primarily on the front-wheel-drive Nissan V-platform shared with the Micra and Versa—while a distinct regional derivative coded D15 utilized the rugged B0 platform specifically for the Indian market—the P15 stepped in to replace the polarizing and cramped first-generation Juke in North America by offering a far more conventional roofline, generous rear passenger legroom, and class-leading cargo capacity. Exterior styling combined the brand's signature V-Motion grille with a floating roof aesthetic and available two-tone paint schemes aimed at urban buyers. Depending on the region, powertrains centered around naturally aspirated inline-four petrol engines, most notably the 1.6-liter HR16DE in the Americas and the 1.5-liter HR15DE in Asian markets, paired with either a five-speed manual gearbox or an Xtronic continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels. Beginning in 2020, Japan and select Southeast Asian markets also received the series-hybrid e-Power powertrain, which utilizes a 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol engine solely as an onboard generator to feed an electric traction motor, delivering EV-like responsiveness and exceptional city fuel economy, with an optional electric all-wheel-drive variant (e-Power 4WD) available in Japan. A comprehensive mid-cycle facelift introduced across global markets between 2020 and 2021 brought an enlarged Dual V-Motion front grille, sleeker LED headlamps, updated rear combination lamps connected by a light bar, an upgraded infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and broader availability of the Nissan Safety Shield 360 driver-assistance suite. Following the debut of its successor in 2024, the P15 remained in production for select American markets badged as the Nissan Kicks Play.