Split headlights signal a sharper visual identity for the compact crossover segment
Em Brooklyn, a Nissan revelou uma nova geração do Kicks que não é apenas uma atualização cosmética, mas um reposicionamento da marca no segmento de SUVs compactos — maior, mais conectado e com mais autonomia de condução. O lançamento reflete uma tendência mais ampla da indústria automobilística: a fronteira entre tecnologia e mobilidade se dissolve a cada novo modelo, e o carro urbano de entrada deixa de ser sinônimo de concessão. Para o Brasil, a chegada está prevista para 2026, com adaptações locais que revelam como um mesmo produto global se traduz de formas distintas conforme o mercado.
- A Nissan sentiu a pressão de um segmento cada vez mais disputado e respondeu com um Kicks mais agressivo em design, tecnologia e dimensões.
- A estreia no Barclays Center, em Nova York, marcou uma ruptura simbólica com a discrição da geração anterior — agora o modelo quer ser visto.
- Dois painéis de 12,3 polegadas, CarPlay e Android Auto sem fio, carregamento indutivo e o sistema ProPILOT Assist elevam o interior a um patamar inédito para o modelo.
- A tração integral inteligente, antes ausente, entra como opção e amplia o apelo do Kicks para quem busca segurança em condições adversas.
- No Brasil, consumidores terão de esperar até 2026, com motor 1.0 turbo tricilíndrico e produção nacional prevista para o segundo semestre de 2025.
A Nissan escolheu o Barclays Center, em Brooklyn, para apresentar ao mundo a segunda geração do Kicks, e a escolha do palco não foi acidental — o novo modelo chega com uma postura mais assertiva, trocando a contenção do antecessor por um design mais contemporâneo e uma lista de equipamentos que rivaliza com categorias superiores.
O SUV cresceu seis centímetros, chegando a 4,37 metros de comprimento, e ganhou faróis e lanternas bipartidos que renovam sua identidade visual sem abandonar a pintura bicolor que se tornou marca registrada do modelo. No mercado norte-americano, um motor 2.0 de quatro cilindros com 143 cavalos move o veículo, acompanhado de câmbio CVT.
O interior é onde a transformação mais se faz sentir: dois touchscreens de 12,3 polegadas, conectividade sem fio com Apple CarPlay e Android Auto, carregamento indutivo e quatro portas USB-C compõem um ambiente digital que contrasta com a simplicidade da geração anterior. O ProPILOT Assist, sistema de assistência semiautônoma para rodovias, e a tração integral inteligente opcional completam um pacote voltado tanto ao conforto quanto à segurança.
Para o Brasil, o calendário é diferente: o Kicks só chega em 2026, equipado com um motor 1.0 turbo tricilíndrico, enquanto a produção nacional deve começar no segundo semestre de 2025. O modelo será exibido ao público no Salão de Nova York, aberto entre 27 de março e 7 de abril, onde consumidores e entusiastas poderão ver de perto o que a Nissan preparou para os próximos anos.
Nissan pulled back the curtain on its second-generation Kicks at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Friday, March 22nd, unveiling a compact SUV that trades the modest restraint of its predecessor for something considerably bolder. The new model represents a meaningful step forward for the Japanese automaker's entry-level crossover segment, arriving with a sharper visual identity, more interior technology, and a longer wheelbase that promises greater interior space.
The numbers tell part of the story. The 2025 Kicks stretches to 4.37 meters in length—six centimeters longer than before—while maintaining a 2.66-meter wheelbase, 1.80-meter width, and 1.63-meter height. The design language has shifted noticeably: split headlights and taillights now anchor the front and rear, giving the vehicle a more contemporary appearance while preserving the two-tone paint scheme that has become the model's visual signature. For the North American market, Nissan has equipped the Kicks with a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 143 horsepower and 19.4 kilogram-force meters of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission.
Inside, the cabin has undergone a genuine modernization. Dual 12.3-inch touchscreens dominate the dashboard, both supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system includes inductive charging and four USB-C ports scattered throughout the cabin. Nissan has also added ProPILOT Assist, a semi-autonomous driving aid that uses intelligent cruise control to maintain lane position on highways, part of a broader suite of driver-assistance features aimed at improving safety and reducing fatigue on longer drives.
Perhaps the most significant addition for buyers prioritizing all-weather capability is the optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, a feature that Nissan says enhances traction and driver confidence. A panoramic sunroof rounds out the comfort upgrades. The North American version will arrive in dealerships by mid-2024, though Nissan has not yet announced pricing.
For Brazilian consumers, the timeline and specifications differ meaningfully. The new Kicks will not reach the South American market until 2026, and it will arrive with a different powertrain: a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine rather than the larger 2.0-liter unit destined for the United States. Domestic production in Brazil is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025, suggesting that Nissan is preparing its local manufacturing facilities well in advance of the official market launch. The vehicle will make its public debut at the New York International Auto Show, which opens on March 27th and runs through April 7th, giving journalists and enthusiasts their first chance to examine the redesigned crossover in person.
Citações Notáveis
The new Kicks revitalizes the small crossover segment with expressive design, confident driving experience, and enhanced technology— Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Director of Planning, Nissan Americas
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
Why does Nissan feel compelled to redesign the Kicks now? What's driving this investment?
The compact crossover segment is crowded and competitive. Nissan needed to signal that the Kicks wasn't aging out—that it could still appeal to buyers who want something modern without spending on a larger vehicle. The bolder design does that work.
The Brazilian version gets a smaller engine. Is that a cost decision, or something else?
Partly cost, but also market reality. Brazilian buyers in this segment have different expectations and price sensitivity than North American ones. The 1.0 turbo is proven technology there, and it keeps the vehicle accessible.
All-wheel drive on a budget crossover—that's interesting. Who does Nissan think is buying that option?
People who live in areas with unpredictable weather, or who want the psychological comfort of extra traction without jumping to a larger, more expensive vehicle. It's a small premium for peace of mind.
The two-tone paint is staying. That seems like an odd choice to preserve on a redesign.
It's actually smart. That paint scheme is what people recognize as a Kicks. Keeping it signals continuity while everything else signals change. You're not buying a completely different car—you're buying an evolved version of the one you know.
Why the two-year gap between North America and Brazil?
Manufacturing capacity and local market timing. Nissan is building new production lines in Brazil. They're not going to rush that. Better to get it right in 2026 than scramble in 2025.