2019 Nissan Kicks launched: What else can you buy?

Nissan’s new strategy has kicked off with the introduction of the Kicks in the Indian car market. The first of the many products planned for India, the Kicks’ performance will underline the future of Nissan in India and hence the pricing has been spot on. The Kicks is being marketed as a premium crossover SUV and Nissan has positioned it right beside the segment-leader, the Hyundai Creta.

The entry-level petrol variant starts at Rs 9.55 lakhs, and it is based on the updated M0 platform which also underpins the Captur. At almost 4.4 metres, it is one of the longest cars in its segment and is powered by the 1.5-litre engine that is already performing in the Duster as well as the Terrano. At this price, you can also opt for top-spec compact sedans or even premium hatchbacks with all the bells and whistles rather than settling for a spartan-looking big car.

At a shade under Rs 11 lakhs (ex-showroom), you can either opt for the top-spec petrol (which is only the XV trim) or the entry-level XL diesel. At this price point, if you do not really need a big SUV, you could opt for the top-spec trims of sub-four metre SUVs like the Nexon, Ecosport or the WR-V which come laden with features.

The XV diesel comes in at Rs 12.5 lakhs and quite a few C-segment sedans like the Volkswagen Vento, the Skoda Rapid, the Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, all diesel, will fall within that budget and will have a lot more equipment. In case of the Honda City, you would only be able to afford an equivalent petrol though.

For the price of the XV Premium and Premium+, at Rs 13.65 lakhs and Rs 14.65 lakhs respectively, you can instead choose the big-fat people movers like the Tata Hexa or the XUV500. Buyers looking for something rugged would do well to consider the Mahindra Scorpio with its all-wheel drive. At this price range, you are not too far away from the D-segment sedans, most of which will have some offer of sorts to get them off the shelf at the earliest.