Value Menu: Nissan Slaps a Low Price on 2018 Kicks

Replacing the toenails-for-turn-signals Juke, Nissan created the Kicks and has been showing it off for some time now. Scheduled to appear on dealer lots later this spring, the company has been mum on pricing, no doubt in an effort to not show its hand in the murderously competitive subcompact crossover segment.

The Canadian arm of the company apparently has no such concerns, releasing pricing details this morning for that market. Safe to say, Nissan is angling for the budget crown, as its base price of $17,995 undercuts its competitors in the land of maple syrup and hockey sticks.

Three familiar trims will comprise the front-drive-only Kicks family, from base S to volume-leader SV and sport-themed SR. I say “themed” because the same powertrain team is offered across the board: a 1.6-litre DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder making 125 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque. Hooked to the company’s Xtronic transmission, highway fuel economy is rated at 35 mpg.

“The new Kicks is designed to fit the needs of singles or couples looking for expressive styling, personal technology, smart functionality and advanced safety features at an affordable price starting under $18,000 CAD,” said Scott Pak, a senior manager in product planning at Nissan Canada.

Emergency braking and a rear-view monitor will be available on all Canadian trims, as are seven airbags and an infotainment system featuring the latest toys. While American content levels haven’t officially been released, a quick perusal of Kicks propaganda on that country’s Nissan website reveals a promise of similar equipment.

It’s natural to assume that any new car will be cheaper in America, but Nissan has a history of bucking that norm. The 370Z, which is in production for its 342nd year, stickers at $29,998 in Canada and $29,990 in the States. Content levels and powertrain options are all but identical. With this in mind, your humble author thinks the Canadian price point is a reasonable ballpark for the American Monroney, as well.

If so, it would certainly undercut its rivals. Like-for-like, the Kicks price is $2,000 less than the base Qashqai Rogue Sport, a machine advertised for $19,995 in the Great White North. Customers stateside see an MSRP of $22,110. Perhaps they’re paying extra for a name that is not inscrutable.

At other showrooms in Canada, customers will pay more for similarly sized machines. The alarming Toyota C-HR starts at $24,750, while a base EcoSport will hack your life for $22,099. If that pricing gulf carries over to America, there’s every reason to think the Kicks will post strong sales numbers and take a piece of the subcompact crossover pie in short order. Its non-alien styling will probably help, too.

Canadians will be able to get their Kicks in June. We’ll keep our ear to the ground for American pricing.

[Images: Nissan]