Is it worth to spend on Nissan Kicks over Mitsubishi ASX?

It’s no surprise that UAE has always been a market for big and staunch SUVs. With ample of road space to manoeuvre, relatively cheap fuel, and sense of safety that sports utility vehicles bring to the table no wonder why they are preferred in this part of the world. However, not everyone is blessed to afford them.

But then you have compact SUVs that have made their way into the market enabling middlemen to enjoy the robustness as well as the comfort of an SUV. In our plot, we have two such crossovers, Nissan Kicks and Mitsubishi ASX. While the latter has been around for a while, the former is yet to make a mark in the UAE automobile market.

Let’s see if the new Nissan Kicks has what it takes to overshadow the Mitsubishi ASX.

Design

Though this aspect of comparison is subjective we have a little say on this. The Nissan Kicks is a sub-compact FWD SUV based on the Juke platform and a lot bigger than the Juke. It gets some of the fascinating features that help it stand out. The overall styling is very distinctive and its unique floating roof design along with the wraparound visor look, it grabs attention in one go.

The Mitsubishi ASX, on the other hand, gets pleasing proportions and sharp character lines but a front fascia that looks a bit overdone. Although it lends the car a robust and an aggressive appeal but for us, it is just more than what it should be.

Interior and tech

 

The Nissan Kicks gets a quite basic interior, with lots of hard plastic and moderate dash design. Nothing inside the cabin looks expensive, though it all looks well laid out. The plastic quality is quite good. It has a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel with audio and tel controls. The stitching on the leather seats adds a bit of visual flair. Additionally, the Nissan Kicks specifications include features like 7-inch colour touch display with navigation, 7-inch TFT display meter, auto climate control, rear view camera, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, 2DIN audio system with Bluetooth, USB, AUX connectivity options and six speakers. The system comes with Nissan Connect as well.

There are enough legroom and headroom for the occupants to feel relaxed and comfortable. The 60:40 split folding rear seat feature allows you to convert the crossover into a versatile commuter that can equip anything you like, making it ideal for weekend escapes and beach outings with your family and friends.

The Mitsubishi ASX, alternatively, is a more modern crossover, with stylish dash design, centre console, three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls, illuminated ignition key cylinder, cruise control, auto climate control, leather seats and foldable split back (60:40). For your entertainment needs, it comes with a 2-DIN touch panel display audio, rearview camera, USB, Bluetooth hands-free and voice recognition functionality and four speakers.

Engine and performance

Across the range, the Kicks is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder, DOHC petrol engine that produces a max power of 120 PS and a peak torque of 149Nm, mated to D-Step CVT system. The automatic transmission ensures that every drop of fuel is utilized to the fullest while its lightweight design and advanced engine technologies act as catalysts in the process.

For the ASX, it’s the 2.0-litre DOHC MIVEC engine that takes care of the performance duties. A lot bigger than what the Nissan Kicks has at its disposal. The power mill is good enough for 150PS and is mated to the INVECS-III CVT that also features a Sports Mode, meant to offer effortless acceleration from ideally any speed. It is as punchy as you like and offers the fun of a manual gearbox with Sports Mode without the hassle of handling a clutch.

Handling

Riding the Kicks is a lot of fun, thanks to the advanced driving dynamics that leverage it to be thrown around the corners. It battles through the rough road surfaces with ease. Its light steering makes manoeuvring extremely easy in the city. However, at high speeds, light steering can be fidgety. Overall, the driving experience is superb and you can get all the thrills while you dash around the city in this little Nissan package.

The ASX gets the tuned suspension for a sporty driving experience that ensures rough roads are bypassed with ease and the crossover remains stable at all times. With extra power and an option to switch to Sports Mode, the Mitsubishi ASX is one of the toughest competitors to beat in today’s automotive world.

Safety

There is plenty on offer with the Kicks as far as safety is concerned. The list of features includes ABS with EBD, brake assist, dual front airbags, VSS alarm and engine immobilizer, ISOFIX child seat anchors, parking sensors, front and curtain airbags, traction control system, vehicle dynamic control and Nissan Intelligent Around View Monitor. These are distributed across the range and depends on the variant you choose.

The Mitsubishi ASX gets active stability control, 4ABS, EBD, brake assist, hill start assist, dual SRS airbags, parking sensors, engine immobilizer with security alarm, tire pressure monitoring system and 3-point ELR seatbelts with pretensioners. All of which are available as standard with the three ready-to-buy variants.

Pricing

The starting price you need to spare for the Kicks is AED 63,525 while for the Mitsubishi ASX, it is AED 67,095.

Verdict

We think both the models have their own pros and cons. While the ASX offers almost all features from its spec sheet as standard across the range especially the safety suite, the Kicks keeps the premiums for the higher end variants. We believe no car is perfect and can never be. However, considering all the facets and the Nissan Kicks price, it seems that the Kicks is a worthy option for someone looking for a budget crossover in the UAE market.