Verdict
The Nissan Kicks e-Power is the more rounded private-car choice at RM113,800, undercutting the Toyota Hiace by RM9,200 while bringing a 136 hp, 280 Nm electric motor, five seats and seven airbags. Its RM85 annual road tax is also far easier on the wallet than the Hiace’s RM835. The Hiace answers a different brief: its 2.5-litre turbodiesel produces 260 Nm from 1,600 rpm, drives all four wheels through a five-speed manual and carries a 70-litre tank. For passenger use, the Nissan’s safety and equipment advantage is decisive; for a two-seat commercial vehicle, the Toyota fits the job.
Pick the Nissan Kicks e-Power if you want five seats, seven airbags, a 136 hp electric motor and RM85 annual road tax for RM9,200 less.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need a two-seat commercial vehicle with all-wheel drive, a five-speed manual and 260 Nm from 1,600 rpm.
Key differences
- Price: Nissan Kicks e-Power RM113,800; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Road tax: Nissan Kicks e-Power RM85 per year; Toyota Hiace RM835 per year.
- Powertrain: Nissan Kicks e-Power has a 136 hp, 280 Nm motor and 2.1 kWh battery; Toyota Hiace has a 101 hp, 260 Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel.
- Driveline and transmission: Nissan Kicks e-Power is front-wheel drive with eCVT; Toyota Hiace is all-wheel drive with a five-speed manual.
- Safety: Nissan Kicks e-Power has seven airbags and stability control; Toyota Hiace has two airbags and no stability control.
- Seating and fuel tank: Nissan Kicks e-Power has five seats and a 41-litre tank; Toyota Hiace has two seats and a 70-litre tank.
Kicks e-Power
- RM9,200 cheaper with far lower RM85 annual road tax.
- Seven airbags, stability control, autonomous braking and collision warning.
- Five seats, 423-litre boot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Front-wheel drive versus the Hiace’s all-wheel drive.
- 41-litre fuel tank versus the Hiace’s 70 litres.
Hiace
- All-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission.
- 260 Nm turbodiesel torque arrives at 1,600 rpm.
- 70-litre fuel tank and full-size 15-inch steel spare wheel.
- Costs RM9,200 more and incurs RM835 annual road tax.
- Two airbags and no stability control, against seven airbags and stability control in the Kicks e-Power.
- Only two seats, versus five in the Kicks e-Power.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM113,800✓ | RM123,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | B-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM85✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 12-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,198 cc | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | 82 hp at 6,000 rpm | 101 hp at 3,600 rpm✓ |
| Torque | 103 Nm at 4,800 rpm | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 3 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | 78 mm × 83.6 mm | 92 mm × 93.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | 18.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 136 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 280 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 2.1 kWh | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | eCVT Automatic | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.5 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 21.7 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,384 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,813 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,610 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,673 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 41 litres | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 423 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 205/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 205/55R17 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Yokohama BluEarth E70 | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Thailand (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag) | 2 (Driver and Passenger) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three Point | 2 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflectors | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-fold | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | — |
| Audio | 7" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button Start | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activated | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years✓ | 3 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Kicks e-Power & Hiace for sale
Kicks e-Power vs Hiace FAQ
Is the Nissan Kicks e-Power or Toyota Hiace better?
The Nissan Kicks e-Power is better for private use, with five seats, seven airbags, stability control and a 136 hp electric motor. The Toyota Hiace is better only where its two-seat commercial layout, all-wheel drive and 70-litre tank suit the work.
What is the price difference?
The Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000, which is RM9,200 more than the Nissan Kicks e-Power at RM113,800. Its annual road tax is also RM835, compared with RM85 for the Nissan.
Which is safer, the Nissan Kicks e-Power or Toyota Hiace?
The Nissan Kicks e-Power is safer on its listed equipment: it has seven airbags, stability control, autonomous braking and collision warning. The Toyota Hiace has two airbags, ABS/EBD and no stability control.
