by A new compact crossover, the Nissan Kait, has debuted in the Brazilian market. Essentially, it is an updated version of the previous generation Kicks model, which received a fresh name to extend its life cycle in Latin America.
New Life for an Old Platform
The second generation Nissan Kicks appeared in 2024, but its predecessor did not fade away. It was completely updated and introduced for the Latin American market under the name Kait. The car retained the familiar platform and dimensions but received a more modern design.
The original Kicks was introduced back in 2016. After the launch of the new generation, Nissan continued sales of the older model in some markets, for example in the USA under the name Kicks Play. In Latin America, the role of the affordable entry-level offering will now be performed by the Kait.
Updated Crossover Design
The new model has identical dimensions to the Kicks Play: length 4.30 m, width 1.76 m, and a wheelbase of 2.62 m. Although the silhouette and roofline remained the same, the car received sharper split LED headlights, a larger radiator grille with a protective false panel, and a more sculpted tailgate with slim rear lights.
The manufacturer has not yet revealed interior photos but promises a “good level of equipment,” “excellent space,” and a luggage compartment volume of 432 liters.
Technical Basis
The company states that the Kait is built on a “mechanical basis with proven efficiency and reputation.” This refers to the old Nissan V platform, which has been in use since 2010. Full technical specifications have not yet been disclosed, but local sources report the old naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine paired with a CVT transmission.
Sales and Production Plans
Sales of the Nissan Kait will begin first in Brazil this month, and later the model will become available in over 20 countries. Among the main competitors are the Volkswagen T-Cross, Fiat Pulse, Renault Kardian, Hyundai Creta, and Chevrolet Tracker.
Production of the car has already begun at the Nissan Industrial Complex plant in the city of Resende. This Brazilian plant was opened in 2014 and was recently modernized as part of an investment program worth 2.8 billion reals (approximately 525 million US dollars).
The Nissan Kait project uses Nissan’s global experience in developing off-road vehicles to integrate solutions that meet the needs of Latin American consumers, strengthening our participation in this competitive and growing segment. This is a car we have the honor to produce and sell first in Brazil and Latin America, and I am confident it will win the favor of customers across our region. It has inherited key elements of reliability, maintainability, and quality from our best-selling platform.
The strategy of renaming and updating old models for specific markets is a fairly common practice among global automakers. It allows extending the life cycle of a proven technical base, reducing costs, and offering buyers a more affordable product. For developing markets, such as Latin America, reliability, ease of maintenance, and an acceptable price are often higher priorities than the latest technologies. The success of the Nissan Kait will depend precisely on how successfully it manages to combine familiar, “undemanding” technical solutions with a modern exterior that meets today’s crossover design trends.
