The small SUV will compete with the likes of the VW Tera, Fiat Pulse, and Renault Kardian in Latin America
The Nissan Kicks entered its second generation in 2024, but its predecessor has just been reborn in Latin America as the new Kait. Unveiled in Brazil, the subcompact SUV keeps a familiar silhouette and underpinnings, albeit with more modern styling.
The original Kicks was introduced in 2016 and received a facelift in 2021. After the debut of the new generation, Nissan kept offering it in certain markets, including the US, as the Kicks Play. In Latin America, that role is now handed over to the Kait that will serve as the new entry-level Nissan offering.
How To Freshen Up A Familiar Figure
The newcomer has an identical footprint with the Kicks Play, measuring 4.30 m (169.3 inches) long and 1.76 m (69.3 inches) wide, with a wheelbase of 2.62 m (103.2 inches). While the profile and greenhouse are carried over, the SUV gains sharper split LED headlights, a larger bumper intake with a skid plate, and a more sculpted tailgate flanked by slimmer taillights.
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Nissan hasn’t revealed the interior yet, but promises “a good level of equipment,” along with “excellent interior space” and a cargo capacity of 432 liters (15.4 cubic feet).
According to the company, the Kait rides on a “mechanical assembly with proven efficiency and reputation”. This is the old Nissan V Platform that has underpinned various models since 2010. Full specs remain undisclosed, but local reports suggest a carry-over naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine paired with a CVT gearbox.
Ready To Compete In South America
The Kait will launch first in Brazil later this month before expanding to more than 20 countries. Competitors include the VW Tera, Fiat Pulse, Renault Kardian, Hyundai Creta, and Chevrolet Tracker.
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Production is already underway at the Nissan Industrial Complex in Resende. The Brazilian plant was inaugurated in 2014 and has recently been upgraded as part of a R$ 2.8 billion (US$ 525 million) investment in the region.
Guy Rodríguez, president of Nissan Latin America said:
“The Nissan Kait project leverages Nissan’s global expertise in SUV development to integrate solutions that meet the needs of Latin American consumers, reinforcing our participation in this competitive and growing segment. It is a car that we are honored to produce and market first in Brazil and Latin America, and I am sure it will win over customers throughout our region. Inheriting the key elements of robustness, repairability, and quality from our best-selling platform”.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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