It has been a couple of years since Nissan launched the Kicks e-Power, and it has, without a doubt, done very well. The price has also dropped by P30,000 since then, but the features still remain. I checked out what the VL top-of-the-line grade offers at P1.479 million.

After two years, and since seeing the second-generation model launched last year in the USA, the Stormtrooper look of the (white) first-gen Kicks e-Power suddenly feels old. Thankfully, the distinct and eye-catching Premium Corona Orange (exclusive to the VL) with the two-tone black roof still lets it stand out in traffic. If you have plans to get a variant of this color, I advise getting the exterior ceramic coating to preserve the sparkly finish.

If you're Googling images of its predecessor, don't get your hopes up just yet. The stateside version has no hybrid powertrain and uses a different platform. But it would be awesome if an update or the next-gen model in the PH would be sleeker, wider, and a bit longer for better aero efficiency and a roomier cabin. I also wouldn't mind a power tailgate in the future.

One of the things you will like about the Kicks e-Power is that most of its exterior features are standard across all trims. Aside from the two-tone exterior, what sets the VL apart are LED front fog lights and an auto on/off feature on the headlamps.

The body of the Kicks e-Power isn't the most stylish, but is functional. It has wide-opening doors that allow easy passenger ingress and egress and roof rails. However, I have yet to see somebody set up the roof to carry a significant load.

The cabin offers a reasonable amount of space for a subcompact crossover. Still, the best part about it is the Zero Gravity seats that help reduce fatigue during long drives or, in the case of city types, hours in traffic. The leather upholstery cools just a bit longer than the fabric in the VE and EL, but fortunately, the Nissan aircon lives up to its heritage.

A black synthetic leather trim gives the dashboard a padded surface to match the leather-wrapped flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel. Entertainment is courtesy of an eight-inch Nissan Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio with six speakers. It has wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth audio streaming. The front has a USB Type-A and Type-C port, while the second row offers two Type-A ports. Rear passengers will appreciate the roomy legroom, but if you need space for cargo, the 60/40 split-folding second-row seatback will come in handy.

It's the plain door panels that will need a facelift. The plastic it uses looks cheap, lacks style or shape, and sticks out like a sore thumb. What looks nice is the unique and shiny gear shifter that matches the center tunnel's glossy piano-black material.

The hybrid powertrain makes the Kicks E-Power so appealing to Filipinos, which means no 'number-coding.' All trim levels use an AC synchronous motor powered by a lithium-ion battery. The setup sends 136-PS and a healthy 280-Nm of torque to the front wheel via an automatic single-speed gear reduction transmission. As expected, the acceleration is swift and smooth because there aren't any gears to go through. You will be surprised how easily it climbs to 100 km/h, even in Eco mode. The e-Pedal makes driving easier and extends the life of your brake pads. Get off the e-Pedal, and engine braking slows down the vehicle, which recharges the battery at the same time.

Once the battery gets low on power, the three-cylinder engine kicks (pardon the pun) in to charge the battery. It is a little noisy, so you'll definitely hear it when it turns on. Average fuel consumption is 19 km/l in mixed driving conditions.

Forward collision warning, emergency braking, driver attention alert, and hill start assist are standard, but exclusive to the range-topping VL is Nissan's Intelligent Around View Monitor, so you can see obstacles around the vehicle's blind spots.

Note that no spare tire is available for all variants of the Kicks e-Power. It uses a tire repair kit to reduce curb weight. A regular flat is an easy fix for a patching kit, but if the damage is considerable, like a tear, you'll need a towing service to get you off the side of the road.

The Nissan Kicks e-Power VL is now more affordable and still as fuel-efficient as the day it was launched. There are some areas for improvement, including wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, and I expect that to be addressed in the next facelift. But even in its current form, it is one of the safest and most affordable models that offer electric mobility.