For 2020, the automakers were all geared up to introduce new and exciting models in the Malaysian market, but the pandemic pushed back several launches. Well, now the topsy-turvy year has passed, and we welcome the new year with the hope to see an array of new car debuts from the top-selling brands in our market. We have already covered stories on expected cars from the brands like Proton, Perodua, Toyota, and Honda and now it is time to tell you about the upcoming Nissan launches lined-up for the year ahead.

2021 Nissan Kicks 

In competition with segment leader Honda HR-V and the much-beloved Proton X50, Nissan is all set to bring its own B-segment SUV in town and that’s the Nissan Kicks. After the successful launch of the Honda City rival last month, the Japanese automaker is now working hard on the long-awaited Kicks launch, which is expected to attract buyers with its good looks and impressive fuel economy. 

On the mechanical front, we expect that the Malaysian-spec Kicks will be overhauled by the same e-Power hybrid-electric drivetrain, which we have seen in the Thai and Indonesian markets. That’s a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol mill mated to a CVT automatic and an electric motor generating 129 PS of maximum power and 260 Nm of peak torque. According to the automaker, the Kicks has an average fuel consumption of 23.4 kmpl and a CO2 level of 100g per km. However, in the Indian market, there is a petrol-powered Nissan Kicks, which is different from the rest of the world in terms of architecture. So what exactly comes to our market is still a mystery.

2021 Nissan X-Trail

The fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail made its world premiere in the US back in June, where it is sold with the name, the Rogue. We hope that in 2021 the updated SUV will be making its way to the Malay market, given the fact that the ongoing version banged the local roads in early 2019. 

So what’s all included in the generation update? The new X-Trail is completely redesigned from the ground up; it rides on the new CMF-C/D platform and features an all-new design along with a wide list of standard equipment. Upfront, there is a more angular V-Motion front grille teamed up with a two-tier headlight design resembling the current Nissan models and a more horizontal bonnet. New touches on the rear are a more rugged-looking tailgate, sleeker, wraparound tail lights, and silver rear bumper trim. It now measures 38 mm less in length and 5 mm short in height, although the wheelbase remains the same. 

The more upmarket cabin gets a 9.0-inch floating-style touchscreen display with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 10.8-inch head-up display, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. Powering the revamped SUV is a 2.5-litre direct-injection four-pot gasoline engine producing 183 PS of power and 245 Nm of torque. 

2021 Nissan Navara

The Nissan Navara is an aging dinosaur in the local market as the ongoing model is on sale since 2015. Also, in the light of the fact that the next-generation model has made its global debut last month, we are expecting the updated pickup arrival in 2021. 

The new Navara truck comes with several aesthetic, technological, and safety upgrades and has the potential to give strong competition to its renewed rivals, including the Toyota Hilux. With the familiar tough looks, the revamped pickup features the new ‘interlock’ grille on the front fascia, which the brand first introduced on the latest Titan. Other styling updates include new cube-like, quad-projector LED headlamps, C-shaped DRLs, redesigned bumpers, LED tail lights with C-shaped graphics, and a revamped tailgate with the Navara script. 

The interior received a few technological improvements, however, the powertrain options are likely to be carried over.

2021 Nissan Grand Livina

In 2021, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) could reintroduce the Grand Livina, which was first arrived in Malaysia back in 2007, before receiving changes in 2011 and 2013 and was on for sale until 2017. But now when Nissan Indonesia has launched the second-generation Grand Livina last year that based on the Mitsubishi Xpander platform, the chances of its re-entry are high.

Basically, the all-new Grand Livina is a rebadged Xpander with cosmetic changes mainly. In place of Xpander’s Dynamic Shield front-end, the Nissan SUV incorporates the brand’s V-Motion front fascia. The two seven-seaters also have different headlights, rear bumper, and wheel design. But both get power from the same source, and that’s a naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre engine making 105 PS and 141 Nm.

So if you are looking to buy any of these upcoming Nissan models, stay tuned with us. We will be covering all the latest updates on these as well as all other impending car launches.

Also read: 2021 Honda new cars: What to expect?