Nissan Kicks 2009 - a compact crossover, which became a logical continuation of the line of subcompact cars of the Japanese brand. Despite the fact that the model debuted later (in 2016), many mistakenly associate the name Kicks with earlier generations Nissan Juke or Nissan Note. In fact, in 2009 it was sold exclusively under this name Brazilian version Nissan Livina, adapted for the Latin American market. This is important to consider when searching for parts or repair information.

The car was positioned as a budget family hatchback with increased cross-country ability, but without all-wheel drive. Its main advantages are efficiency, reliability of Japanese assembly (for the Brazilian market) and a spacious interior. However, the model also has weak points: modest dynamics, noisy suspension on bad roads and specific ergonomics. In this article we will analyze all technical nuances, typical problems and we will give recommendations on choosing a used one Nissan Kicks 2009.

Technical characteristics of Nissan Kicks 2009 (Livina)

Under the hood Nissan Kicks 2009, a single gasoline engine was installed - 1.8 liter MR18DE 126 hp This motor is well known from other alliance models Renault-Nissan, such as Nissan Tiida or Renault Megane. The unit was combined with a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatically DP0, which is often criticized for being "thoughtful" when switching.

The drive is exclusively front-wheel drive - no all-wheel drive versions were produced in 2009. Classic suspension for the class: front McPherson, at the rear there is a semi-independent beam. Ground clearance is 175 mm, which allows you to confidently overcome city bumps, but is not designed for serious off-road conditions. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle varies from 7.5 to 9.2 l/100 km depending on the transmission.

  • 🔧 Engine: 1.8 MR18DE (126 hp, 174 Nm)
  • ⚙️ Gearboxes: 5MT or 4AT DP0
  • 🛣️ Drive: front (4WD not offered)
  • ⛽ Fuel consumption (combined cycle): 7.5–9.2 l/100 km
  • 📏 Ground clearance: 175 mm
Parameter Mechanical (5MT) Automatic (4AT)
Acceleration 0–100 km/h 10.8 s 12.1 s
Maximum speed 185 km/h 180 km/h
Consumption in the city 9.0 l/100 km 10.5 l/100 km
Consumption on the highway 6.2 l/100 km 7.0 l/100 km

Feature of the model - 50 liter tank, which with a consumption of 9–10 l/100 km in the city provides a range of about 500 km. For comparison: competitors seem to have Toyota Urban Cruiser or Honda HR-V At that time, tanks were 5–10 liters smaller.

📊 What type of transmission do you prefer in a used crossover?
  • Mechanics - more reliable and cheaper to repair
  • Automatic - more comfortable for the city
  • It doesn’t matter, the main thing is the condition
  • Another option

Differences from Nissan Livina and Juke

Many people confuse Nissan Kicks 2009 from Nissan Livina or Juke, but these are different models with unique features. Kicks - this is a rebranded version Livina for Brazil, whereas Juke appeared only in 2010 and had a completely different platform (Nissan B). Externally Kicks/Livina 2009 is easy to recognize by:

  • 🚗 Rectangular headlights with rounded corners (at Juke round headlights)
  • 🪟 High line windows, creating a “greenhouse” effect
  • 🚪 Rear door handles, hidden in the rack (like Toyota RAV4)
  • 🔄 Lack of all-wheel drive (unlike Jukewhere it was an option)

Inside Kicks simpler materials were used than European versions Livina: Harder plastic, less sound insulation. But there is more space - the trunk volume 410 liters (versus 354 l for Juke). The seats are adjustable only in height and angle, but there is no lumbar support adjustment.

⚠️ Attention: When purchasing spare parts for Nissan Kicks 2009, please provide VIN code! Details from Livina for Asia may not be suitable due to differences in configurations. For example, the front shock absorber struts for the Brazilian version are 20 mm longer.

Typical problems and weaknesses

Despite being of Japanese origin, Nissan Kicks 2009 has a number of “diseases” characteristic of budget models of that time. The main complaints of owners are related to:

  1. Engine MR18DE: after 150–200 thousand km, the idle speed often begins to “float” due to contamination of the throttle valve. The solution is cleaning every 60 thousand km. Also found crankshaft oil seal leak (sign: oil stains under the front of the engine).
  2. Automatic transmission DP0: with a mileage of over 120 thousand km, jerks may appear when switching from 1st to 2nd gear. The culprit is worn solenoids or contaminated oil. ATF needs to be changed every 60 thousand km, despite official recommendations of 100 thousand km.
  3. Suspension: Stabilizer struts and bushings last for 50–70 thousand km, shock absorbers – for 100–120 thousand km. Rear springs sometimes break due to corrosion (especially in regions with salty roads).
  4. Electrical: a common problem is refusal camshaft position sensor (symptom - the engine stalls while driving and does not start). There is also a “glitch” of the central locking due to oxidation of the contacts in the driver’s door.

One more nuance - corrosion of sills and arches. Despite galvanization, rust appears in places where the paint has chipped within 3–4 years. Vehicles operated in coastal regions (for example, Brazil or CIS countries with a humid climate) are especially vulnerable.

Condition of the crankshaft oil seal (oil leak)

Test drive with machine kicks

Play in the steering rack (typical after 100 thousand km)

Air conditioner operation (often freon leakage)

Integrity of rear suspension springs-->

Operation and Maintenance

To Nissan Kicks 2009 lasted longer, follow these recommendations:

  • 🛢️ Engine oil: change every 7–8 thousand km (even if you use synthetics). Optimal viscosity - 5W-30 or 5W-40. Suitable brands: Mobil 1, Liqui Moly, Idemitsu.
  • ⚡ Spark plugs: original NGK IFR6T11 serve up to 60 thousand km, but it is better to reduce the interval to 40 thousand km (due to low-quality fuel).
  • 🔧 Brake system: The pads last for 30–40 thousand km, the discs for 80–100 thousand km. When replacing, use original calipers (analogues often fail).
  • 🌡️ Coolant: Replace every 3 years or 60 thousand km. Recommended antifreeze - Nissan Coolant L250 (green color).

Pay special attention transmission oil in manual transmission. Officially it is “irreplaceable”, but in practice after 100 thousand km it thickens and worsens shifting. The optimal replacement interval is 80–90 thousand km. For automatic transmission DP0 suitable only Nissan Matic Fluid D (filling in cheap analogues can lead to failure of the solenoids).

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If, after changing the oil, jerks appear in the automatic transmission, perform the gearbox “adaptation” procedure: move the selector to all positions (P-R-N-D) 3 times with a delay of 5 seconds in each. This will reset the electronic unit errors.

in winter Nissan Kicks May have difficulty starting at temperatures below –20°C. The culprit is a weak battery (original 45 Ah) and oil pump, which does not have time to pump the thickened oil. Solution:

  • Install a 60 Ah battery (e.g. Varta Blue Dynamic).
  • Use oil 0W-30 or 0W-40 in winter.
  • Before starting, turn on the high beams for 10–15 seconds to “wake up” the battery.

Prices for used Nissan Kicks 2009 and what you can buy for them

On the secondary market Nissan Kicks 2009 is a rare guest, especially in Russia and Europe. Most specimens are concentrated in Latin America (Brazil, Mexico) or the Middle East. Average prices as of 2026:

Region Mileage (thousand km) Condition Price (USD)
Brazil 80–120 Good (no accidents) 6 000–8 500
Mexico 100–150 Satisfactory 5 000–7 000
UAE 60–100 Excellent (with desert mileage) 7 500–9 000
Ukraine/Kazakhstan 120–180 Requires investment 4 000–6 000

When purchasing, pay attention to:

⚠️ Attention: In Brazil Nissan Kicks often used on ethanol (E100). If the car ran on such fuel, the engine MR18DE may have increased wear of the piston group. Check the compression in the cylinders (normal is 12–13 bar).

Alternatives Kicks 2009 in the same price segment:

  • 🚘 Nissan Juke (2010–2013) - more dynamic, but more expensive to maintain.
  • 🚗 Toyota Urban Cruiser - more reliable, but smaller trunk.
  • 🚙 Honda HR-V (2006–2010) - more spacious, but the suspension is softer.
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If you are looking Nissan Kicks 2009 in Russia, most likely, they offer you Nissan Juke or Livina under a different name. Check the VIN code and check it against the database Nissan official website.

Tuning and modernization

Owners Nissan Kicks 2009 cars rarely undergo deep tuning, but there are several popular modifications:

  1. Appearance:
    • Installation eyelashes on headlights and tinting of rear lights (film LLumar).
    • Replacing standard disks with R16 or R17 (For example, Enkei PF05).
    • Body stickers in style Nismo (but without changing the technical part).
  2. Engine:
    • Chip tuning to increase power to 140–145 hp. (cost ~300 USD).
    • Installation exhaust manifold 4-2-1 (For example, HKS Hi-Power).
    • Replacing the air filter with nulevik (For example, K&N 33-2304).
  3. Suspension:
    • Installing springs H&R to reduce ground clearance by 30–40 mm.
    • Replacing shock absorbers with KYB Excel-G to improve handling.

The most useful upgrade is replacement of standard radio to the multimedia system with Android Auto (For example, Pioneer AVH-X5800DAB). The original audio system only supports CD and radio, and the sound quality leaves much to be desired. An adapter is required to connect Nissan Connect (about 100 USD).

How to improve noise isolation in Kicks 2009?

To reduce noise in the cabin it is recommended:

1. Cover the floor and trunk with vibration insulation (StP Aero or Bitumast).

2. Install an additional layer of sound insulation on the door (Accent Premium).

3. Replace the door seals with new ones (original article number - 80250-4M000).

4. Treat the arches with anti-gravel (Dinitrol 409).

These measures will reduce noise by 20–30% and improve the thermal insulation of the cabin.

Owner reviews: pros and cons

Based on reviews from the forums (Drive2, Club-Nissan.ru) and Latin American sites (WebMotors) we can highlight the following pros and cons of the model:

Pros ✅ Cons ❌
💰 Low cost of ownership (cheap spare parts, easy repairs). 🐢 Sluggish dynamics with automatic transmission (acceleration to 100 km/h in 12+ seconds).
🛣️ High ground clearance (175 mm) for urban conditions. 🔊 Noisy suspension on uneven surfaces (especially after 100 thousand km).
🧳 Spacious trunk (410 l) and interior. 🌡️ Poor interior heating in winter (weak heater).
🔧 Reliable engine MR18DE (resource 300+ thousand km during maintenance). 🔋 Frequent electrical problems (sensors, locks).

Typical reviews:

“I bought it in 2022 with a mileage of 90 thousand km. During the year I invested only in consumables - oil, filters, pads. The car doesn't break down, but it doesn't impress with its dynamics either. Ideal for the city and country house.” (Alexey, Moscow)
“In Brazil these cars are everywhere. My 2009 Kicks has already traveled 220 thousand km on ethanol - the engine is alive, but the consumption is 12 l/100 km. The main thing is to keep an eye on the spark plugs and fuel filter.” (Marcos, Sao Paulo)

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the 2009 Nissan Kicks

❓ Is it possible to install all-wheel drive on the 2009 Kicks?

No, the design of the model does not provide all-wheel drive. Platform Nissan B, on which it is built Kicks/Livina, does not have a 4WD version. The alternative is to search Nissan Juke or Qashqai.

❓ What oil should I put in the DP0 automatic transmission?

Only original Nissan Matic Fluid D (article KE909-99932). Analogs (for example, Mobil ATF 3309) can cause problems with the solenoids. The volume for a complete replacement is 7.5 liters.

❓ Why does the speed fluctuate at idle?

The most common culprit is a dirty throttle body or mass air flow sensor (MAF). Less commonly, air leaks through a cracked intake manifold pipe. Start diagnostics by cleaning the throttle with a product Liqui Moly Pro-Line.

❓ How much does the MR18DE contract engine cost?

Price depends on mileage and region:

  • Japan: 1,200–1,800 USD (mileage up to 50 thousand km).
  • UAE: 900–1,300 USD (mileage 80–100 thousand km).
  • Russia/Ukraine: 600–900 USD (used, mileage 100+ thousand km).

When purchasing, check the compression and signs of repair (for example, replacing piston rings).

❓ How to disable the immobilizer if the key is lost?

Disable the immobilizer yourself Nissan NATS impossible - engine ECU firmware will be required. Contact an auto electrician with chip tuning equipment (for example, KTAG or Kess V2). The cost of the service is 150–300 USD. Attention: After disabling the immobilizer, the car will become vulnerable to theft!