Verdict
At RM103,800, the GAC GS3 is RM10,000 cheaper and brings a 177 hp/270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo, 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time, 18-inch wheels and a larger 10.25-inch wireless smartphone screen. The Nissan Kicks e-Power costs RM113,800, but its 136 hp/280 Nm electric motor, 423-litre boot and far more complete airbag count make a persuasive family case. The GS3 is the quicker, better-equipped choice for the money; the Kicks justifies its premium if passive safety and luggage capacity matter more than acceleration.
Pick the GAC GS3 if you want to save RM10,000 while gaining 177 hp, 270 Nm and a 7.5-second 0-100 km/h sprint.
Pick the Nissan Kicks e-Power if its six-airbag suite, 423-litre boot and 136 hp/280 Nm electric motor matter more than outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: GAC GS3 RM103,800; Nissan Kicks e-Power RM113,800.
- Performance: GAC GS3 177 hp/270 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds; Nissan Kicks e-Power petrol engine 82 hp/103 Nm, electric motor 136 hp/280 Nm and 0-100 km/h…
- Boot space: GAC GS3 341 litres; Nissan Kicks e-Power 423 litres.
- Airbags: GAC GS3 driver and front-passenger airbags; Nissan Kicks e-Power driver, front-passenger, side, curtain and driver’s-knee airbags.
- Wheels and tyres: GAC GS3 18-inch alloys with 225/55R18 tyres; Nissan Kicks e-Power 17-inch alloys with 205/55R17 tyres.
- Warranty mileage: GAC GS3 5 years/150,000 km; Nissan Kicks e-Power 5 years/100,000 km, plus 8 years/160,000 km for its EV battery.
GS3
- RM10,000 lower purchase price.
- Quicker 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Only two airbags versus the Kicks e-Power’s six-airbag arrangement.
- 341-litre boot is 82 litres smaller than the Kicks e-Power’s.
Kicks e-Power
- Six airbags, including side, curtain and driver’s-knee airbags.
- 423-litre boot.
- Electric motor produces 280 Nm and its battery is covered for 8 years/160,000 km.
- RM10,000 more expensive.
- 0-100 km/h takes 9.5 seconds versus 7.5 seconds.
- Five-year manufacturer warranty is capped at 100,000 km, against 150,000 km for the GS3.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM103,800✓ | RM113,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM85✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing | 12-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,497 cc | 1,198 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 82 hp |
| Torque | 270 Nm✓ | 103 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 78 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 12 |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 136 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 280 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 2.1 kWh |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | eCVT Automatic |
| Gears | 7 | — |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.5 seconds✓ | 9.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 21.7 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,410 mm | 4,384 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,813 mm |
| Height | 1,600 mm | 1,610 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,673 mm |
| Weight | 1,370 kg | — |
| Fuel Tank | 47 litres | 41 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 341 litres | 423 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/55R18 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/55R18 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UC6 SUV | Yokohama BluEarth E70 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Two-tone Alloys | 17" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger | Driver & Front Passenger, Side Airbags, Curtain Airbags and Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three Point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-fold |
| Front Air-con | Manual Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front, 1 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto | 7" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | All Four Windows, Driver Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activated |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 3 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | — | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8 Years/ 160,000 km Warranty for EV Battery |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used GS3 & Kicks e-Power for sale
GS3 vs Kicks e-Power FAQ
Is the GAC GS3 or Nissan Kicks e-Power better?
The GAC GS3 is better for price and performance: it is RM10,000 cheaper and reaches 100 km/h two seconds sooner. Choose the Nissan Kicks e-Power for its six airbags, 423-litre boot and 280 Nm electric-motor torque.
What is the price difference?
The Nissan Kicks e-Power costs RM113,800 and the GAC GS3 costs RM103,800, so the Kicks carries a RM10,000 premium.
Which has more boot space and better safety equipment?
The Nissan Kicks e-Power has the larger 423-litre boot, compared with 341 litres in the GAC GS3. It also has six airbags including side, curtain and driver’s-knee units, while the GS3 has driver and front-passenger airbags only.