The Nissan Kait is made for Latin America, so don’t expect it in South East Asia.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has officially unveiled the Nissan Kait, a brand-new compact SUV designed to strengthen its foothold in the highly competitive Latin American market.
Announced on December 3, 2025, the Kait is positioned as a stylish, spacious, and safety-focused option for modern drivers. While the launch is currently focused on Latin America, the model’s size and positioning make it an interesting sibling to the Nissan Kicks which was introduced to our market in late 2025.
Built for Robustness and Space
The Kait is set to be produced at Nissan’s Resende Industrial Complex in Brazil, with export plans to over 20 markets, likely all in the Latin American region.
One of the standout features mentioned in the initial release is the vehicle’s practicality.
- Trunk Capacity: The Kait boasts a 432-litre boot, a figure that places it competitively within the B-segment SUV category.
- Design Focus: It is marketed towards customers seeking a “stylish look” combined with a spacious interior and well-equipped safety features.
Nissan Kait vs. Nissan Kicks: What’s the Difference?
While full specifications for the Kait are yet to be revealed, early details suggest distinct positioning unique to the Latin American market:
- Cargo Space: The Kait’s 432-litre trunk is slightly larger than the current Nissan Kicks (often rated around 423 litres depending on the market and measurement standard).
- Platform & Architecture: The press release notes the Kait inherits elements from a “best-selling platform”. This likely points to the same robust CMF-B platform or a cost-effective derivative similar to the Nissan Magnite, whereas the Kicks often features higher-end finishes and advanced powertrains like e-POWER for markets like Malaysia.
- Market Role: In Latin America, the Kait will sit alongside the all-new Kicks and the Magnite. This implies it could bridge the gap between the budget-friendly Magnite and the more premium, tech-heavy Kicks—a “middle child” that balances size with affordability.
Will It Come to Malaysia?
Currently, the Kait is designated for Latin American production and export. After the great re-strategizing of the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance, the new plan was to leave Nissan in charge of development in the Americas while Mitsubishi took lead in South East Asia. That in mind, it would appear as if the Kait will remain a Latin American exclusive that will not be adopted to our RHD market.
