Say hello to the Advanced Infotainment System from the India-spec Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks in its India-spec avatar is all set to be unveiled in India on October 18. As we mentioned in our review of the Middle East-spec Kicks, the Indian model will be a larger car. Unlike what Renault did with the Captur, the India-spec Kicks won't be based on the Terrano. Instead, it utilises a modified version of the V-platform that underpins the Nissan Juke. Interestingly, the India-spec Kicks will also get a different infotainment system from the Media-NAV touchscreen infotainment system that we have used in various Renault-Nissan cars so far ranging from the KWID to the Captur.

We got our first taste of this new infotainment system in the updated Datsun Go and Go+. The system has an easy to use interface with a simple tiled layout similar to Microsoft's Metro layout for tablets and smartphones. The larger tiles comprise of frequently used functions like track lists, radio tuner, smartphone interface (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) and telephony. Whereas the smaller tiles create a cluster of the various audio sources and the settings tab. The layout is permanent and the tiles can't be moved around, but the interface is quite intuitive and doesn't need time to get used to. The system in the Go Plus did not come with a satellite-navigation module, but pairing an Android phone enables Google Maps navigation via the system. The Kicks could get a stand-alone satellite navigation module though, given its premium placement.

The larger tiles comprise of frequently used functions like track lists, radio tuner, smartphone interface (Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto) and telephony

The new infotainment is quite slick in its operation and the display is crisp. Like Maruti Suzuki's touchscreen system, this one too doesn't have a switch or knob for the volume control and you have to rely on the touch panel instead. Upping the volume takes a while, but muting it only takes a long press of the volume-down switch on the touch panel.

The system measures 7-inches diagonally and the touchscreen panel is the capacitive type. The pancake has capacitive switches for power, speech input, home, return and volume controls. The display is capable of streaming HD video off USB devices and when paired with a smartphone, it gets a voice recognition compatibility for certain audio and telephony functions. The two-speaker it comes mated to in the Datsun sounds pretty average, but we expect a better audio setup in the Kicks.

As mentioned, the India-spec Nissan Kicks will be unveiled on October 18 and its commercial launch is slated for January 2019.

Also see: Nissan Kicks v Hyundai Creta v Renault Captur v Maruti Suzuki S-Cross Comparison test Video