Nissan PRIMERA
Is Nissans Latest Primera A Car To Really Tempt Those Who Choose With Heart As Well As Head? June Neary Decides...
The old pre-2002
Nissan Primera was one of those cars I just would never have considered as a Medium Range Family Mondeo-sized choice. As far as I could see, it seemed to do everything it set out to do very effectively but, compared to other options, it was just. Well, just too dull. This latest one isnt.
Dull I mean. Get one and the neighbours will be craning their heads over the fence to check out those rather unique lines. Dull is obviously no longer a word in Nissans vocabulary. But a car is more than just the sum of its looks.
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This one is laden with electrical gadgetry and clever ideas. Plus, its as good to drive as the old one ever was. The early signs then, look very good.
As ever, three bodystyles are available - saloon, five-door hatch and the estate I tried - and these are spread across a wide range of different specification levels S, SX, SE, SVE or T-spec. Prices begin at £14,600, though thats a little more than Primera customers have paid in the past,
Nissan is quick to point out that the latest car is safer, more comfortable and better refined, as well as being significantly better equipped than its rivals. Engine-wise, theres a choice of 1.8 or 2.
0-litre petrol units or a 2.2-litre common rail turbo diesel. Space and versatility have always been strong points of Nissan models in this sector, and this Primera continues that tradition well. My first pleasant surprise on loading up all the equipment Id need for a family day out was how spacious the rear
seat area was.
In many cars of this size, Id have to pull the front passenger seat right forwards to stop my small nephews legs from being squashed, once he was installed in his child seat in the rear. But the Primera had so much legroom that try as he might he couldnt reach the back of the front seat even with his Mothercare boots on, to kick on it and annoy the grown-ups. Other reassuring touches for family-orientated buyers include the trio of three-point seatbelts and headrests along the back bench. Useful features abound, from the usual split/folding rear seat to a plethora of oddment trays and pockets.
Ironically however, the practical issue that ought to matter most to estate car buyers that of luggage carrying capacity seems to be the one in which Nissan has expended least effort. To be fair, the luggage space on offer isnt that bad 1650 cubic litres with the rear bench folded. Still, its a long way from class-leading. In its defence, Nissan points out that in reality, carrying capacity is actually relatively low down the priority list of most potential medium range estate buyers.
Hence the success of so-called lifestyle estates like BMWs 3 Series Touring and Audis A4 Avant, with their
smart looks and unashamedly small rear compartments. To be fair, I found the boot space to be more than adequate for a family of four and the opening wide enough to make it easy to load larger, unwieldy items like pushchairs. The only criticism is that the sill is higher than some rivals, so its more of a strain to lift heavy luggage into the car.
The interior is as adventurous as the voluptuous bodyshell. Three main dials are perched inside a central binnacle, below which is housed an LCD screen with a keyboard of various buttons on a shelf in front of it. The plush version I tried enabled me to view the world in colour and enjoy voice-activated electronic functions: a DVD-based satellite navigation system is also available and a clever reversing view was available through the monitor of the car I tried. Why has no one thought of this before? For avoiding little ones in school carparks for example, it could literally be a life-saver. All models feature climate-controlled air conditioning, front, side and curtain airbags, a 6-speaker CD stereo, a trip computer, electric mirrors, remote central locking, front electric windows and ABS. Though it handles well, for drivers content to stay on the motorways, the Primera is in its element.
There are two reasons for this: ride and refinement. In both areas, the Nissan ranks amongst the very best in class, qualities aided by excellent brakes and a light, effective gearbox.
Prices are highly competitive, beginning at £14,600 for the entry-level 1.8-litre S model and rising to £21,250 for the 2.0 T-spec estate I tested. Consider running costs and specifications (your dealer will literally fall over himself to provide you with both) and the Primera looks in even better shape compared to its rivals.
If you want to save even more, Nissan even offer a factory warranted LPG fuel conversion that really slashes bills. The Nissan also comes with the peace of mind of a comprehensive three-year/60,000 mile warranty and the pedigree of constantly impressive showings in the J D Power/ Top Gear customer satisfaction survey.
The Primera combines good looks with strong levels of comfort, space and equipment. Add this to the responsive handling and its a hard package to ignore. I have to admit that after a weekend with one, I emerged surprised and willing to recommend Nissans voluptuous view on family motoring.
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