- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
102kW, 198Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 8.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Nissan Dualis ST 2WD
NISSAN DUALIS ST 2WD
Rating: 3/5
A LOT of people remember the Nissan Pulsar small car with affection. Its replacement, the Tiida, is still on sale but is so eminently forgettable that Nissan has had to price it in the bargain basement to snare any interest.
That has left a gaping hole in its small-car line-up. Nissan's solution? Strip the all-wheel-drive system from its Dualis compact soft-roader and send it into battle.
WHAT DO YOU GET?
Robbing the Dualis of its X-Trail-sourced AWD makes it cheaper to build and sell. That has helped Nissan sharpen the deal on the Dualis 2WD.
The base-model front-wheel-drive ST tested here gets all the same gear as the AWD but its starting price is only $24,990 (plus dealer and on-road charges). That includes a safety pack that was previously an option.
At launch in early 2008, the ST AWD was $28,990 and the option pack added an additional $2000. So the loss of drive to the rear wheels effectively saves you $6000. Mind you, the ST AWD has been slashed to $26,990 and also gets the option pack.
The standard equipment list for the ST model includes air-conditioning, cruise control, single-CD audio, alloy wheels, power windows, a cooled glovebox and a full-size spare tyre.
The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine is unchanged, coming standard with a six-speed manual, or optional continuously variable transmission costs $2500.
The upper-spec leather-trimmed Ti model adds $3000 to the price of either the 2WD or AWD variants.
HOW SAFE?
The safety pack comprises stability control plus dual side and curtain airbags, meaning the entire Dualis range now carries a five-star NCAP crash rating.
Other standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags and active front headrests.
WHAT'S INSIDE?
While it no longer sends power to its rear wheels, the Dualis 2WD retains its off-roader ride height.
This is still a car you sit deep within, thanks to the vertical slab of centre stack and dark trim. The presentation of dials and controls is unimaginative, which also does nothing for the atmosphere. There's nothing special about the seating, either.
Storage is OK for front-seat passengers, including a lidded bin in the centre console and large door bins that include cupholders, but it's poor in the back, with only seat-back pockets. Nor do rear-seat passengers get air-conditioning vents or a fold-down armrest.
With the 4WD mechanicals binned, boot capacity expands from 348 litres to 410 litres. With the rear seat split-folded, it grows to a commodious 1513 litres.
UNDER THE BONNET
The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine continues to produce 102kW and 198Nm. However, fuel consumption drops 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres to 8.2L/100km (manual) and 8.3L/100km (CVT auto).
Our real-world week of testing resulted in consumption of 9.7L/100km using standard unleaded. That's high for a 2.0-litre small car but the tested CVT version officially weighs in at 1442 kilograms — about 160 kilograms heavier than a Mazda3 Maxx.
The Dualis feels lethargic. Some of that is because of weight, some because the engine itself seems nothing special but it's also thanks to the deceptive steady nature of CVT acceleration.
ON THE ROAD
The added ride height makes the Dualis feel top-heavy, tending to noticeable body roll in corners. It's not extreme but the Dualis still feels more like a compact soft-roader than a small hatch to drive.
Its steering is heavy and slow, it slides its front wheels into predictable understeer in tight corners and tends to bob along on rough roads like a cork in the ocean. On more extreme surface corrugations there is a tendency for the multi-link rear-end to crash and bang.
VERDICT
Nissan has come up with a vehicle that looks like a compact soft-roader, is priced like a small car and behaves somewhere in between. In other words, it's a compromise. Against the likes of the Mazda3, VW Golf and Ford Focus, it is shown up. It's a stop-gap until Nissan builds a proper small car.
AT A GLANCE
HOW MUCH? From $24,990 (plus on-road and dealer charges)
ENGINE 2.0L 4-cyl, 102kW/198Nm, 8.3L/100km, 199g/km CO2, FWD
WHAT IT HAS 6 airbags; stability control; anti-lock brakes; 16-inch alloy wheels;
air-conditioning; cruise control; CD player; remote central locking; chillable glovebox;
height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel; 60:40 split-fold rear seat.
FOR Tall ride height helps with visibility and getting in and out; good load space when rear seat is folded; top safety rating.
AGAINST Engine feels lethargic; steering is heavy and slow; ride quickly deteriorates on choppy surfaces; rear seat lacks space for adults.
THE COMPETITORS
HYUNDAI i30 cw SLX (AUTO)
From $27,390 (plus on-road and dealer charges) Decent load space and good value offset by petrol engine that's inferior to its diesel alternative and a ride that can lose its composure at speed. Rating: 3.5/5
DODGE CALIBER SX (AUTO)
From $26,990 (plus on-road and dealer charges)
Funky styling, innovative ideas and good value can't mask shortfalls in ride, handling and steering, as well as average trim quality. Rating: 2.5/5
SKODA ROOMSTER 1.6
From $26,990 (plus on-road and dealer charges)
Well-equipped, roomy and flexible cabin and huge carrying capacity matched by strong engine and excellent road manners but 1.6-litre petrol engine lacks power and looks aren't for everyone. Rating: 3.5/5For