2013 Nissan Pulsar Hatch Review
2013 NISSAN PULSAR HATCH REVIEW
What's Hot: Zippy turbo engine, rear seat space, solid value
What's Not: A bit plain, CVT not up to Nissan’s usual standard, lifeless steering
X-Factor: Excuse the unassuming exterior: in turbo form the Pulsar is a very capable warm hatch.
Vehicle style: Small hatchback
Price: $18,990 (ST hatch manual) to $29,240 (SSS manual)
Engine/trans: 1.8 petrol four (ST and ST-L), 1.6 turbo petrol four (ST-S, SSS)
Fuel use listed l/100km: 7.2 (Pulsar ST manual), 7.7 (Pulsar ST-S manual)
Fuel use tested l/100km: 8.5 (Pulsar ST-L CVT), 10.9 (Pulsar SSS manual)
OVERVIEW
The Pulsar range is now complete. Nearly five months after the arrival of the Pulsar sedan, Nissan’s new small car is finally available in hatch form.
Australian motorists, with fond memories of the previous Pulsar range (which departed our shores back in 2006), are expecting big things of this new arrival.
And happily for Nissan, the hatch is indeed a better car than the sedan.
A lot of that added appeal comes from the availability of a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine, which is not offered in the sedan. Perky and powerful, it adds substantial punch to the Pulsar’s on-road performance.
Certainly, the range-topping turbocharged SSS will grab the attention of buyers. At just under $30k it’s a pricey proposition, but worth the coin thanks to a fat feature set.
But one rung down sits the ST-S. It’s also turbocharged and shares most of its mechanicals with the SSS, yet costs just $24,990. If you can live without the extra luxuries of the SSS, the ST-S is undoubtedly the one to get.
MLP | Manual / Auto Estimated Drive-away | Manual / Auto Pulsar Hatch ST $18,990 / $21,240 $21,878 / $24,196 Pulsar Hatch ST-L $22,490 / $24,740 $25,481 / $27,799 Pulsar Hatch ST-S $24,990 / $27,490 $28,010 / $30,585 Pulsar Hatch SSS $29,240 / $31,740 $32,433 / $35,008
- Pulsar | Nissan | Hot Hatches | Enthusiast
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