What is it? Nissan’s spacious saloon,
now with a convenient and fuel efficient CVT automatic gearbox
Price from: $17,400
0-100kph: 12.11sec
Automatic variants of cars are usually not
as fuel efficient as their manual cousins. But Nissan claims, at least based on
ARAI-tested figures, that the new automatic variant of its Sunny returns more
to the liter (17.79kpl) than the manual (16.95kpl).
Automatic
variants of cars are usually not as fuel efficient as their manual cousins.
The Sunny automatic comes equipped with
Nissan’s X-tronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) which,
unsurprisingly, is the same gearbox that’s in the Renault Scala, the Sunny’s
badge-engineered cousin. Nissan claims the X-Tronic gearbox is 10 percent smaller
and 13 percent lighter than conventional CVTs and aside from bringing with it a
30 percent reduction in friction, it translates to improved efficiency. The
gearbox is well suited to the Sunny’s 97bhp 1.5-liter petrol engine. If you
keep your foot pressed gently on the accelerator, the engine speed stays in the
1200-2000rpm range for more efficiency, even at speeds of 80kph. In this range,
the engine stays pretty quiet, but if you put your foot down further, it sounds
quite loud and strained. However, there’s very little of the ‘rubber band
effect’ typical of most CVT automatics, and overtaking doesn’t require too much
forward planning. Ride quality is also pretty pliant and comfortable.
The
gearbox is well suited to the Sunny’s 97bhp 1.5-liter petrol engine.
Apart from the addition of the automatic
gearbox, the Sunny is identical to the petrol manual version. It’s not the most
fun car to drive, but for the average city buyer, that shouldn’t be much of a
concern. The light steering makes travelling in rush-hour traffic a lot less
painful. At high speeds, the Sunny is pretty stable as well, however, sharp
bumps do catch it out.
The
cabin is one of the most spacious in the segment, with acres of legroom in the
back, and the seats are well cushioned too.
The cabin is one of the most spacious in
the segment, with acres of legroom in the back, and the seats are well
cushioned too. However, passengers may complain about the lack of thigh
support, at the front or the rear. The dashboard is identical to the Micra; we
just wish Nissan would brighten up the dull grey cabin a bit.
Nissan
is initially selling the Sunny automatic in only one trim, the XL.
Nissan is initially selling the Sunny
automatic in only one trim, the XL. It is well equipped with power windows,
electric wing mirrors, keyless entry and go, and a separate blower fan to help
cool the rear seats faster. And while Nissan is yet to announce the price, we
expect it to cost around $17,400 (ex-showroom) when it is launched. At this
price, it will be cheaper than most of its immediate rivals, including the
Honda City, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Verna and even the Renault Scala.
Nissan
Sunny XL CVT from the back
The Sunny is a seriously spacious saloon
that’s now easier to drive in the city and quite fuel efficient too – a very
sensible car to own.
