Nissan Dualis II Ti
Road Test
Price Guide (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges): $32,190
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Nil
Crash rating: five stars (ANCAP)
Fuel: 91 RON ULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 8.2
CO2 emissions (g/km): 195
Also consider: Subaru Impreza XV, Mitsubishi ASX
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 4.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0
Part hatch, part SUV, Nissan's Dualis hasn't yet grabbed the imagination of Aussie new car buyers as it has in the UK and Europe. There it's been a better-than-average sales performer for the Japanese brand. Here it deserves to sell better.
Indeed, it's one of the surprises of the last couple of years for this writer. Along with Suzuki's new medium-sized Kizashi, Dualis seems to be far better than the sum total of its parts. Combining a reasonably willing but very refined (in CVT version at least) and economical 2.0-litre powerplant with a chassis that displays a good blend of handling and ride, it's a very capable and polished performer.
We enjoyed our week with the car. It proved to accommodate almost as well as the family Forester and was frankly a more comfortable drive around town. There's not quite the luggage space as the larger Subie, but for less money in Ti trim as tested it pampered with full leather interior and a glass panorama roof that gave the cabin a light airy feeling that classed things up even more.
Though hotter climes than Melbourne may not be so keen on the glass top, an electrically operated full cover is standard. This should be considerably more effective than the net-style screen fitted on most Euros with glass ceilings.
Perhaps the reason Dualis has been a slow seller was the rather anodyne styling of the first generation. Well, that's been fixed in this latest version. The Ti combines smart-looking large alloys, just enough external brightwork dotted here and there to be classy and a more aggressive and purposeful 'face' to transform it into one of the smartest-looking small wagon-cum-hatch.
The entry-level ST offering isn't quite as handsome as the Ti, but offers a saving in initial outlay. You lose little of the amenity of the basic packaging, however.
We tested a front-wheel drive Dualis. An all-wheel drive version with a slightly dumbed-down version of the X-TRAIL's excellent 4x4 system is available for just $2200 more. If you're a snow or beach bunny it might be worth the extra dollars. It'll cost you a touch more at the pump (0.2L/100km), but not much that you'll notice.
Perhaps the best thing about the Dualis is its blend of ride and handling. Body roll is well controlled but the car never feels harsh or choppy in its response to road irregularities. It's no STI or Evo when it comes to carving the corners but even in front-wheel drive only form it far from disgraces itself. There's reasonable steering feel and the balance is neutral -- it takes some provocation to get it untidy.
And it delivers this happy medium of handling versus comfort in concert with a raised driving position that many buyers favour. Nissan has always claimed it sought to combine the best attributes of a hatch (handling and packaging) and SUV (high H point and versatility) in creating the Dualis. In its latest generation this writer is prepared to agree it’s mission accomplished.
The boy racer in me would like a touch more performance from the 2.0-litre powerplant but that might very likely upset what is a well honed and balanced package. Best leave well alone...
Watch Carsales TV’s video review of the new Nissan Dualis and Dualis +2.
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