Nissan Dualis 2009 Review

Nissan DUALIS Hatch

Not so much
>> No auxiliary input for stereo
>> Modest boot
>> No diesel alternative yet

Overall rating: 2.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 2.5/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 2.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

About our ratings

OVERVIEW
-- Take two
The Nissan DUALIS remains something of an enigma, despite having been on the market for over 18 months. Technically it is classified as a compact SUV by the relevant authorities but Nissan considers it more of a hatchback.

And that confusion seems to have spread to customers with the car's sales lagging behind its competitors. In Europe the DUALIS (known there as the Qashqai) is one of Nissan's top sellers with its high-riding stance and compact size making it a popular choice. Yet, because of its crossover status locally it has found itself lagging behind both the compact SUV and hatch segment leaders.

Now Nissan is giving the DUALIS a mid-life update and adding a two-wheel drive variant to the range to go directly after hatchbacks. It's hard to misinterpret Nissan's intention with the new variant known as the DUALIS Hatch.

Tellingly, for Nissan's local operation, the two-wheel drive model accounts for around 80 per cent of DUALIS sales in Europe. That suggests a major sales boost could be on the cards for the DUALIS range in Australia, now that the line-up has been expanded and its role more clearly defined.

Officially Nissan is targeting between 5000-6000 sales per year for the larger DUALIS line-up. That's a major leap up from last year's AWD sales that totalled just under 2600

Like the DUALIS 4x4 range, the DUALIS Hatch is available in two specification levels (ST and Ti) and with two transmissions (a six-speed manual and CVT). Prices start at $24,990 (2WD ST manual), $27,990 (2WD Ti manual), $26,990 (4WD ST manual) and $29,990 (4WD Ti manual). The CVT adds $2500 to all these pricetags (all prices are manufacturer recommended prices and don't include dealer and government charges).

The changes to the AWD line-up represent approximately a $4000 price cut over the outgoing model; although Nissan prefers to call it a "re-positioning".

Standard kit on the ST includes cloth trim, air-conditioning, single-disc CD player with four-speaker stereo system, cruise control, height adjustable driver's seat, glovebox cooler and 60:40 split-fold rear seats.

Paying the additional $3000 for the Ti grade buys you leather trim, front heated seats, leather steering wheel with audio controls, six-disc in dash stereo with six-speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, underseat storage drawer in the front, rear seat armrest with cup holders, front map lights and rear reading light, fog lights and a trip computer.

Both ST and Ti ride on 16-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.

However, there is a glaring omission from the equipment list on both models. Despite Nissan showing various images of the Apple iPod music player during its presentation there is no input for external music players, like the popular Apple device. Given that music-loving 20 and 30-somethings are the target audience it is likely to be a costly omission from Nissan; especially given the vast majority of the DUALIS' competitors have AUX-in jacks.

One saving grace for Nissan Australia is that it had no say in the matter and is pushing hard to make sure any updated model has an AUX jack included.

MECHANICAL
-- If it ain't broke...
Aside from the addition of the two-wheel drive model, the rest of the mechanical package is unchanged. The same 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder engine is carried over. It still produces 102kW of power at 5200rpm and 198Nm of torque at 4400rpm. As mentioned above the engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed CVT gearbox.

Weight is the only other difference with the 2WD coming in around 73-76kg lighter than its AWD counterpart; depending on transmission.

Fuel consumption for the AWD DUALIS is unaltered with combined cycle figures of 8.4L/100km for the manual and 8.5L/100km for the CVT. Dropping the AWD system has a slight effect on fuel economy with the Hatch returning 8.2L/100km and 8.3L/100km for the manual and CVT respectively on the combined cycle test.

The only other change, and one unlikely to be top priority on most DUALIS buyers lists, is towing capacity. Although capable of pulling the same braked load as the AWD, the Hatch can only tow 685kg unbraked compared to the AWD's 740kg.

If you're after more detail on the AWD system check out our original 4x4 review.

PACKAGING

Although riding higher than traditional hatchbacks it doesn't take up a bigger footprint. Interior space is good both front and back in terms of head and leg room.

The most surprising aspect of the DUALIS packaging is the boot. Despite dropping the rear differential there is no space to lower the boot floor, giving an impression of a smaller than average capacity. However, while it looks small to the eye, the 352-litre capacity is among the biggest in class. While trailing behind the Ford Focus (385 litres) the DUALIS is ahead of the Volkswagen Golf (350), Mazda3 (340), Subaru Impreza (301) and Toyota Corolla (283) when it comes to swallowing luggage.

But even though it is technically larger than most of its rivals it is hard to swallow Nissan's claims that it provides a better load area with more flexibility, given the tight margins between the DUALIS and the Focus, Golf and Mazda3.

SAFETY

Inside the cabin there are driver and front passenger front and side-impact airbags as well as curtain airbags for both front and rear passengers. All this has helped the DUALS earn a five-star NCAP rating.

COMPETITORS
-- Don't mention the SUVs
As mentioned above Nissan Australia has got the DUALIS Hatch aimed directly at the traditional hatchback segment of the market. In part it distances the car from the similarly sized, but more rugged, X-TRAIL but also because in terms of size and space it really is better suited to taking on hatches rather than compact SUVs.

Officially Nissan is targeting the Mazda3 MaXX and MaXXSport, Toyota Corolla Conquest and Levin, Subaru Impreza RX and RS and Volkswagen Golf 90 TSI and 118 TSI. But you can add to that the Ford Focus LX and Zetec, Hyundai i30 SLX and SR, Kia Soul 3, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback VR and VRX, Suzuki SX4 2WD and AWD as well as the Nissan Tiida.

For the record Nissan doesn't believe the Tiida and DUALIS will compete for customers -- in part because, as DUALIS brand manager Adrian Givoye puts it: "I see the Tiida as a very different customer... Style is not high on the Tiida buyer's shopping list."

Another element to consider is Nissan Australia's decision not to bring in the diesel engine as part of the midlife update. That means DUALIS doesn't have an answer for the likes of the Focus TDCi, Golf TDI, i30 CRDi or Soul CRDi. That won't always be the case, however -- Nissan Australia CEO Dan Thompson admits the oil-burner is high on the company's agenda for 2010.

The hatch segment is a large and highly competitive piece of the market at the moment. Toyota and Mazda are the undisputed leaders with both the Corolla and 3 having already sold over 20,000 examples this year, according to VFACTS figures. Next best is the i30 at 11,949 sales up until July and the Lancer just behind on 10,801.

Even if Nissan hits its target of 6000 DUALIS sales per year it will still be significantly behind all of its rivals and most likely the Tiida as well. The small hatch market may be a big pie but it will be interesting to see just how much of a piece Nissan can grab with its new DUALIS line-up.

ON THE ROAD
-- A higher hatch
To highlight the DUALIS Hatch is targeted at urban buyers Nissan's drive program for the press launch was focussed firmly on city and suburban driving. Starting at Sydney's Bondi Beach we headed north ending up at Palm Beach. While it wasn't a long drive, it was enough to get an understanding of the impact 2WD only has on the DUALIS package.

As expected the engine remains a solid performer. It's certainly not anything spectacular like the small capacity turbos found in the new Golf range, but it does its job and pulls the DUALIS along with ease.

The manual gearbox is another solid performer with a nice action and throw. Making it a six-speed unit was a wise choice by Nissan and means well spaced ratios.

The CVT remains a love it or hate it proposition. As CVTs go it's a good one, but there are those out there that simply prefer a traditional automatic. The trademark groan (instead of the rise, fall and rise of revs) under acceleration is simply not everyone's cup of tea. And given the improvements and advantages of dual-clutch transmissions, the CVT concept is starting to make less sense.

Around town the ride was good. Rather than presenting as a high-riding rolly-polly, the DUALIS's suspension is well controlled which helps the suspension and steering provide good feedback to the driver.

The DUALIS' rivals offer just as much -- if not more -- in terms of price, packaging and performance, so ultimately it is the higher-than-average ride height that separates the Nissan from its competition. For some buyers the elevated seating position will be a major plus, but for most it just continues to muddy the water. Hatch or SUV?... Take your pick...

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