Nissan Tiida ST-L 2006 review: snapshot

Tiida will take time to establish a beach head in this country as a replacement for the Pulsar which had a 28 year run.

Tiida also faces stove hot competition for the likes of new Honda Civic, Mazda3, Holden Astra and Ford Focus.

• Styling is conservative and narrow looking hiding long interior with impressive rear legroom.
• Hatch looks better than the sedan.
• Renault influence throughout car especially the front and interior.
• Built on Renault small people mover platform with benefits inside.
• Engine is a 1.8-litre twin cam four with variable valve timing to deliver 93kW – about average for class.
• Has good response, frugal thirst, runs quietly.
• Auto is a four speeder – hunts a bit on hilly terrain, big drops between ratios. No sequential. Cries out for a five speeder or CVT.
• Six speed manual driven previously feels notchy between gears but drives better than the auto.
• ST-L is mid-level and probably the best value for money in Tiida range. Hatch manual is $24,240 and includes side curtain air bags ABS, power windows (yes) and alloy wheels among other stuff.
• Lacks centre rear three point seat belt.
• No vanity mirrors in sun visors.
• Has a large boot, full size spare.
• Rides sweetly, smooth over bumps, tidy dynamics.
• Test car had acrid plastic smell inside – like Korean cars used to.
• Looks small on the road, certainly smaller than competitors.
• Good vision, airy interior.

  Verdict:

  Like certain aspects but not the looks. Competitors are enticing for the same money. Nissan's reliability hard to pass up.

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