Nissan Dualis Reviews

It will be one of your biggest secrets. The car that looks like an SUV - even hints at a 4WD - yet beneath its boxy, upright facade it has the off-road capabilities of roller skates. The Nissan Dualis Hatch looks exactly like its more dirt-friendly all-wheel drive sister, the Dualis AWD, yet is only a front-wheel drive.It shares the 2.0-litre engine and transmission specifications, has the same dimensions including the 188mm ground clearance and yet will save you $4000 in purchase, a bit extra in fuel costs and 73kg in weight. The idea that something is missing beneath the seats is unlikely to occur to the driver and, considering about 90 per cent of SUVs never touch dirt, will never be missed.The Dualis, itself based on the X-Trail, gets a front-drive version to compete with similar exercises including the Hyundai Tuscon City and Kia Sportage LX. It appears to be a no brainer until you recognise that in making a 2WD SUV, you are going head-to-head with conventional hatchbacks and wagons. It even exposes a rival in that very clever, yet a bit awkward, Skoda Roomster.The Dualis Hatch comes in ST (as tested) and the more upmarket Ti guises and has appeal for people that want a small car footprint with flexible cargo space. The ST is a very simple hatchback that is modestly equipped and shows its entry-level pricing in its all-black plastic dash treatment. The CD player takes one disc, there are only two airbags and though the airconditioner is ducted to the glovebox, it isn't a climate-control system.It will seat up to five adults — though if you were number five your smile would be short lived — with reasonable rear legroom. Though the rear seats are relatively comfortable, the front chairs are really comfortable — more like an armchair or one of those padded seats that endeared buyers to French cars.The ride is also up there with some bigger cars. There's been excellent work in suppressing exterior sound and underbody road noise and that, together with the tall sixth ratio of the six-speed manual transmission, makes this a relaxed machine on the open road. A 2-litre engine is rarely inspiring though it has a broad power/torque band that suits the Dualis' primary role as a suburban family wagon.It can be revved towards 6500rpm in the lower four gears but that's a waste of time and money. The smooth-shifting box is better used to upchange about 3000rpm where the engine is comfortable, quiet and fuel efficient.Handling is reasonable. Remember this is a tall vehicle with most of its weight in the nose. It will tend to understeer when hurried and that will combine with bodyroll — mainly because of the car's height — to present some interesting dynamics. The all-wheel drive is slightly better because drive to all wheels can be provoked.In saying that, the Dualis Hatch comes standard with electronic stability control and electronic brakeforce distribution, so there's help available from the car's nanny if needed. It's a neat package and has its appeal with buyers who may like the high seating position and, more importantly, owners who like the higher hip-point of the seats to ease entry and egress.Those who are buying this just because they like the look of an SUV may be kidding themselves. By comparison, a Ford Focus LX hatch costs $700 less than the Dualis Hatch and adds alloy wheels, six airbags and at 7.1 litres/100km, is a lot more fuel efficient than the Dualis' 8.2 l/100km.

Most people will not see or feel the changes to the latest Nissan Dualis until they get to the most important part, the price. The compact hatch - some might call it a mini wagon - has been tweaked to take a bigger slice of the small car class with an important price breakthrough.It now starts at $24,990, much closer to Corolla country, thanks to a front-wheel drive model and some hard bargaining with Nissan headquarters in Japan.The basic bottom line is down by $6000, although Nissan is keeping the all-wheel drive Dualis for people who want more of the SUV experience and a little more confidence for sandy beach tracks or getaway weekends. And who are prepared to pay an extra $2000 to get it.The Dualis is a crossover critter that combines a higher seating position with a bigger luggage space in the tail to challenge rivals in the most popular new-car class in Australia. It has yet to fire, but that's mostly down to price and an oddball position in the Nissan line-up.But the company is convinced the 2010 model year tweaks and the sharper price will do the job. "Why are we doing this car? It's a perfect fit in the product portfolio. It sits precisely between Tiida and Maxima and it's what the brand has needed," says Dan Thompson, managing director of Nissan Australia."It's a big opportunity for Nissan to become a significant player in the small-car class. It delivers a need we have and ticks the boxes. It's quite an important opportunity for the brand."But what about buyers? Apart from the sharper price, the Dualis trumpets five-star safety, a 2-litre petrol engine, six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmission, and standard equipment including six airbags and ESP stability control. There is no skimping in the specification or finish of the front-drive Dualis - which Nissan prefers to call the 'two-wheel drive' model - despite its price-fighter position.It has tweaked the basic equipment with two model grades, ST and TI, but even the basic car gets alloy wheels, cruise control, airconditioning, power windows and mirrors, and a tilt-telescope steering column. The Ti picks up leather trim, a six-stack CD sound system, automatic headlamps and wipers, Bluetooth phone connection and more.The front-drive Dualis feels solid and secure and very few people will ever pick the difference unless, as I did this week, they make a steep uphill start and feel the front wheels scratching for grip under hard acceleration.The Dualis still looks a little dumpy, at least compared to cars like the latest Mazda3, but there is nothing wrong with the way it drives or the way it feels. The 2.0-litre engine has plenty of urge, the suspension is compliant and well planted, and the cabin is comfy with lots of stuff.There is no chance to back-to-back the new two wheel-drive model with the all-paw Dualis, but there is no need. It only betrays any front-drive signs under maximum acceleration or over bumpy, lumpy bitumen on a run through Sydney's northern suburbs.The six-speed manual is very slick but the operation of the constantly-variable auto, unless you switch to the sports setting with artificial gear slots, still takes some learning and appreciation.The car is quiet, has a nicely elevated driving position, comfy seats and all the cabin equipment you expect in a small hatch. Particularly a Nissan.The 2010 update also gives plenty of spread, with what amounts to eight Dualis models from the ST front-drive manual to the flagship Ti CVT with all-wheel drive, although few people are likely to be splashing $32,490. It might be built in Britain but there are none of the little quality glitches I have seen in the Brit-built Honda Civic Type R, and the factory's location definitely helps the price.Nissan believes the front-drive Dualis can nearly triple sales for the nameplate in Australia and the car has all the right ingredients for the job. The sticker might still be a little high when so many models are clustered around the $20,000 trigger point, but Nissan has the dowdy Tiida to do the price fighting and the revitalised Dualis with the right stuff to go up against the classier cars and the baby SUVs.

And there is likely to be more of it so with all the top resorts reporting big falls of crisp fresh white stuff, enthusiasts are dusting of their ski gear and talking snow talk.Carsguide this week takes a look at some of the newer off-roaders and others we think are some of the more desirable partners in snow.NISSAN DUALIS Price: From $28,990IT is a big seller overseas, but the compact Dualis has been slow to take off with buyers here.But it is a competent snow companion. It's not too big, nor too small, has composed on road manners and reasonable soft-road ability.In keeping with the current crop of smaller off-roaders, the Dualis has a wagon-style design, upright driving position and cabin that will swallow a decent amount of gear.The rear seats split fold 60/40 and the four-wheel drive system has a lock function that splits drive 50/50 front and rear when the going gets tough at lower speeds.The Dualis is powered by a 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre four that delivers acceptable, but not outstanding performance.The Ti gets standard stability control, six airbags and heated leather front seats.Tick: Compact styling.Cross: Still relatively unknown. VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Price: From $33,990THE Tiguan is essentially a grown up Golf and takes on all the attributes of its smaller brother, adding all-wheel drive into the mix with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or turbo-diesel engines.It's slightly longer than the Golf and comes with the 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive system.There is no low range but the Tig will get you out of most trouble in the snow.One of the impressive things about this off-roader is its handling. Anyone familiar with the Golf will be perfectly at home.Like all VW's the Tiguan is well equipped and gets standard stability control, six airbags and optional hill-descent system.Roof rails are standard and you will need them for a luggage pod because boot space is limited. However, the rear seats do fold almost flat. If you specify leather, the front seats are heated.Tick: Badge and handling.Cross: Luggage space and firm ride. SUBARU FORESTER Price: From $30,990LIKE the previous model, the Forester is a top seller and popular among skiers.The new-generation wagon answers the criticism of limited luggage and rear seat legroom by being bigger and even more practical.However, by growing 90mm in wheelbase and up in overall size the Forester has lost some of that on-road precision that marked the previous model as a standout. Some aspects of the cabin, like the dashboard execution, are not of the quality we expect from Subaru either.Pluses are its size and 2.5-litre boxer four cylinder engines. Subaru build quality is generally good too, as is the constant all-wheel drive system.The Forester has a five-star crash rating and raft of safety features that includes anti-skid brakes, stability control and brace of airbags. Manual Foresters get hill-start assist, which stops the car rolling backwards while first gear is engaged.Tick: It's a Subbie.Cross: Soggy SUV feel. RENAULT KOLEOS Price: From $29,990TO dismiss the Koleos as just a French car over the top of Nissan mechanicals is missing the point.The Koleos is well executed, solid and safe. It has six airbags, stability control and hazard lights that come on after an emergency stop.The "All-Mode 4x4i" all-wheel drive versions also get hill-start assist and hill-descent control.In auto mode, the torque split between the front and rear is automatically determined by the amount of available grip.Entry models are two-wheel drive while all-wheel drive buyers get a choice of the smooth Renault-sourced 2.0-litre dCi turbo diesel or 2.5-litre Nissan-sourced petrol four cylinder.There's plenty of room. The rear centre armrest is removable to allow skis to be pushed through and there are storage bins under the front seats and rear floor.Like the Tiguan, the range topping models with leather get heated front seats.Tick: Better looking than an X-Trail.Cross: Renault badge. AUDI Q5 Price: From: $59,900IT seems that just about any vehicle Audi launches at the moment is a sellout.The Q5 is one of them.Smaller than a Q7, the Q5 has the same off-road attributes in a smaller sharply styled package with good luggage space via the 40/20/40 split rear seats and optional cargo barrier that separates luggage.Two petrol and two turbo diesels are available and the S-tronic seven-speed gearbox contributes to good fuel figures.Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive system splits torque 40/60 front and rear, which gives the car relatively neutral handling.For those looking for something bigger, there's the A6 Allroad and the Q7.Unfortunately Audi is becoming just like its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to equipment.Tick: Space and diesel.Cross: Expensive options. FORD TERRITORY Price: From $39,490THE Territory has just undergone a recent update to bring it into line with the rest of the Ford range.However, the cabin remains largely the same, and that's not a bad thing. It's good for a family and has seven-seater capacity.The Territory's cabin is well thought out and there is lots of storage space.Buyers have a choice of four AWD models or three rear-drive models.Stability control is standard, as are four airbags and anti-skid brakes.The TS and Ghia four-wheel drive models get seven seats as standard. Mum and Dad will also appreciate the standard DVD player in the Ghia.The reversible rear-load floor and compartment for storing wet items is handy.Tick: Practical and good looking.Cross: Getting on despite update. VOLVO XC60 Price: From $57,950THE XC60 is one of the best handling Volvo wagons around and one of the most attractive.The new City Safety feature is more than just a gimmick. The system applies the brakes if you are about to rear-end another car in low-speed situations up to 30km/h.Other Volvo strengths are the lane change warning system and blind-spot warning system. Volvo seats are renown for their comfort. 40/20/40 split rear seat is practical.There is a choice of either the 2.4-litre D5 turbo-diesel, which is about to be upgraded to a twin-turbo for better economy and efficiency, or the 3.0-litre turbo petrol six.Tick: Styling and equipment.Cross: Rattly diesel. LEXUS RX350 Price: From $81,900.THE RX350 has grown slightly, which translates into more interior room.This wagon, like all Lexus models, is packed with equipment that is optional on its rivals like satellite navigation, power rear hatch and rear reversing camera.The Sports Luxury gets active headlights that follow the curve of the road, plus a heads-up display.The safety package consists of stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), traction control, anti-skid brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.There is also, hill-start assist, 10 airbags and a first-aid kit.The rear seats split 40/20/40 and there is a wet-storage area in the luggage load floor. Thule luggage pods are also available.Tick: Standard equipment.Cross: Looks bloated. MAZDA CX9 Price: From $51,990It looks big and feels big but once under way, the CX9 shrink-wraps around you.It's well sorted on the road, has a host of safety gear and with seven seats, has plenty of room for the family.The cabin quality is better than the CX9 too.The 204kW/366Nm 3.7-litre V6 has plenty of poke but slurps petrol like a celebrity lining up for a free drink during Melbourne Cup week.The 60/40 split fold rear seats can be released from the luggage area.Tick: Rear seating, quality.Cross: Fuel economy. TOYOTA PRADOPrice: From $48,600THE Prado is the ideal family load-lugger if you need serious space and room for the family.It comes with eight seats and long-range fuel tank of 180 litres.The full-time 4WD system has a low-range setting for heavy off-roading.However only the higher spec Prados get standard stability control, anti-skid brakes, hill-descent control and six airbags as standard so it pays to check the fineprint.GXL, VX and Grande buyers get foglights and roof rails with satellite navigation and height-adjustable air suspension standard only on the top-of-the-range Grande.Tick: Standard and GX lack standard safety gear.Cross: Clunky styling. NISSAN MURANO Price: From $45,990THE previous-generation Murano was a sleeper.In a lineup dominated by the Navara and Patrol, it never really stood out other than a competent family wagon and its soft curves alienated many potential buyers.But Nissan hopes to change that with the new-generation Murano.The styling is sharper, the 191kW/336Nm 3.5-litre V6 a sweet engine that delivers good fuel economy. The packaging is good. The automatic All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive system can distribute torque on demand to where its needed.The luxury Ti gets all the fruit, from navigation system to heated front seats, reversing camera, automatic rear hatch and Bose sound system. The 60/40 split rear seats on both the ST and Ti can be flipped forward from the back of the car.Tick: Engine, equipment.Cross: Cheese-cutter grille. RANGE ROVER SPORT Price: From $90,900THE Range Rover brand has a strong following and is the preferred luxury chariot for seriously well-heeled snowgoers.Like the bigger Range Rover the Sport gets the nifty "Terrain Response" off-road system which means you just have to twist the switch to get the required off-road mode.The Range Rover Sport has real off-road capability but we don't think too many owners would ever go bush bashing in the leather-line luxury off-roader, particularly with the stylish 20-inch wheels available some models.The 65/35 split rear seats also have folding cushions and the full-size spare is easily accessible under the car. However, some of the bigger wheel/tyre options make do with a spacesaver.Tick: Luxury.Cross: Reliability.

Nissan's compact Dualis — the one backed by that left-field, two-faced television campaign — is more crossover vehicle than sports utility vehicle.The hatchback with all-wheel-drive capability is a handsome machine, maybe even pretty in parts such as around the rear. The body, more svelte than Nissan's boxy X-Trail, does not scream SUV or four-wheel drive; this is important in areas which do not understand the abilities and flexibility of the SUV.Even so the Dualis has a reasonable road presence. There's a sense of purpose to the high-riding style. For beneath the Dualis is a fair amount of X-Trail. Nissan is looking to have an each-way bet on this SUV business. The Dualis is the more sporting of the duo, more like a European hatchback than mud-plugging or gung-ho camping machine.The Dualis is the more cosmopolitan of the pair, a car to take to the local football game without concern about parking on a grassed slope. It is an “urban nomad” according to Nissan stylists.It feels smaller, snugger inside than the X-Trail. And it drives smaller.There is more sharpness to steering inputs and more zest to the driving. The trade-off is a little less ride comfort in pot-holed roads compared with the X-Trail.The other trade-off is a little less luggage space in the rear.Front seats are firm and supportive, occupants (four adults is best) sit a little higher than in a conventional hatch; instrumentation and dashboard layout are all tidy, well-organised and legible (though that strange “Olympic wreath” for fuel and temperature gauges may puzzle some).Standard gear in the ST (from $28,990) includes airconditioning, power windows and mirrors, cruise control and CD audio, plus the all-wheel-drive system to switch the front-drive car to all-wheel drive.The Ti models gain leather seats, alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers and trip computer. Also stability and traction controls plus side and curtain airbags.Both have 188mm worth of ground clearance, both run a 2-litre engine with 102kW and 198Nm of torque. There is the choice of six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission with six steps.And despite that ride height, despite just those 102kW and 198Nm, the Nissan Dualis defies the numbers and provides a sporting, entertaining drive.There is less body movement and hint of understeer than in the X-Trail, there is sharper steering. Perhaps helped, too, by the sports-style interior, the Dualis driver is encouraged to press on with confidence.It does, however, need a firm foot and some working of the gearbox to make best use of the power and torque.It has some character this Nissan. Easy to use as a city runabout, easy and pretty refined down the highway and happy to wander down a dirt road.The only question will be whether the motorist understands the duality of that character; that is the Dualis's ability to attack both a tarred mountain road with some panache as well as head off to a private picnic spot down a sandy track.

Nissan's effort at a mixed breeding program, crossing a small hatch with a compact SUV, has resulted in the Dualis, claimed by the company to be the “first true SUV crossover.”The Dualis is a marriage of segments previously kept separate and, while it boasts attributes from both, it is class-leader in neither.A real jack of all trades but master of none. During the development of the car the designers, stylists and engineers theorised, summarised and finally compromised to get as many of what they each saw as key saleable attributes into the Dualis.Some of the main objectives have been met; the car's drive is not dissimilar to a premium hatch and the driving position is certainly reminiscent of a compact SUV.As a light-duty off-roader the Dualis certainly has the genes for the job.It is built off the X-Trail platform with only minimal changes.The look is a tad city, a tad country, but it does emphasise the Dualis is no hairdresser's car.There is enough size and purpose about the styling to make parking it among the utes at the pub less embarrassing than it could have been.Nissan says the cabin trim is “premium hatch.” Maybe, but there is plenty of X-Trail about the dash treatment, instruments and switches.The front bucket seats are a prime example of where styling has won out over practicality. In most regards the seats are large enough, comfortable enough and well-enough bolstered. However, most is not all. The seat backs have been carved away and rounded at the shoulders to the extent that anyone except an Italian suit model will find their shoulders overhanging the stylish edges.General space in the cabin is good with both front and rear passengers (two would be the optimum) having head, shoulder and knee room in the comfortable range.Instrumentation is clear and well sited, the sound system is better than expected and rear access and space is good. Boot space is slightly compromised by the height of the load floor but that's the price you pay for having a full-size spare. Under the bonnet is a single engine choice. The 102kW and 198Nm 2.0-litre petrol does its best work mated to the standard six-speed manual.The ability to keep a close eye on the revs and put the engine into the torque band on demand makes it a much more tractable unit. The optional ($2000) CVT automatic is less inspiring off the line but does make tootling around the city a more relaxed option.Even light off-roading, however, would benefit from the greater control of the manual gearbox.The base ST model starts at $28,990 for the manual but that doesn't bring stability control, side and curtain airbags or alloy rims.A $2000 'safety pack' for the ST brings back those missing bits. Without the extra airbags, Nissan says the Dualis earns a four-star crash rating, rising to five stars with stability control and the side and curtain bags.At the top of the range the manual Ti is $33,990 and adds heated leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, Bluetooth phone compatibility and drive computer, aluminium trim highlights, a six-stacker CD player with six-speakers, rain-sensitive wipers, light-sensitive auto headlamps, sliding centre console armrest and a pull-out storage tray under the front passenger seat. A well-specified package that represents good value.Both models are fitted with a simplified version of the All Mode 4xs4 system from the X-Trail, which allows for dial-from-the-dash settings ranging from 2WD through an active automatic 4x4 to the lockable 50:50 torque split; which automatically disengages at 40km/h.On the move the Dualis is surprisingly quiet. Road noise is minimal and wind noise at the better end of the scale. At just under 1.5 tonnes the Dualis is no lightweight and that shows in the petrol engine's limitations. Performance is adequate and when prodded hard it is capable of getting along. Unhurried cruising is the CVT's forte but beware, when asked for an effort on the open road the combination is a reluctant partner.In the crucial 80km/h-120km/h acceleration zone (think country road overtaking) the impression is less than flattering. Lazy and flat spring to mind.Where Nissan has excelled with the Dualis is in getting the best out of the dual-purpose suspension, allowing fun and comfort to co-exist. Pushed, the car sits flat and turns in with a surety that would be the envy of most hatches and all but a special few crossovers. On flowing roads the Dualis is fun to drive.There is even better news when it comes to keeping the Dualis cruising; recommended fuel is 91 RON and it is one of the few cars on the road that gets within shouting distance of claimed fuel figures.Over a couple of weeks in both manual and automatic versions the fuel return for primarily city driving was a very creditable 9.1litres per 100km. You can please some of the folk, some of the time.

Four-wheel-drive vehicles have always been big business for Nissan in Australia. Think Patrol, Pathfinder, Navara workhorse and, more recently, X-Trail.Now there is the Dualis, a compact four-wheel-drive wagon, which is more than a Tiida and less than an X-Trail.It is heavily focused on breakthrough business in Europe, where it is sold as the Qashquai — named after a nomadic Iranian tribe — but it could also do well in Australia, being priced from $28,990.“We see the Dualis as a huge opportunity,” Nissan Australia CEO and managing director Shinya Hannya says.“It is the first true compact crossover with the attributes of a small hatch and a compact SUV. They are Australia's two top growth segments and in the Dualis we have combined them.”The only real decision concerned the name. Qashquai missed out, despite being used in Europe and New Zealand.“We played around with the Qashquai name for a long time, but it just didn't seem to work here,” Nissan Australia marketing boss Ross Booth says.“There were issues with pronunciation, with not understanding where it came from . . . in the end we thought the Dualis name better suited the car's dual-purpose personality.”Whatever the badge says, the Dualis is a marriage of segments previously kept separate, a sort of cross-species breeding program, if you like.Dualis lands in Australia with a 102kW, 198Nm and 2.0-litre petrol engine running through a standard six-speed manual or the optional ($2000) CVT automatic.The base ST model starts at $28,990 for the manual, but comes without stability control, side and curtain airbags or alloy rims, though an optional safety pack brings the missing ESC, airbags and alloys for $2000.Without the extra airbags, Nissan says the Dualis earns a four-star crash rating, which rises to five stars with the safety gear.At the top of the range the manual Ti is $33,990 and adds heated leather seats, leather-wrapped steering-wheel with controls for the audio, cruise control, Bluetooth phone compatibility and drive computer, aluminium trim highlights, a six-stacker CD player with six-speakers, rain-sensitive wipers, light-sensitive auto headlamps, sliding centre-console armrest and a pull-out storage tray under the front passenger seat.Both models are fitted with a simplified version of the 4x4 system from the X-Trail, which gives dial-from-the-dash settings ranging from 2WD through an active automatic 4x4 to the lockable 50:50 torque split that automatically disengages at 40km/h.Ironically, Dualis grew from a failed small hatchback development program in Japan.“That project was cancelled, but the group was unwilling to let go of some of the ideas hatched there,” Nissan vehicle manager Peter Brown says.Brown says the most difficult part of getting approval for the Dualis was explaining a concept that had no benchmark against which it could be measured.“There were no direct competitors — there are no direct competitors — and because of that we had to consider the two segments (hatch and compact crossover wagon) at once,” Brown says.“We wanted to create two cars in one with the best attributes and as few of the vices of each as possible. Selling that concept was not easy.”The Dualis team put a premium hatch driving experience and the command drive position of a crossover wagon high on the wishlist.They then went to the X-Trail mechanical package and changed little as they wrapped a less aggressive body around the underpinnings, managing a very respectable 0.34 drag coefficient.The cabin was styled to be as premium hatch as possible with little about the trim and instrumentation, other than the 4x4 selector, hinting at the car's dual personality.The Dualis development program worked. In Europe, 100,000 cars sold in the first nine months. Some markets faced order banks of up to a year.That sort of demand, coupled with Nissan Australia's perverse reluctance to embrace diesel for its passenger cars, means Australian buyers will not get the 112kW and 320Nm 2.0-litre diesel any time soon. In fact, getting 370 petrol Dualises a month out of the company's factory in Britain is a win.“Can we sell more than that? We certainly believe so,” Booth says.“Can we get more than that? Not at the moment . . . but we will keep trying.”But the Dualis is about to go into production in Japan, and that could mean extra supplies for Australia . . . but still without a diesel. The Dualis is a marriage of segments previously kept separateAt first the Dualis looks as if some sad soul has jacked up the family hatch.It is not big but sits a little higher and plants a slightly bigger footprint, yet cleverly avoids the threatening look in which many four-wheel-drives — even small ones — revel.It is welcoming inside but not exciting or ground-breaking. There is good space and it seems well assembled.The seats, redesigned late in the development to improve side bolstering after tests proved their inadequacy, work well, though the cut-away shoulders of the backrest could be an issue for the larger driver.Instrumentation is clear and well sited, the sound system is better than you might expect, and access and space for rear-seat passengers is good.Boot space behind the rear seats is slightly compromised by the height of the load floor — the price for having a full-sized spare.On the move, the Dualis is surprisingly quiet. Road noise is minimal and wind noise is at the better end of the scale.But the Dualis weighs a tick under 1.5 tonnes, so the engine finds it a touch difficult to muster anything but adequate performance.Unhurried cruising with the optional CVT is pleasant enough, but asked for an effort on the open road — particularly in the 80-120km/h zone — the car feels flat, if not downright breathless.The manual feels better, if only because of its ability to force some attitude from the engine.Still, the development team has kicked a goal with the suspension and drive dynamics, allowing fun and comfort to co-exist.Pushed along, the car sits flat and turns with a surety that would be the envy of most hatches and all but a special few crossovers.On flowing roads the Dualis is fun to drive. There is even better news when it comes to keeping the Dualis cruising. Not only is the recommended fuel 91 RON, but it is one of the few cars that gets close to the claimed fuel figures. An enthusiastic test drive at launch saw the manual return a credible 8.7 litres for 100km — only 30ml shy of its official economy.The car sits flat and turns with a surety that could be the envy of most hatches.Road noise is minimal and wind noise is at the better end of the scale. 

Take Tiida for instance (pronounced Tee-dah). Why Nissan chose this name instead of the tried, tested and terrific Pulsar remains one of life's great mysteries. Aussies haven't warmed to it nor the car for that matter which is still struggling to emulate Pulsar's success. With this in mind the company was not about to