Nissan Pulsar Reviews

Nissan made the questionable decision to drop the well-known Pulsar in 2006 in favour of the Tiida. But stalled sales saw the Japanese brand revive the Pulsar nameplate in 2012.

The N15 Pulsar was an all-new, fully imported, fifth-generation model that arrived on these shores in 1995.Compared to its popular predecessor it was longer and wider, which together with a longer wheelbase, resulted in more cabin space.Typical of the era, its looks weren't very exciting, but there was still a lot to get excited about.Like its predecessor it was offered as a four-door sedan and a five-door hatch, with four main models; the LX, Q, SLX, and SSS, plus a limited-edition Plus.Most models had a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, and the choice of a manual gearbox or automatic transmission, the exception being the sporty SSS hatch, which had a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.The LX sedan and hatch opened the door to the N15 Pulsar offering with a rather limited range of standard features that included central locking, cloth trim, power mirrors, power steering and a radio/cassette player with two speakers. Air-conditioning was optional.One of the most popular models in the range was the Q hatch, a value-for-money proposition that added sports seats and an airbag for the driver. Air-conditioning was optional.The SLX sedan was the range-topper, and befitting its lofty position it had additional standard features like air-conditioning, power windows, a leather steering wheel and four speakers for the radio/cassette player.But for excitement there was the SSS hatch, which gave buyers ABS anti-lock braking, sports seats, a CD player, front fog lamps and a leather steering wheel.A limited-edition Plus model was added in 1997, which could be had as a sedan or hatch, and came with air-conditioning, alloy wheels, central locking, cloth trim, power mirrors, power steering, a radio/cassette player with two speakers, and a rear spoiler.That followed in 1999 with a Series II update, which was best identified by new grilles, taillights and trim materials.The LX now had a driver's airbag, air-conditioning, a trip computer, remote central locking, a CD player (in addition to the radio/cassette player) with four speakers, and a remote boot release.There was more for the Q, too. It got air-conditioning, alloy wheels, a CD player, remote central locking, trip computer, remote boot release and power windows.Added to the features of the SLX were ABS anti-lock braking, alloy wheels, a CD player, trip computer, remote central locking and a trip computer.Similarly the SSS had remote central locking, a remote boot release and a trip computer.The N15 Pulsar predated features like Bluetooth, which meant you couldn't connect an iPhone or an Android device, nor did it have sat nav or a touchscreen, and while it had air-conditioning, it wasn't climate control.Parking the N15 Pulsar had to done without the aid of parking sensors, a reversing camera, or a park assist system. But the spare tyre was a full-sized wheel.The cabin was a good mix of practicality and attractive touches, particularly the SSS with its sports front seats and leather-wrapped gear knob and steering wheel. The multi-adjustable steering column made it easy to find the optimum driving position.Thanks to its larger external dimensions, the N15 Pulsar boasted a roomier cabin than that of its predecessor. As a result, those in the front and back seats were treated to more leg and shoulder room, making for a much more comfortable ride.With its split-fold rear seat, the Pulsar offered generous luggage space, particularly when the seat was folded. The cabin layout was neat, too, with controls well placed and within easy reach of the driver.Fitting a baby car seat was facilitated by lap/sash seat belts, but it was too early for ISOFIX child car seat mounting points.All models bar the SSS had a 1.6-litre double-overhead camshaft engine, with four valves per cylinder and electronic fuel injection. When at its peaks of power and torque it produced 86kW and 147Nm, enough to make it surprisingly zippy.The SSS was a serious small sporting hatch with a handy power-to-weight ratio of 10.87kg/kW in its base form, which was the key to its zippy performance.Power for the SSS came from Nissan's willing SR20DE 2.0-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine that boasted four valves per cylinder and fuel injection. At its twin performance peaks it put out 105kW, or 140 horsepower, at 6400rpm, and maximum torque of 179Nm at 4000rpm.That was enough to cover the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.7 seconds. It could account for the standing 400m sprint in about 16.5 seconds, and reach a top speed in excess of 180 km/h. It was indeed a hot hatch.Both engines used 91-octane regular unleaded petrol. The transmission choices were a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission, even in the SSS, and the final drive was through the front wheels.With a mix of MacPherson Strut front suspension and multilink beam rear suspension, and anti-roll bars front and rear, the Pulsar's handling was sharp and precise.Performance from the 1.6-litre engine was perfectly adequate for the everyday commute, delivering a useful mix of flexibility and get up and go that could easily handle town traffic.The 2.0-litre engine in the SSS elevated the performance to a higher level. It wasn't the blistering performance of some other hot hatches, but it was sufficient to lift the Pulsar into another league and provide the driver with an engaging drive experience.The N15 Pulsar was given a one-star rating for driver protection in the How Safe Is Your Car survey of real life crashes.Safety features were few; the LX didn't have any airbags when it was first launched. The Q, SLX and SSS were better equipped, and had an airbag for the driver. ABS anti-lock braking was only available in the SSS.After the Series II update in 1997, all models had a driver's airbag, but only the SLX and SSS had the benefit of ABS.When shopping for an N15 Pulsar today, the Series II offers the best safety package.There are no major reliability issues to be concerned about with the N15 Pulsar, it has a fine reputation for going, and going, and going. The engines, transmissions and drivelines are sturdy and give little trouble.Still, with a car as old as the N15, it's vital that they be thoroughly inspected and evaluated. An ageing car is much more likely to give trouble than one that is fresh from the production line.It's to be expected that normal wear and tear will cause parts to fail or wear out. Uncaring drivers can accelerate the wear and tear simply by abusing or neglecting their cars.Have any car under consideration examined by a mechanic to establish the actual mechanical condition, and check for a service record that shows regular routine maintenance.Both engines have timing chains, so there's no call for regular servicing. The new car warranty that applied to the N15 Pulsar was for three years/100,000km.The N15 came in before the introduction of capped price servicing, but there's nothing that should make the service costs excessive.If anything else crops up, you'll probably find it on our Nissan Pulsar problems page.Jill Thomas: I bought my Plus sedan in 2014 and it's been great, even though it has done almost 200,000km. It goes well, is cheap to run, and good value.Allan Allsop: I bought my 1999 Plus hatch in 2005 when it had done 90,000km. When I sold it in 2017 it had done 375,000km and was still going strong. The performance was surprisingly good, so was the handling, and it never missed a beat.Sophie Taranto: My Plus sedan has been awesome. It's done 300,000km and virtually nothing has gone wrong with it in the nine years I've had it. It's fast for a small car, and it's easy to drive, and it just keeps going.Paul Matthews: My 1999 Plus sedan had 200,000 km when I bought it four years ago. The handling was great, and economy surprisingly good.Good, reliable small car, but few safety features make it a questionable buy for young drivers.Rating2.5 stars.Toyota Corolla – Well built, well designed, hard to beat.2.5 stars.Mitsubishi Lancer – Good buy if in top condition with low kilometres and a credible service history.2 stars.Ford Laser/Mazda 323Badge brothers worth considering if in decent shape.2 stars.

While Nissan stuck with what had been a very successful nameplate in Australia and continued to use the Pulsar badge for its new N16 model, it was renamed the Bluebird Sylphy in its homeland.Following the end of local production, the Australian Pulsar was, by 2000, a fully imported model, with sedans sourced from Japan and hatches coming from the UK.The N16 Pulsar was still a small, front-wheel-drive car, but with greater demand for small vehicles from a market rapidly downsizing, the little Nissan grew a little in size and sophistication to better meet this need head on.Compared to the N15 that went before it, the new-generation Pulsar was longer, wider, taller, and better equipped.The N16 Pulsar was launched in sedan form in 2000, and the hatch followed in 2001.Opening the five-model range was the LX, which was only offered as a four-door sedan with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and the option of a four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed manual gearbox.Standard features consisted of air-conditioning, an adjustable steering wheel, remote central locking, power mirrors, power steering, an immobiliser, cloth trim, and a radio/CD player with four speakers.Safety features were limited to seat belt pretensioners and an airbag for the driver.The ST was available as a sedan or hatch; it had a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine and either a four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed manual gearbox.It was similarly equipped to the LX, but had the extra protection of an airbag for the front seat passenger.The Q was a popular model with its strong value-for-money proposition. It was available as a sedan or hatch, it had a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, and the choice of a four-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual gearbox.Standard features that made the Q so popular included alloy wheels, power windows, and a rear spoiler.Safety features in the Japan-sourced Q sedan were a driver's airbag and seat belt pretensioners, while the UK-sourced hatch also had an airbag for the front seat passenger.The ST was likewise available as a sedan or hatch; it too had a 1.8-litre engine, and the choice of automatic transmission or manual gearbox.ST standard features included air-conditioning, an adjustable steering wheel, remote central locking, power mirrors, power steering, and a radio/CD player with four speakers.Like the Q, the ST sedan had a driver's airbag and seat belt pretensioners, while the hatch boasted airbags for both the driver and the front seat passenger.The Ti was at the top of the range, and befittingly had the most when it came to standard features.Available only as a sedan, with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, and the choice of automatic transmission or manual gearbox, the Ti boasted climate-control air-conditioning, alloy wheels, remote central locking, immobiliser, power windows and mirrors, power steering, and a radio/CD player with four speakers.It was also the best equipped when it came to safety features; they included airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, seat belt pretensioners, and ABS anti-lock braking.An update in 2003 saw the release of the Series II which introduced a raft of changes across the range.The LX and Ti disappeared from the range, so all models then had 1.8-litre engines, which were revised, and the ST-L was introduced.Only offered in sedan form, the ST-L came with the 1.8-litre engine, and an automatic transmission or manual gearbox.Standard features of the ST-L were air-conditioning, alloy wheels, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, power steering, and a radio/CD player with four speakers.In other revisions, the ST got standard cruise control, while the Q got ABS braking with electronic brakeforce distribution, larger alloy wheels, and a sporty leather-wrapped steering wheel.Predating Bluetooth, it wasn't possible to connect an iPhone or an Android device, there was no touch screen, sat nav, or parking aids such as a reversing camera, parking sensors, or a park assist system.The spare tyre was full-sized.With its larger dimensions, the N16 offered greater comfort and head and legroom to those in the front or rear seats.The cabin was well laid-out, the materials used had a quality feel and appearance, and the seats were comfortable.The rear seat was a split/fold one to add to the flexibility of the cabin, with plenty of luggage space available when the seat was folded.Cupholders were provided for those in the front.Lap/sash seat belts facilitated the fitment of a baby car seat, but the N16 predated the requirement of ISOFIX mounting points.At the launch of the N16, the entry-level LX model had a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the rest of the range had 1.8-litre four-cylinder engines with 16 valves.That changed in 2003 when the LX was dropped from the Series II range. Thereafter, all models boasted the smooth, flexible performance of the 1.8-litre engine.The 1.6-litre engine was capable of putting out 83kW – 111 horsepower – at its power peak, and 140Nm when at its point of maximum torque.While the 1.6-ltre engine was a smooth, capable little engine, the 1.8-litre engine was the star of the show. At its performance peaks it put 92kW – 123 horsepower – and 161Nm, which endowed it with greater zip, but more importantly better flexibility for smoother driveability.Post 2003, the 1.8-litre engine had slightly reduced peak power of 90kW, but a little more maximum torque of 163Nm. Both engines ran on 91-octane regular unleaded petrol. They were offered with the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic transmission - the latter the most popular.With MacPherson strut independent front suspension and a multi-link beam rear suspension, the N16 Pulsar handled, steered, and stopped with assurance.It wasn't sports car precise, but it did what it was intended to do and didn't cause anyone a moment's distress.The 1.6-litre engine used in the LX in the Series I range was nice enough, but it lacked the performance modern day traffic demands. In contrast, the 1.8-litre engine was sufficiently powerful to get the job done in the bustle of town life.There was sufficient torque to deliver the flexibility and smooth driveability that makes the day-to-day driving experience a pleasant one, even with the limitations of a four-speed automatic transmission.For those in the cabin, the ride was comfortable, and there was little wind or road noise to cause any concern.Comprehensive standard safety equipment was bit of a work in progress when the N16 was launched. When released, safety features consisted of an airbag for the driver and seat belt pretensioners - it wasn't until the Series II update in 2003 that a front passenger's airbag became standard.It was a similar tale of woe when it came to the very important ABS anti-lock braking, which only became standard in the Series II update.ANCAP rated the Series II at three (out of five) stars for safety.Owners and mechanics agree the reliability of the N16 Pulsar is exemplary.There is nothing to be concerned about with the N16, even if it's done high mileage, providing it has been well cared for and is in good condition.Nothing beats regular servicing to keep a car in tip-top shape, so it's critical that the seller provides a service record to show their car has been properly maintained.Older cars are often neglected by owners not wanting to spend money on a car they see as of little value. If there's no service record, and the car appears neglected, walk away.Look for signs of wear and tear, such as oil smoke from the exhaust, oil leaks around the engine and transmission, and coolant leaks.The engines have cam timing chains, so there's no requirement for servicing them.Being a conventional automatic transmission, there are none of the issues that have plagued new-tech transmissions like dual-clutch and CVT gearboxes. But it's important as the kilometres climb to check the auto is working smoothly and engaging gears without flaring or hesitation.Nissan covered the N16 Pulsar with a three-year/100,000km warranty when new, and recommended it be serviced every 10,000km or six months.The recommended oil is 5W-30.Capped-price servicing was yet to be introduced, but there's nothing in the N16 Pulsar to make the service costs expensive.The N16 Pulsar is affected by the Takata airbag inflator recall, so check with the seller to see if their car has been recalled. If it hasn't, check with the dealer to see when it will be.If anything crops up, you'll probably find it on our Nissan Pulsar problems page.Belinda Rogers: "I've had my 2004 Pulsar for 14 years and it's still going strong. It's been a real little beauty, and has never let me down."Allan Savage: "We bought our Ti used in 2010. It's now done 420,000 km and has not caused us a moment's trouble."Ellen Chadwick: "I've had my ST for three years now and have found it very practical. There's plenty of room in the back, the doors open wide enough to make it easy for older people to get in and out, and it's cheap to run."Jack Billings: "I've had my ST for two years, and in that time it's cost me nothing apart from regular running expenses. It's a great car for someone wanting cheap transport."Marion Baldwin: "I love my ST, which I bought used in 2013. It's roomy, economical, and is nice to drive."Toyota CorollaSound and reliable, if in tip-top shape.3 starsMazda3A class act and drives nicely, but it can be thirsty.3 stars.Ford FocusA great handler let down by bland interior and lacklustre engine.2.5 stars.Reliable small car, a sensible cheap used buy.Rating: 3.5 stars.

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