Nissan Sunny Review

The car you see above is the Nissan Sunny, a car that has been around for the past 54 years and transported families all across the globe. Back to reclaim its position as King of the Segment, let us take this all-new model out for a drive and see if it is worth its 67,900 Dirham price tag.

Drive

Now before you continue reading any further, I want you all to take a moment and forget all the negative preconceived notions about the Nissan Sunny because this all-new model is like none before it. Older models of the Sunny were no-nonsense economy sedans and that explains why they were such a favorite amongst rental companies, but this new one is very, very different.

Although this new model has a bigger engine, a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that produces 118 horsepower and 149 Nm to be exact, it is still much more fuel-efficient than the older car. Official figures claim 19.3 kilometers per liter, a significant jump over 15.8 kilometers per liter in the older car and that is made possible by many factors, one of the main ones being the X-Tronic CVT transmission.

But the Sunny has always been fuel efficient so that is unlikely to impress you, but what if I were to say that the Nissan Sunny now has some of the same features found in a Nissan Patrol, now do I have your attention?

Believe it or not, but Nissan has really upped the ante with the new Sunny and so there’s so much technology including Forward Collision Warning that will warn you if you get too close to the car in front of you. There’s Intelligent Emergency Braking which will jam the brakes if it senses a crash, there’s Blind Spot Monitoring to make sure you change lanes safely, and then there are 360-degree cameras to make parking easier and yes, all of this in a Sunny!

Interior

A big improvement in terms of design, the Sunny now gets a dual-tone dashboard with round A/C vents on either side, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and plenty of piano black trim along the center console. Keeping it modern and minimal, there are also two screens, a 7-inch digital screen in the instrument cluster that can be customized to show information most relevant to you and a 7-inch touch infotainment screen.

In the back, there is a surprising amount of space, like all Sunny’s before it to be honest with plenty of headroom and legroom to match. There are also cup holders in the door bins but if there is one thing, I wish they did not skip out on, it would have been read A/C vents, especially for the Middle East market.

Now if you remember, I did mention that Nissan has upped the ante with the new Sunny, and to prove my point once again, let us talk more about the comfort and convenience features that it has to offer. Things such as Automatic Headlights, Bluetooth connectivity, three USB ports, and a tire pressure monitoring system are all part of the standard car but since this is the full option model, there is a lot more.

To name a few, there’s Cruise Control, there are audio controls on the steering wheel, there’s push-button ignition, there is a wireless charger, there’s Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and all of this at just 67,900 Dirhams!

Exterior

From a styling perspective, the designers have got rid of the bubble-y shape of the previous model and opted for a sportier design with sharper lines and edges. Flaunting the brand’s new V-Motion chrome grille, the new Sunny now looks a lot more like its more expensive siblings, namely the Altima and Leaf.

With the new Sunny being available in seven different colors, there are plenty of choices available, but I must say this Radiant Red does suit it rather well. Since this is the full-option model, does get LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a sporty rear diffuser.

At the back, the boomerang-shaped taillights are another signature touch and the only thing that has been carried over from the older model is its practicality. Boot space measures in at 425-liters, which is ample for a car in this segment.  

Verdict

With a starting price of just 57,900 Dirhams, what Nissan has managed to accomplish with the new Sunny is simply remarkable. Not only have they built a car that is better than the Honda City, Kia Cerato, and Toyota Yaris, but they have built a Sunny that is actually good enough for regular people like you and me to consider buying one, not just rental fleet operators. That is a big compliment and so on that note, well done Nissan! Also, if you are looking to save time and money when it comes to insuring your car, head on over to InsuranceMarket.ae™.