The Sunny, a new sedan from Nissan, looks very promising. Is it ready to shine in the entry-level mid-size segment? Here is the first impression of this car
Story: Ravi Chandnani
Photography: Sanjay Raikar
PRIOR TO THE LAUNCH OF THE MICRA, NISSAN’S premium products such as the X-Trail and Teana were a rare sight on Indian roads. However, the company soon realised that profi ts lay in the small car segment and so we got the Micra. After this small car we now get a second Nissan car meant for the masses. Now, this ‘new’ car has been a part of Nissan’s portfolio for the past almost 45 years and is sold in 170 countries, which is quite an achievement for any car. Ladies and gentlemen, enter the 10th generation Nissan Sunny.
With the Sunny, Nissan have also made their entry into the Indian mid-size sedan segment, which happens to be one of the fastest growing segments in the country, what with every car-maker in India vying to place a product in it. Well, almost everyone. Does the Sunny promise to be a game-changer for Nissan in India? We fl ew out to Chennai to fi nd the answer to this question as also to get the fi rst impression of this new sedan.
THE APPEARANCE
How does the Sunny look? Well, the answer to this would be that it’s a subjective matter. After all, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.
Personally, I found the Sunny to be a decent looking sedan from certain angles and a plain Jane from certain others. The headlights look like stretched out cousins of the unit found on the Micra, whereas the tail-lamps appear very trendy and contemporary, making the car look very modern at the rear. It may not look as trendy, but the front end looks mature just like any other Nissan sedan. The chrome finish accentuating the grille surely gives it a touch of class, which will appeal to many Indians. The front end has a mix of curves and angular edges that lend the car a decent overall look. One aspect that is sure to impress most is the flowing coupé-like roof-line that gels in perfectly with the rear of the car. It gives the Sunny a sporty stance when viewed from certain angles. Nissan say that the car is meant for a family man who enjoys his outing with his wife and kids on a weekend.
The InTerIorSubtle and grey. These about sum up the interior of the Sunny. Stepping inside the Sunny felt like getting into a new variant of the Micra, because much of the dashboard has been borrowed from that hatchback. The round air-conditioner vents and the circular climate control hark back to the Micra. However, the audio system and the central a-c vents are new. These are finished in black with silver at the edges for a classy look. The plastic quality appears good, but there is an excessive use of grey shades in the cabin, which makes the atmosphere a bit gloomy. It would have been better if a mix of bright colours had been used here. Nevertheless, most customers would appreciate the interior for its spaciousness. The cabin is quite airy and roomy with good leg space, knee and head room and comfortable seats, though the rear seats lack thigh support.
The DrIve
In the Sunny, Nissan prove that the V-platform is indeed versatile, because the drive is very different from the Micra’s, although that car is also based on the same platform. The engineers have tweaked the chassis and suspension to give the Sunny a proper sedan character. They have increased the wheelbase, widened the track and shod the car with wider tyres to improve its stability. However, when you point its nose into a corner, the car feels a little nervous. The suspension set-up is ideal for the city and the ride quality is very good at low speeds. Once you gather speed, however, the ride becomes a little bouncy and the car does not feel as planted as it should. Besides, tyre noise starts creeping into the cabin at speeds over 80 km/h, below which the cabin is very quiet.
Although the Sunny’s 1.5-litre engine is refined and smooth and has enough juice to cruise effortlessly on the higher side of 80 km/h, this car is not meant for enthusiasts looking for some fun. The bottom and mid-range power is exceptional, but the suspension and an uncommunicative steering act as spoilsport at higher speeds. The brakes are efficient, giving ample bite and feel. Overall, the ride quality is quite decent for a car meant for the city.
The ConClusIon
The Sunny will have been out in the market by the time you buy this copy of Car India. Nissan have understandably timed its launch to coincide with the festive season with a view to attracting as many customers as possible. Besides, this sedan has been priced very aggressively – starting at Rs 5.78 lakh (ex-showroom) for the base model and going up to Rs 7.68 lakh for the top-end one. This makes it an able competitor in the entry-level mid-size sedan segment. As of now the Sunny will be available with only a 1.5-litre petrol motor, although Nissan do not rule out the possibility of a diesel variant some time later. The Sunny is surely here to stay and with a competitive price-tag we believe that it will create a stir in its segment.
