Nissan Pulsar 2015 review

Forget the baseball cap-on-backwards, tatt-toting, doof-doof music-crazy drongo. Believe it or not, there are people out there who want to drive a pumped-up little car without appearing to show off.

The Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan ticks the boxes of a perky performer with restrained exterior and quality yet unremarkable interior; in effect, a practical package with a stack of luggage space.

Following the comeback of the Pulsar SSS hot hatch, the SSS sedan heralds the introduction of the Pulsar Series II, with the car taking the place of the Pulsar Ti in the model line-up, enjoying the same specification but with the addition of the 1.6-litre DIG (direct injection gasoline) turbo engine, SSS body kit and rear park assist.

While the price of the outgoing Ti was $29,990 plus on-roads, the Pulsar SSS sedan is priced from $26,990 for the manual version and $29,290 for the automatic.

The Pulsar ST-L sedan gains satellite navigation with 5.8-inch touchscreen, reversing camera with guidelines and Bluetooth audio streaming, all the while receiving a price reduction of $1200 from the manufacturer's list price.

Additional value has also been added to the Pulsar hatch range, highlighted by a $3800 reduction in the manufacturer's list price (MLP) of the Pulsar SSS hatch. The ST-L gains rear park assist while also receiving a price cut of $1600. The Pulsar ST-S hatch has been discontinued.

Design

Despite its own body kit, the Pulsar SSS sedan fails to mix it with warm-hatch rivals with their chiselled looks, flash colours and fancy wheels. Restraint is the catchword.

However, the Pulsar SSS sedan's plain appearance sees it hold the surprise element at the traffic lights when, thanks to turbo power, it sees off sportier-looking machines.

Those who like thunder with their lightning are destined to be disappointed with the Pulsar SSS

The illusion is maintained on the inside with the most unspectacular décor consisting of hard plastic surfaces, subdued colour, flat seats lacking support and a generally drab ambience.

On the plus side, there is plenty of space for shoulders and knees and driver visibility is good. Then there is the cavernous 510L boot, a third more room than the Pulsar hatchback. It manages that with a full-size spare aboard. 

Features

Pulsar SSS sedan has a 5.8-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and rear-view camera with guidelines, six-speaker sound system and Bluetooth connectivity.

Engines / Transmissions

Highlight of the new SSS is the engine, a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol pumping out 140kW at 5600rpm and 240Nm at 2000rpm, which replaces the 1.8-litre motor of the displaced Ti.

This can either be connected to a six-speed manual gearbox, or a continuously variable automatic transmission for those prepared to pay almost $3000 more. 

Safety

Six airbags are on board and there's an extensive line-up of active safety technology – anti-locking brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, plus vehicle dynamic and traction control.

Driving

Those who like thunder with their lightning are destined to be disappointed with the Pulsar SSS. With 140kW on tap, the car fairly skips along, but fails to exhibit aural attitude like some of its sportier rivals.

Softer suspension settings and light steering feel also add blandness to the driving experience, but keep occupants in comfort even on bad surfaces unlike some rivals would serve up to passengers. 

The six-speed manual gearbox was not so accommodating, the driver having to contend with the two-three/five change-up misstep occurring a couple of times on test.

Over the period, the sedan regularly exceeded 8.0L/100km fuel consumption over a mix of city and open-road driving.