Nissan Tiida ST-L

With keener pricing than ever, this small sedan is now more competitive as a comfortable, quality urban runabout. But if it's driving excitement you're after then it's best you look elsewhere...

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Road Test

Model tested: Nissan Tiida ST-L sedan
RRP: $22,240
Price as tested: $22,240
Also consider: Ford Focus CL, Honda Civic VTi, Hyundai Elantra SLX (more here), Mazda3 Neo (more here), Toyota Corolla Ascent (more here)

Overall rating: 2.5/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 2.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 2.5/5.0
X-factor: 2.5/5.0

When Nissan replaced its popular Pulsar with the Tiida early last year, the new car was destined for a rough ride. For a start, the 25-year old Pulsar nameplate had become such a strong component of Australian automotive culture that the car almost sold on its badge alone. Like Toyota's Corolla, potential small car customers instantly knew what they were getting when they went looking for a Pulsar.

While the new car was a significantly different product to the Pulsar, the decision -- forced on the local subsidiary -- to adopt the global Tiida name meant that Nissan needed to sell it 'big' as not only was it a new name, it wasn't the easiest moniker to pronounce either.

Thus Nissan spent 'big' and enlisted the services of Sex and the City star, Kim Cattrall. But whatever the new Tiida was, it certainly wasn't sexy and in hindsight, many at Nissan Oz now admit the campaign was a costly mistake. Worse still, the car was priced out of its market and subsequently failed to capture the imagination or wallets of the booming small car buying public.

Remedial action was required. And eventually, along with a change of sourcing from Japan to Thailand (and the reduction in duties that comes with the Australia-Thailand free trade agreement) Nissan relaunched the car late last year with up to a $2000 price cut. Now starting at a more competitive $17,990 as a sedan or five-door hatch, the Tiida is starting to find more buyers.

For the Carsales Network, our week-long test car took the form of the mid spec ST-L sedan which fitted with the $2250 optional four-speed automatic transmission hits the road from $22,240.

Visually, there is no denying this is a vastly different car to the Pulsar -- and the bulk of its rivals. Its relatively short, narrow and high body offers a distinctive chiselled style that for this tester varies dramatically in its appeal depending on the angle of view.

But aesthetics are always a subjective and some buyers may be attracted by its quirky looks. Its form, however, does deliver a particularly appealing function. And slipping into the well-shaped reasonably comfortable driver's seat, this becomes obvious.

Up front there is plenty of space and a well laid out and inoffensive dash with all controls sitting where you might expect them. The heating, air conditioning and audio controls are clear and easy to use and there is an abundance of storage cubbies and big door bins including a surprisingly spacious glovebox (despite the standard front passenger airbag).

There is also a very good quality single-slot CD audio system and welcome addition of cruise control -- a relative rarity in small cars -- complete with control buttons mounted on the steering wheel.

But the real surprise is when you get into the rear seat. While three adults across would be a squeeze, there is very generous head and legroom for two on the outboard seats in what must be among the biggest rear seat spaces in its class. The boot too is a good size for a compact sedan although there is no opportunity to increase load space with the back seat being a fixed one-piece affair rather than the class-standard splitfold set-up..

Safety kit too is generally high with four airbags and ABS standard, however, the lack of a centre rear three-point seatbelt is simply unforgivable in a car that purports to be a five seater!

Under the bonnet sits a 93kW/174Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which around town at suburban speeds feels quite perky and sounds quiet and refined. It is mated to an equally smooth four-speed auto transmission that shifts through the ratios without any great degree of fuss.

The ride is definitely tuned for comfort and offers plenty of suppleness to deal with the vagaries of suburban tarmac, easily absorbing the harsh edges of tram tracks, speed bumps and chopped up surfaces.

Head out of town, however, and the car's dynamic shortcomings start to become more obvious.

While the engine is a willing powerplant, peak torque isn't reached until a high 4800rpm and it needs a good hard rev to cope with overtaking or longer hills. It definitely feels strongest over about 3500rpm and will keep pulling through to 6000rpm. That said, at the top end you there's enough thrashing to let you know the engine is working hard.

The comfort bias of the suspension tune also becomes a deterrent for revelling in any sort of enthusiastic driving. Push on any more than moderately into a corner and the car starts to understeer early with plenty of squealing protestation from the skinny 185/65 15-inch Bridgestone rubber.

With its high-ish body, there is also a fair degree of lean involved and while the whole process is fairly controllable and predictable, it isn't exactly what you might call fun.

The steering does its job of turning the car but that is about the extent of it -- there's little in the way of feel or feedback.

As a comfortable, spacious, economical and seemingly well screwed together shopping trolley or urban conveyance for four, the Tiida sedan is well worth considering. However, if you fancy a decent drive as well, there are better choices in the market.