Nissan Tiida

0-100 km/h: 10,60 seconds Top speed: 188 km/h Power: 80 kw Torque: 153 N.m CO2: 174 g/km Fuel consumption: 8,68 L/100 km (fuel index)

The Tiida uses an extended platform shared by the Nissan Micra and Renault Modus. Being taller than most sedans and hatches of the time, it almost fits into a crossover genre. It may not sport the best Italian styling or come in a range of pretty colours but don’t write it off just yet. The sedan’s boot lid, for example, could have been styled by a certain controversial Mr. Bangle but it hides lots of luggage space. Tiida – second i and all – means “sun” in the Okinawan language, so it fits right into the Nissan Sunny theme, a vehicle it effectively replaced. We knew the first Datsun Sunnys as the 1000 and 1200 in sedan and bakkie forms back in the 1970s. These culminated in the Nissan 1400 Champ that remains a common sight on our roads today. In South America, the Tiida was badged as a Dodge Trazo from a collaboration with Chrysler.

When launched, the spec versions included Visia, Visia+ and Acenta. Whoever thinks up these weird designations should be kept secret for fear of reprisal … but the differences revolve around the inclusion of ABS and an audio system. Visia does without these while the top-spec Acenta adds a useful feature: a sliding rear seat to adjust legroom and luggage space according to your needs. Although criticised as old-fashioned in our test, the facia layout is neat and functional with a built-in CD player, easy-to-reach air-conditioning and lots of storage bins. A much-appreciated modern item, steering wheel-mounted controls, is absent.

A fuel index of 8,68 L/100 km was satisfactory when compared with the Tiida’s rivals and the bulletproof 1,6-litre engine used in several models is a proven success. Here, it produces 80 kw and has a good torque flow of 153 N.m, peaking at 4 300 r/min. Combined with a quickacting five-speed gearbox, it provides sprightly acceleration to 100 km/h in just over 10 seconds. A four-speed autobox is available only in the sedan. Because most models were sedans and thanks to lots of fleet sales, there are more sedans than hatches on the market.