Test: Nissan Pulsar - no standard scheme of the compact class

After several attempts between 1978 and 2006, the car maker from Nippon starts with the new Pulsar in the compact class. Nissan wants to provide its customers with a vehicle that not only meets their requirements, but also remains attractively priced. A combination of large space, beautiful design, trendy assistance systems and powerful but economical engines was the norm. His family affiliation, the representative from Nippon can not disguise. On the contrary: the front leads him optically close to the models Qashqai and X-Trail. We were able to thoroughly test the 1,5-liter diesel. With a list price of 17.990 Euro, the compact from Japan with the smallest gasoline engine starts moderately in the German market.

Nissan launches new in the compact class with the notchback Pulsar

Test: Nissan Pulsar 1.5 dCi, Acenta

It only takes a moment to notice how well the Pulsar 1.5 dCi Diesel not only potholes and bumps on the road, but that he can move safely even in evasive maneuvers. High stability and comfortable handling should be considered a hallmark of the compact. The power steering also provides good feedback thanks to good geometry and new software calibration, and improves stability on both straight and curved roads alike. So the vehicle looks good even when driving straight ahead. Through a dynamic vote, it also irritates to fast cornering. The very good characteristics of the chassis tailored to the European customer are supported by the MacPherson struts on the front axle and the compact torsion beam rear axle.

The standard consumption of 3,6 liters per 100 kilometers specified by the manufacturer cannot be fully achieved in practice. Our test car requires a good five liters. However, this is still a remarkably good value for a vehicle like the Pulsar, which cuts a fine figure as a family vehicle as well as a car with high utility value. The 1.5 dCi delivers a powerful 260 Newton meters of torque from 1750 - 2500 revolutions per minute. The power of the 110 hp engine allows the approx. 1,3 ton light car to accelerate from zero to 11,5 km / h in 100 seconds. The top is up to 190 km / h, which the compact Japanese can easily achieve. The very well translated manual six-speed manual transmission enables agile driving without looking for great gearshift paths.

With a vehicle length of 4,39 meters, the Pulsar can accommodate up to five people. The quality of the material and the workmanship correspond to a very good level. Even with full seating, the compact is not stingy when it comes to trunk volume. A maximum capacity of 385 liters is one of the good values ​​in this class. If the Pulsar driver folds down the entire rear seat, the vehicle opens up a stowage volume of a full 1395 liters.

The well-structured cockpit with its instrument panel as an eye-catcher and control center provides a generous feeling of space at the front. The already characteristic Nissan combination of controls leads inexperienced Nissan driver very fast and intuitive to the handling of navigation, telephone, media and on-board computer. Another plus is the ergonomic front seats, which can be adjusted in many ways.

The optional equipment of the assistance systems includes in the "Technology Package" a motion detection (makes it possible to detect moving objects, such as children playing in the area behind the vehicle), a Lane Keeping Assist, a Blind Spot Assist and the Around View Monitor , which displays on the screen of the navigation device a 360Gradum view of the vehicle from the helicopter perspective. The parking or parking is made extremely easier. Unfortunately, these systems are only available for an extra charge, but it is still affordable with € 800.

When it comes to optics, the designers from Nippon have tried to incorporate the first compact into the Nissan design philosophy, which suits you right away. The front with its elegant headlights, wing-shaped LED daytime running lights and the typical Nissan grill are always an eye-catcher. The rear looks visually stretched and athletic.

Nissan Pulsar 1.5 dCi, Acenta

Photos in the article and cover picture: Stefan Beckmann