Nissan has given the Dualis what it always needed – seven seats. The new Dualis +2 combines the normal Dualis features – European style and hatchback convenience – with handy seven seat capacity.
Prices for the Dualis +2 start at $29,990 for the ST version (front wheel drive). The luxury Ti model is available as front-wheel-drive ($34,690) or all-wheel-drive ($36,890.
Compared to the standard Dualis, Dualis +2 is longer, higher, offers more legroom and knee room, plus a larger luggage capacity of 550 litres. Even the luggage loading height has been lowered by 13mm for easier loading.
Both versions of the Dualis are the work of Nissan Design Europe in Paddington, London and are manufactured at the Japanese brand’s modern plant in Sunderland, UK.
And both are powered by Nissan’s 102kW/196Nm, 2.0-litre petrol engine driving the front wheels or all four wheels (depending on the model) via a CVT (continuously variable transmission) with six-step sequential manual mode.
Dualis +2 is around 100kgs heavier than the standard Dualis and has a higher payload potential, so the brakes are larger and both the multi-link suspension and power steering settings have been recalibrated.
Parked alongside each other, the Dualis +2 is easily distinguishable from its five-seat sibling – as well as the extra dimensions, the seven-seater gains a new front grille, new front and rear doors, new side glass and a new tailgate. Even the roof is different – longer and re-styled to provide more headroom for second and third row occupants
Inside, the layout is very clever and user-friendly for families. For starters the second row seats (with reclining backrests) fold completely flat without the need to remove the headrests and this gives the Dualis +2 its 550-litre luggage capacity (that’s a very handy 110-litres more than the regular Dualis).
The entire second row seat slides for and aft for easy access to the third row and the standard full-length roller-blind cargo cover has its own under-floor storage area to keep it safe and clean when the third row is being used.
Like the regular Dualis, the Dualis +2 provides multiple storage options in its well thought-out cargo area.
Dualis +2 ST models mirror the five-door version with comprehensive standard features including air-conditioning, steering wheel mounted Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, cruise control plus and a four-speaker CD audio system with MP3 connectivity.
Dualis +2 Ti models secure 18-inch alloy wheels, a fixed panoramic glass roof with an electronically operated sun-blind, rear privacy glass, in-dash six-CD sound system, intelligent key and climate-control air-conditioning.
All-up, the Dualis +2 is a very clever vehicle that highlights Nissan’s competency in ‘Crossover’ vehicles. It’s simultaneously and handy seven-seater and a hatchback in a very stylish package with excellent European quality.
