Powerful and refined turbo-diesel; family-friendly interior space; European driving dynamics
No automatic transmission or seven seat options
Made in Britain, designed in Europe, spacious inside, priced under $30,000 and fuel economy of 4.5l/100kms – family buyers have we got your attention? It’s the new Nissan Dualis TS – the turbo-diesel powered version the Dualis range always needed.
Carshowroom.com.au has always scored high marks for the Nissan Dualis – we like the looks, the roomy, practical interior and the driving dynamics. But just a quick glance at rivals in the compact SUV segment tells you the Dualis lineup hasn’t been complete until now with the turbo-diesel version on-sale.
Nissan Dualis TS Overview
Nissan offers the Dualis TS in one model grade – six-speed manual transmission, front-wheel-drive and equivalent to the ST model (petrol) for specifications and features. Priced at $29,990, the Dualis TS and ST miss-out on the leather seats, 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control air-con and auto headlights and wipers of the more luxurious range-topping Ti-L model.
As a family wagon, the Nissan Dualis gets the job done nicely, embarrassing many rivals with handy rear seat space and plenty of cargo room. And, like all Nissan SUVs, you get the impression the interior is tough enough to handle the worst the youngsters can throw at it.
Nissan Dualis TS Engine
The Dualis TS marks the local debut of Nissan’s Euro 5-compliant 1.6-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Later this year, the funky Nissan Juke crossover arrives and while specification details haven’t been released, British versions employ yet another turbo-diesel – a 1.5-litre version (thanks to the alliance with Renault, Nissan is awash with available diesel powerplants).
With 96kw of power at 4000rpm and very handy peak torque of 320Nm from just 1750rpm, the 1.6-litre is nicely mated to the Dualis and, driving through a slick-shifting six-speed manual, delivers handy acceleration in both low and mid-range, accompanied by impressive levels of refinement at all speeds.
Combined cycle fuel consumption is rated at 4.5-litres so, with a 65-litre fuel tank, the Nissan Dualis TS provides a handy range between refills. Towing capacity is 1400kgs (braked trailer).
Nissan Dualis TS The Interior
Dualis TS is identical to Dualis ST petrol inside. Buyers in this category demand the high seating position inherent with most SUVs and Nissan Dualis delivers. Combined with rake/reach adjustment for the nicely-sized and styled three-spoke steering wheel a comfortable – but not sporty – driving position delivers that required good forward visibility.
Conventional instruments with Nissan’s hallmark crisp white graphics are housed in a compact curved binnacle and to the left is the five-inch colour touchscreen for audio (six speakers with the usual connectivity), satellite navigation and reversing camera. Yep, at $29,990 the Nissan Dualis TS provides sat nav and reversing camera.
There’s ample storage bins in the centre console and the round air-vents look good and work well. Those vents and the ‘chunky’ look for indicator and wiper stalks show the Dualis is right up there in terms of contemporary automotive interior design.
Bases for the rear seats are actually lower than the fronts – but visibility is still good and of course, the interior designers worked with the Dualis’ sloping roofline to provide adequate rear-seat headroom.
Luggage space in the Nissan Dualis leaves most rivals in the shade and the rear seat split-folds 60/40 for cargo versatility.
Nissan Dualis TS Exterior & Styling
No styling changes for Nissan Dualis’ first diesel model. At 4330mm in length (2630mm wheelbase), 1783mm in width and standing 1606mm high, the Dualis must surely be borderline mid-size in its dimensions. In fact we had a Ford Kuga in our driveway at the same time as the Dualis and the Kuga is in the ‘Medium’ SUV category…the size difference is minimal to say the least.
We still like the raked three-window side and sporty-looking front-end of the Dualis – the latter with the contemporary large Nissan badge, slick-looking fog-lights and practical black leading edge for fascia.
With a drag Cd of 0.33 the whole package is reasonably aerodynamic and the low-opening rear tailgate will be appreciated by families.
Nissan Dualis TS On The Road
Nissan Dualis rides on the MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels familiar with this Nissan platform. At 1407kgs, the TS version is no lightweight, but Nissan UK has the chassis set-up well to cater for European markets.
That means good dynamics highlighted by firmish ride, flat cornering and a planted feel even when pressing-on in the twists.
And compared to the 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre petrol version, the 96kW/320Nm turbo-diesel is a much livelier proposition when you crack the whip. At low to medium engine speeds, the Nissan Dualis TS delivers an impressive urge when accelerating out of corners or when merging into freeway traffic. Pleasingly that grunt doesn’t come at the expense of refinement and, like most contemporary European turbo-diesels, Nissan’s 1.6-litre is nicely quiet even when working hard while cold.
In the city, Nissan Dualis TS’ standard reversing camera and small 10.6-metre turning circle got the job done in tight parking spaces. Nissan is to be commended for including the camera (and satellite navigation) as standard in a sub-$30,000 SUV - but having reverse parking sensors on the options list isn’t so commendable.
Nissan Dualis TS Challenges
We baffled why the family-friendly Dualis TS isn’t offered with an automatic transmission or in the seven seat ‘Dualis + 2’ configuration.
Nissan Dualis TS Verdict
Turbo-diesel fuel economy and front-wheel-drive; there’s no doubt about Nissan’s intent with the Dualis TS – family wagon buyers. And with that $29,990 sticker there’s no doubt Nissan has the pricing at the pointy end of the field.
We’ve been to Nissan’s British plant in Sunderland – it annually rates as one of the world’s best operations for quality. And, thanks to cars like the Dualis, Juke and Micra, Nissan is set to maintain its stature as one of the biggest sellers in Britain and Europe.
The Dualis then is a European Nissan and for Aussie buyers that means nice design, a smart and spacious interior and sharp driving dynamics. Now with the TS you can add turbo-diesel performance and fuel economy to the mix.
All things considered, if we’re buying a diesel-powered small SUV, the Nissan Dualis TS would definitely be on our list.
Nissan Dualis TS The Competition
Although priced at $34,990, you get a lot of car for your coin in the Hyundai ix35 SE CRDi. The 135kW/392Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel drives all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission - while not as dynamic as the Nissan Dualis in the twisty stuff the iX35 is more than competent.
Starting price for Mitsubishi’s new ASX turbo-diesel is $31,990. Again it’s all-wheel-drive and automatic, but a tad smaller inside than the Dualis.
Volkswagen’s Tiguan is selling-up a storm in this segment and shows-off Volkswagen’s hallmark quality and slick interiors. You’ll need $35,990 for the entry-level turbo-diesel – the 103TDI with its 103kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, six-speed manual and all-wheel-drive traction. The Tiguan doesn’t match the Nissan Dualis for cargo capacity.
