Test drive Nissan Tiida
There is some truth in this too; tiida means ever-changing tide in Japanese. The real truth about Tiida is actually hidden behind the word "traditional" - it best describes the meaning and direction of the new Nissan.
New? Tiida is a new product only for European markets, it has been known all over the world for a year or more. In Japan and the United States, it is called the Versa, otherwise it is the same car.
It was designed in Japan, made for European needs in Mexico, but in order to suit local drivers, habits and roads, it was slightly adapted for Europe: it was given different, stiffer springs, it received different shock absorbers (changed characteristic), they have changed. steering performance (electric power steering!), improved sound comfort, added a turbodiesel engine to the offering and gave it a more ridiculous look - with a different engine mask and a different bumper.
Officially, Tiida is the replacement for Almera and takes over its customers - traditionalists in the broadest sense of the word. People who can't identify with may indeed already be forced to abandon traditional design paths. Even if the direction the Note, Qashqai and many others are heading is the right one, there are still a small number of buyers interested in a car with a classic exterior. Time.
So whoever stinks of Tiida's appearance is at least partly mistaken - Tiida is like that on purpose. It is possible, true, that it could be different, but still classical in its essence. Well, Nissan says it has Nota design elements, Qashqai and even a 350Z coupe. Some are clearly visible, others need to be well looked for, but it is true that the Tiida is recognizable by Nissan precisely because of these elements.
It was built above platform B of the house, that is, the one over which smaller cars (Micra, Clio) are built, but since the platform is designed flexibly, this was also sufficient for the larger Tiido class. Moreover: Tiida with 2603 millimeters between the axles (like the Note!) Has a more spacious interior in terms of internal dimensions than many cars of the middle (that is, even larger class) class; with a length of 1 meter (from the accelerator pedal to the back of the rear seat) longer than the class average (81 meters), and presumably longer than, for example, the Vectra and Passat.
This is Tiida's strongest virtue: spaciousness. The seats, for example, are placed very far out (towards the door) to make the current one sit on them as easily as possible, and for their class they are also quite high off the ground. In general, the seats are generous - even on the rear sofa, which is divided into thirds, and in the five-door version, the backrest (tilt) can be adjusted and moved 24 cm in the longitudinal direction. That's why a 300-liter to 425-liter trunk with five seats is available in the base, depending on the position of the bench. In the four-door body, the bench is divided, but not longitudinally movable, but due to the body, which is a good 17 centimeters longer, there is a 500-liter opening in the rear.
Learn more about sizing and comfort. All side doors open wide and the rear (on both bodies) cuts deep into the C-pillar at the top, making it easier to enter again. Next comes seating comfort: the seats are relatively hard, which is good for extended seating, but the surfaces that passengers often touch are pleasantly soft, thanks of course to the materials chosen. And what is important: there are quite a few boxes inside for storing small things, even for bottles.
Thus, the bodies are two-, four- and five-door, which technically and visually differ only in the rear half, but there are always four doors on the sides. There aren't many choices in engines either, with two petrol and one turbodiesel. Gasoline is Nissan; the smaller one (1.6) is already known (note), the larger one (1.8) is a new development based on the smaller one, and both feature reduced friction, precise workmanship (tolerances), an improved intake and exhaust system, and an improved injection system. . The turbodiesel is Renault, also known from other Renault-Nissan models, but otherwise common rail direct injection (Siemens). This technology also highlights improved sound deadening and drive mounts for greater passenger comfort.
Okay, technically and philosophically, Tiida is the replacement for Almera; however, since the Primera is also about to go, the Tiida has also proved to be the (current until new, if new) replacement for the Primera. However, especially with the Qashqai and Note present here (if we stay only at Nissan), the Tiida is basically not hitting the same sales numbers as the Almera, as it won't even be sold in all European countries. markets.
In general, the Tiida is a rather specific car, which in philosophy is a bit like the Dacia Logan, but is trying to get closer to its competitor Auris, as well as Astra, Corolla, maybe even Civic and others. If you can read between the lines, that also means how much Tiida will cost. Our dealer announces the starting price for the five-door version, the 1-litre engine and the basic Visia equipment package at just under €6.
There are ten body colors, the interior can be chosen in black or beige, there are three sets of equipment. There is nothing shocking about the equipment, standard and optional, but the equipment seems to be sufficient - especially for the target group we talk about all the time. The base Visia has four airbags, ABS, an electric package, a height-adjustable driver's seat, manual air conditioning, and a steering wheel audio system with Bluetooth.
Nowadays in the automotive industry, traditionalism seems to be backward. But no matter how you imagine traditionalism, there will always be car buyers who love it. And that's why Tiida is here.
First impression
Appearance 2/5
Very discreet, but deliberately due to customers not looking for modern curves.
Engines 3/5
Technically modern, there is nothing shocking behind the wheel, but they cover most of the requirements of potential buyers.
Interior and equipment 3/5
The exterior styled look is perhaps one step ahead of him. The equipment packages are interesting, but only the most expensive are really perfect.
Price 2/5
At first glance, this is quite a lot for a car, where you need to understand its purpose well.
First class 4/5
A car that doesn't feel like “something special” because it is exactly what it wants to be. Classic forms inside and out, but exceptional spaciousness, decent technology and good equipment.
Vinko Kernc, photo :? Vinko Kernc
