Nissan Dualis review

The Dualis provides a good driving experience, with low noise levels and ride comfort emerging as its greatest strengths. The handling isn’t the sharpest in this sector, but most buyers won’t be put off. Economy is good too with the 1.5-litre dCi engine registering 74mpg, rivalling the most economical family cars on the market.

Inside, the Dualis is spacious and the build quality is decent, although the overall design isn’t as interesting as some rivals. Those who can recall the seven-seater Dualis+2 may be disappointed with the current Dualis, which is only available with five seats. For seven-seat capacity, buyers should consider the larger Nissan X-Trail as an alternative.

Nissan Dualis n-tec dCi 110 6-speed manual

It was ten years ago that Nissan stopped selling conventional family cars, like the Primera and Almera, and instead launched a raised up hatchback with rugged SUV styling. It was soon dubbed the ‘crossover’, and took the world by storm.

Rival carmakers scrambled to catch up, offering their own crossover in the hope of stealing Nissan’s market share. But none succeded, and the Dualis continued to fly out of showrooms. Over 2.3 million have been built to date. 

The Dualis Mk2 arrived in 2013, and it went even further down the off-road path, with bigger dimensions designed to deliver greater practicality and comfort. Nissan also added some new electronics to boost its driving ability and stop it becoming a soft SUV, while also enhancing its safety credentials.

The Dualis has now been updated for 2017, with revised styling, improvements in interior quality and new equipment. There is also minor revisions to the way it drives, while a new high-end trim level pushes it further upmarket.

While the Dualis was introduced as a replacement for the Almera and Primera, thereby eliminating Nissan’s conventional car line-up, it has since been joined by the Pulsar hatchback. However, it’s clear that the Dualis is the more popular vehicle. The success of the Dualis has seen Nissan launch another smaller crossover in the shape of the pioneering Juke, while the seven-seat version has taken the X-Trail name, replacing Nissan’s more rugged SUV in the process.

There are five well-equipped trims available: Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna and the new flagship Tekna +. All models come with Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and auto high beam. Acenta adds auto lights and wipers, climate control, ambient interior lights and 17-inch wheels, while N-Connecta comes with the Nissan Connect seven-inch touchscreen sat-nav, with smartphone apps and a reversing camera. Tekna models feature roof rails, heated leather seats, a 360 degree camera and a self-parking function, with Tekna+ models gaining a panoramic glass roof, electric memory seats, a Bose sound system and 3D quilted leather. 

Of the four engines on offer, two are petrol and two are diesel.  The 113bhp 1.2 DiG-T petrol and 108bhp 1.5 dCi diesel are available across the range, but the two larger engines, the 161bhp 1.6 DiG-T petrol and 128bhp 1.6 dCi diesel can’t be had in entry-level Visia trim. Nissan offers an Xtronic CVT automatic gearbox with the 1.2 petrol and 1.6 diesel, although it’s not as slick as the normal or dual-clutch ‘boxes on rivals. Four-wheel drive is reserved for the 1.6 dCi diesel manual in N-Connecta trim and above.

Rivals for the Dualis have grown in recent years. The main models worth considering, and which are better than the Nissan in some respects, are the Peugeot 3008, Renault Kadjar, SEAT Ateca, Toyota C-HR and Mazda CX-5. Other models to check out include the Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Kuga and Honda CR-V, although these are more expensive. Then there are the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, which have attractive seven and five-year warranties respectively.

Engines, performance and drive

Low noise levels and a comfortable ride, though it’s not the sharpest drive in the crossover class.

The original Nissan Dualis was surprisingly fun to drive, but the current model takes a more mature approach. Levels of noise and vibration in the cabin have been vastly improved, with much less intrusion from the road and engine noise making its way inside – particularly on the highway.

The electrically assisted steering is direct and surprisingly weighty in feel, while grip is plentiful. Nissan’s Active Trace Control applies the brakes on individual wheels to help you stick to your chosen cornering line, but it feels as if the car never quite settles once you’ve turned in, while there’s not much grip on offer. A SEAT Ateca is sharper in the bends, while the Peugeot 3008 and Mazda CX-5 feel more direct and agile, too.

For 2017, the suspension and steering have been revised and retuned to improve stability and settle the ride a bit more, while the Active Ride Control system has also been tweaked. The changes are subtle; noise levels have been reduced further making it respectably refined, while new Active Return Control tech makes the steering feel a bit more natural. 

The Dualis features Nissan’s Active Engine Brake function, which reduces jerkiness in the transmission when you lift off the throttle. Plus, the Body Motion Control technology constantly dabs the brakes to smooth out body movement over bumps. It works well, particularly at low speed, although hit a series of small imperfections and it’s less composed.

This is rarely a problem around town, where the high driving position, light controls and decent visibility make the Nissan easy to navigate through crowded streets. Unfortunately, only the range-topping Tekna gets park assist (which steers the car into parking spaces) and a 360-degree camera system.

Engines

The diesel engines available on the Nissan Dualis come from sister company Renault. Although the 108bhp 1.5-litre diesel dCi has been around for a while, constant development means it revs smoothly and noise levels are subdued at idle. Its real strength comes in the excellent real-world economy it returns, though.

The engine delivers decent performance, too, and feels more lively on the road, thanks to the combination of prompt throttle response and the precise six-speed gearbox’s well-chosen ratios.

Elsewhere in the engine range Nissan offers a 128bhp 1.6-litre dCi diesel, a 1.2-litre DIG-T petrol and a 1.6-litre DIG-T petrol. The 1.6 dCi and 1.2 DIG-T units are offered with a choice of the standard 6-speed manual gearbox or the Xtronic auto – a CVT that shifts smoothly and keeps engine noise down. The 1.6-litre DIG-T offers 161bhp and is the Dualis’s quickest engine with a 0-62mpg time of 9.1s.

The 1.6-litre diesel is the Dualis’s most satisfying engine with strong mid-range torque and a 0-62mph time of 9.9s compared to 11.9s in the 1.5 dCi models. It’s also the only unit offered with the Dualis’s All Mode 4×4 set-up, though you can have it without. If you want to take your Dualis off-road, it’s the only choice but it does come with a price and fuel economy penalty and the majority of owners will find the 1.5 dCi 2WD car perfectly adequate most of the time.

The 1.2 DIG-T unit is relatively refined, but it’s not very quick. Flat-out performance in family crossovers isn’t a selling point, but in the higher gears between 50 and 70mph the Dualis’s engine feels strained. The DIG-T unit isn’t especially eager to pull, so you have to work the gearbox relatively hard, which isn’t particularly pleasurable because the shift action is light but spongy, so gearchanges don’t feel precise.

Interior, design and technology 

Latest Dualis has sharper, more grown-up looks than the original, and cabin quality is boosted for 2017

One thing’s for certain: the second-generation Nissan Dualis looks far more upmarket than the original model. The overall shape is typical crossover, with a raised ride height, roof rails and black plastic trim giving a familiar rugged off-roader look.

Up front, the Nissan Dualis has been revised for 2017, with a sharp nose inspired by the latest Micra, angular headlamps (with full LED tech on some models) and distinctive LED running lights, while the twin chrome bars on the grille add a touch of class. At the back, the tweaked LED tail-lamps wrap around the corners of the car and on to the tailgate.

New, more vibrant colour choies are available, too. On top-of-the-range Nissan Dualis Tekna models, 19-inch wheels come as standard, while Acenta cars get 17-inch alloys.

Inside, the Nissan looks smart, if a little sober, and feels well built. There are cowled dials and a full-colour trip computer display, while coloured ambient lighting on the centre console and gloss black trim on the dashboard give an upmarket feel.

Material quality is boosted for 2017, with a plusher feel to the materials and some higher grade leather on top trims. It’s up there with the best for perceived fit-and-finish, although the centre console and touchscreen infotainment is a bit dated now compared to the high-tech Peugeot 3008. The optional panoramic glass roof doesn’t open fully, though it lets in plenty of light. Choosing Acenta trim over the Tekna means you have to forego leather for cloth.

The Nissan Dualis Acenta comes with decent levels of kit, including climate control, Bluetooth and automatic lights and wipers. However, you’ll have to fork out £495 for front and rear parking sensors and a whole load of other safety gear, while sat-nav isn’t an option – you’ll have to upgrade to the n-tec version for this desirable kit.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The infotainment system is one of the main areas where the Dualis is being left in its rivals’ wake. There’s only a five-inch colour touchscreen as standard.

This doesn’t improve the low-rent graphics, though, or the occasionally laggy menus, while there aren’t the connectivity options of more modern crossovers such as the Ateca. It’s fine, but the systems on rivals feel a couple of years more up-to-date.

The Nissan’s system was developed in an age before Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, so Bluetooth music streaming is the only highlight. There’s also the NissanConnect smartphone app, which at least gives users access to apps such as Facebook, TripAdvisor and Google search. 

New for 2017 is the option of a punchy Bose eight-speaker sound system. It’s standard on Tekna + grade, although Nissan hasn’t yet released the option price for other variants. 

Practicality, comfort and boot space

The Dualis is a spacious and comfortable family crossover – although it no longer has the biggest boot around

When the latest Dualis first arrived in 2014, it was one of the more practical crossovers in its class. Now, though, a glut of newer rivals has usurped the Sunderland-built car for outright space, meaning the Dualis is merely average in this respect now. Still, visibility is good and the boot floor is versatile.

The seven-seater Nissan Dualis +2 is no more – customer feedback suggested it wasn’t a necessary variant. Anyone wanting seven seats will have to opt for the Nissan X-Trail nstead.

Size

The Nissan Dualis is 4,377mm long and 2,070mm wide including the wing mirrors. That makes it slightly smaller than the Kia Sportage and similar to the SEAT Ateca. It’s a touch lower than both cars, too. 

Compared to a typical family hatchback like the Ford Focus, the Dualis is doesn’t offer much more outright room. The key difference is the extra height that’s such a central part of the crossover’s appeal. Where the Focus stands 1,469mm tall, the Dualis towers 1,590mm off the tarmac, this extra translates to easier access and an elevated driving position.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Overall, there’s still decent legroom in the rear and the transmission tunnel doesn’t intrude on the middle-seat passenger’s foot space. Three adults could manage short journeys in relative comfort back there.

The higher spec Nissan Dualis models have a panoramic glass roof, which cuts into headroom. There’s more space in models without this addition, but the combination of small side windows and black trim makes the Dualis’s rear cabin a little dark. Rivals like the Toyota C-HR suffer from similar problems, though. 

As you’d expect of a car aimed at families, the interior is packed full of useful storage. There’s a large glovebox and several cubbies that are perfect for odds and ends. An electric handbrake also frees up the centre console for extra stowage and cup-holders.

Boot

The Dualis’s 430-litre luggage area is well-shaped, and also features a flat loading lip and base, plus it benefits from a clever false floor that doubles as a boot divider. Fold the rear bench seat flat and the capacity increases to 1,585 litres. Better still, there’s a compartment under the boot floor for storing the parcel shelf.

However, these features don’t disguise the fact that a number of new models – from the 3008, to the Ateca, CX-5 and Sportage, offer greater capacity with the seats up. 

Towing

The maximum braked trailer towing capacity of the Nissan Dualis ranges from 1,000kg up to 1,800kg, depending on the engine and the choice between front- or four-wheel drive. The 1.2-litre turbo engine and the Xtronic automatic gearbox combine with the front-wheel drive transmission to deliver the lowest towing capacities while the most powerful 1.6 DCi diesel engine with a manual gearbox offers that 1,800kg maximum in 4×4 or front-wheel drive guises.

Reliability and Safety

Dualis safety technology is comprehensive, although reliability scores aren’t the best.

Nissan has improved things with its Safety Shield technology, which features heavily in the new Dualis. It comprises clever features like front collision avoidance (autonomous braking), lane departure warning, drowsiness detection, blind spot warning and traffic sign recognition. There are even cameras to help you park and detect moving objects behind the car when you’re reversing – the Dualis will park itself, too.

For 2017, the Nissan added rear-cross traffic alert, which warns you if there’s traffic behind you when reversing out of a space. The autonomous braking system was also upgraded with the addition of pedestrian detection.