Used Nissan Primera Hatchback 2002 - 2006 review
The Nissan Primera is a decent family car that's great value and enjoyable to drive
- Nissan Primera Hatchback (02 - 06)
What's the used Nissan Primera like?
The Nissan Primera may not be quite as sharp to drive as a Ford Mondeo, but it isn't far off. It handles nicely through the bends, with plenty of grip and taut body control, yet it also smooths out bumps at higher speeds.
The steering is overly light, though, and the ride is firm around town. However, all the engines are crisp, rev cleanly and work well with the standard manual gearbox.
Pros
- It has a roomy cabin and distinctive looks
Cons
- The ride is firm and the boot is too narrow
On the motorway, it's a generally refined cruiser. However, there is a bit of wind noise, and the CVT auto (continuously variable transmission) can make the engine sound rowdy under hard acceleration.
The well-built cabin is a roomy five-seater, with the rear bench sited slightly higher than the front seats for an airier feel. The driving position is comfortable and, while the big boot is a useful size, it has an irritating narrow opening.
Tips & Advice
Our recommendations
Which used Nissan Primera should I buy?
You could go for a saloon, but Nissan ditched it from the line-up in mid-2004 and we prefer this five-door anyway. There's no difference in how they drive and the hatch is handier.
You won't go wrong with any of the engines: a 114bhp 1.8 petrol, 138bhp 2.0 petrol and 2.2 turbodiesel (124bhp from 2002, then 136bhp from March 2003).
We like the diesel's pull and economy, but it's more pricey than the petrols. Of those, the 2.0 is refined and strong, but the 1.8 is keen, more frugal and cheaper, which means it's the one we'd go for.
Basic S trim means climate control, six airbags and electric front windows. SE adds alloys, electric rear windows and a better CD, so this is the trim we'd look for, and ignore SVE, even though it includes sat-nav. A display screen controls the stereo, climate control and, where fitted, sat-nav and rear parking camera.
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