Nissan Primera Hatchback (02 - 06) review

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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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.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here