Item: Used Nissan Primera Hatchback 1996 - 2002
Author: Steve Huntingford

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<p dir="ltr">Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.</p>


NISSAN

PRIMERA

<p>The Nissan Primera is a practical, sporty family car in a plain wrapper</p>


Used Nissan Primera Hatchback 1996 - 2002

<p>No second mortgage required here. The Primera is very cheap to buy these days, especially given the way it drives, handles family life and just keeps on going.</p>

<p>Warranty Direct says Nissans are among the cheapest cars to fix, and scheduled servicing will be easy on the wallet, too. Reckon to pay about the same as you would for most other mainstream family cars, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/vectra/hatchback/used-review/n700">Vauxhall Vectra</a>. Take it to a good independent garage, rather than a franchised dealer, and you can expect to shave a quarter off the labour bill, according to Warranty Direct.</p>

<p>Other running costs are equally tame. The 1.6 and 1.8 petrols are capable of 38-39mpg, the 2.0 petrols 32-36mpg and the diesel around 42mpg.</p>

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The Nissan Primera is a practical, sporty family car in a plain wrapper

<p>There isn't much of a price gap between the hatch and saloon, so we'd take the hatch. We'd also look for an SE or Sport version; the entry-level E trim and the GX are pretty basic. SE equips you with everything you need for safe, comfortable family motoring, while Sport adds a splash of aluminium in the cabin and smart alloy wheels.</p>

<p>GT versions are well kitted out and have a 150bhp 2.0-litre engine for warm-hatch pace (0-60mph in 8.8sec, 136mph). It's a good car, but we wouldn't pay the extra over the standard 138bhp 2.0, which is our pick. With the manual gearbox, it's perky, eager to rev and quite frugal. Avoid the thirsty, sluggish CVT (continuously variable transmission) auto gearbox, though.</p>

<p>The willing 1.8 is a good second choice and as easy on the juice as the tardy 1.6. There's also a tough, fuel-efficient, if noisy, 2.0 diesel.</p>

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

<p>Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.</p>

<p>The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;</p>

Family

<p>Take a bow, Sunderland. The people at Nissan's factory there built the Primera to run and run, so it's generally a tough bit of kit and solidly screwed together. A good service history is still very desirable, though.</p>

<p>Claims made by Warranty Direct customers are almost exclusively for electrical, suspension and axle faults. The climate control is an area of particular concern, so give that a proper test because it will be pricey to fix.</p>

<p>Watch out for tyres that have worn unevenly, too, since that can be a sign of suspension trouble. On the test drive, be wary of clonks and make sure the car tracks straight, corners tidily and has a little give over bumps.</p>

<p>Alloy wheels, where fitted, are known to have a corrosion problem. And, 1.6 and 1.8 models built in 2001 had a fault that caused them to stall. A recall should have sorted it, but check.</p>

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<p>It's often overlooked, but a used Nissan Primera makes a fine low-cost family car, provided you can live with the bland styling and aren't interested in impressing the neighbours.</p>

<p>You can fit a couple of six-footers in the back, and this hatchback version is even more practical than the saloon that might tempt you. Up front, there's no shortage of space, most people will find the driving position comfortable and the dull-looking dashboard is easy to use.</p>

<p>It's all well built, too, and the quality of materials is a cut above the contemporary <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/mondeo/hatchback/review/n15">Ford Mondeo</a>'s. You get a decent amount of kit, too.</p>

<p>So the Primera is very family friendly, and the driver will like it. It's an involving drive and the petrol engines rev willingly. However, the diesel is short of refinement, the ride is firm and, on a motorway trip, it gets on your nerves.</p>

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Used Nissan Primera Hatchback 1996 - 2002 review

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