All-New Nissan Sunny Review: A Family Car Reimagined

The car you see above is the Nissan Sunny, a car that has been around for the past 54 years, transporting families all across the globe. Back to reclaim its position as King of the Segment, let us take this all-new model out for a drive and see if it is worth its 67,900 Dirham price tag.

Drive

Now before you continue reading any further, I want you all to take a moment and forget all the negative preconceived notions about the Nissan Sunny because this all-new model is like none before it. Older models of the Sunny were no-nonsense economy sedans, which explains why they were such a favorite among rental companies, but this new one is very, very different.

Although this new model has a bigger engine, a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that produces 118 horsepower and 149 Nm to be exact, it is still much more fuel-efficient than the older car. Official figures claim 19.3 kilometers per liter, a significant jump over 15.8 kilometers per liter in the older car, and that is made possible by many factors, one of the main ones being the X-Tronic CVT transmission.

But the Sunny has always been fuel efficient, so that is unlikely to impress you. What if I were to say that the Nissan Sunny now has some of the same features found in a Nissan Patrol? Now do I have your attention?

Believe it or not, but Nissan has really upped the ante with the new Sunny, incorporating a wealth of technology including:

• Forward Collision Warning that alerts you if you get too close to the car in front.
• Intelligent Emergency Braking that applies the brakes if it senses a crash.
• Blind Spot Monitoring for safer lane changes.
• 360-degree cameras to make parking easier.

Interior

A big improvement in design, the Sunny now features a dual-tone dashboard with round A/C vents on either side, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and plenty of piano black trim along the center console. Keeping it modern and minimal, there are also two screens: a 7-inch digital screen in the instrument cluster that can be customized to show the information most relevant to you, and a 7-inch touch infotainment screen.

In the back, there is a surprising amount of space, like all Sunny’s before it, with plenty of headroom and legroom to match. There are also cup holders in the door bins, but if there's one thing I wish they did not skip out on, it would have been rear A/C vents, especially for the Middle East market.

Now if you remember, I did mention that Nissan has upped the ante with the new Sunny. To prove my point, let us discuss the comfort and convenience features that it offers. These include:

• Automatic Headlights
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Three USB ports
• Tire pressure monitoring system

Since this is the full-option model, there are additional features such as:

• Cruise Control
• Audio controls on the steering wheel
• Push-button ignition
• Wireless charger
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

All of this is available for just 67,900 Dirhams!

Exterior

From a styling perspective, the designers have replaced the bubble-y shape of the previous model with a sportier design featuring sharper lines and edges. Flaunting the brand’s new V-Motion chrome grille, the new Sunny now resembles its more expensive siblings, namely the Altima and Leaf.

The new Sunny is available in seven different colors, with Radiant Red being particularly striking. Since this is the full-option model, it comes equipped with LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a sporty rear diffuser.

The boomerang-shaped taillights are another signature touch, and the practicality of the older model remains, with boot space measuring 425 liters—ample for a car in this segment.

Verdict

With a starting price of just 57,900 Dirhams, what Nissan has accomplished with the new Sunny is simply remarkable. They have built a car that is better than the Honda City, Kia Cerato, and Toyota Yaris, creating a Sunny that is actually good enough for regular people like you and me to consider buying—not just rental fleet operators. That is a significant compliment, so on that note, well done Nissan! Additionally, if you are looking to save time and money when it comes to insuring your car, head on over to InsuranceMarket.ae™.