Ironically, it was quite a bright sunny day here in Dubai when I picked up the all new 2013 Nissan Sunny! The car was fresh out of the box; had no more than 147kms on the clock, and best of all, it was the top spec model.

Style

What differentiates the 2013 Nissan Sunny from the basic model is:

Subtle rear spoiler
Two rear sensors (not 4)
15" alloy wheels
Upgraded gauges and cloth seats
Stereo steering wheel controls
Bluetooth phone connection
Fog lights
Power mirrors and windows
Chrome grille surround and door handles
Mirror indicators
Mud guards
Rear vents (not connected to the AC unit, but help circulate air)

Drive

Driving the 2013 Nissan Sunny

The engine in the 2013 Nissan Sunny is a 1.5 litre petrol unit pushing out just one horsepower shy of 100 horses and 134Nm of torque. I admired how economical this car was, especially with today's rising petrol prices. Additionally, I liked the onboard computer which displayed current and average fuel consumption while driving. Most drivers will appreciate the economical nature of this car, making them happy with their decision!

But how fast does it accelerate? With only 99 horsepower, the fastest I could get the Nissan Sunny to reach 100km/hour was a painful quarter of a minute - 15 seconds. Its Korean rival, the Hyundai Accent, achieves the same speed almost four seconds faster.

As a result, I found myself having to really rev the engine to overtake someone. The engine revs to 6500RPM, but sounds very unpleasant. Eventually, when I reached the allowed speed limit of 140km/hr on E311 road after what felt like an eternity, I was surprised that the Sunny felt pretty stable. Although some road and wind noise filtered into the cabin, it was relatively quiet and comfortable. However, I had to be very cautious knowing that this car has drum brakes on the rear wheels. Yes, drum brakes. The braking power was quite weak, and you really have to push hard on the brakes to feel any effect.

The Nissan Sunny is undoubtedly one of the easiest cars to drive that I have ever tested. I got used to its size and dimensions in less than a minute of driving. No joke. The steering wheel is electronically assisted, which makes it feel nimble and light, but not precise. The Sunny's steering wheel is best suited for city driving, but as I got on the highway and cruised at higher speeds, I felt the need for heavier action and definitely more feedback, which were minimal in the Sunny. The car felt heavy on corners with significant body roll.

Interior Space and Visibility

Interior space of the 2013 Nissan Sunny

The minute I stepped into the 2013 Nissan Sunny, the first thing I noticed was how roomy the cabin was. I'm 5' 9", and it was not a hassle to find a perfect seating position for myself, as both the driver seat and the steering wheel had plenty of room for adjustments. The Sunny was built on the Micra platform but was made with a longer wheelbase to accommodate five passengers comfortably and provide a staggering 490 litres of boot space, which is huge even compared to the Yaris. The backseat passengers enjoy generous head and leg room, and I found the armrest with two cup holders at the rear passenger seat to be a nice touch from Nissan. There's more practicality throughout the cabin with:

Two cup holders in the centre console
Additional cup holders in the side door bins
A large glove box

What I liked most about the Nissan Sunny is the amazing front and rear visibility, with huge windows on all sides of the car and small window pillars that make it the perfect car for city driving.

Interior Material and Finishing

Interior materials of the 2013 Nissan Sunny

While the interior of the Nissan Sunny is clearly built to last and the control buttons are logically laid out, the cabin feels quite dull, and everything seems cheap with hard plastic everywhere, especially regarding the AC controls, which seem to have been pulled from a 1995 Toyota pickup truck! Additionally, the car's horn sounds absolutely hideous, leading me to doubt that the Sunny will gain much respect on the roads of UAE when honked. The stereo system, aside from sounding bad, is extremely basic and easy to use with added functionalities such as a CD player, MP3, FM/AM radio, and AUX plug, but the absence of a USB connection is truly missed.

Verdict

To summarize, starting at 45,500 AED, the 2013 Nissan Sunny is not designed for hustling around but rather for leisurely travel. It is light and easy in the city, extremely spacious, and of course, being a Nissan, it is very reliable, cheap to run, and affordable to buy. However, you may want to explore its better-looking Japanese and Korean rivals before making a final decision.