Nissan Primera

March 2002

But is the fresh-faced range, which is set to start stirring the fleet and family sector from March next year, as good to drive as it is to look at? We were first behind the wheel to find out.

Initially, only the saloon and estate driven here will be available. To complete the line-up, the five-door hatchback version will launch in September. Three engines will be offered - 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol powerplants, as well as a 2.2 diesel. We tried a 2.0-litre petrol-engined saloon first, and it is clear that a great deal of effort has been made in improving comfort and refinement compared with the old Primera. At idle, there's less noise and vibration from the engine, and the car is now much closer to matching its European rivals.

Fitted with Nissan's latest CVT gearbox, which offers fully automatic or a six-speed sequential manual mode, the 140bhp machine is capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in only 10.9 seconds. There is a tendency for the newcomer to jump slightly as you squeeze the brakes and slot the car in gear, but, as you pull away from the line, the sequential mode feels both faster to respond and more natural for drivers used to the current generation of Nissan CVT units. On rough roads, the suspension is a little more compliant than the chassis fitted to the outgoing model, although the new-found comfort has certainly not undermined the Primera's keen handling - one of the earlier car's strong points.

Grip levels are impressive, and even on really demanding roads the Primera can be driven hard through corners, with no nasty surprises in store. The only disappointment is the steering, which is precise but feels a little dead, with not a lot of feedback compared to the class-leading Ford Mondeo. Oddly, it's the diesel estate which proves more of an enthusiast's machine. The 2.2-litre turbocharged unit is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and offers 126bhp and an impressive 280Nm of torque. Against the clock, it turns out to be as quick as the 140bhp petrol-engined version, also recording a 0-60mph sprint time of 10.9 seconds, although in-gear it feels even faster.

Maximum torque arrives at around 2,000rpm, but you will need to work the gearbox hard to maintain your rate of progress, because the powerband feels narrow. Combined economy figures of around 48mpg will improve the engine's appeal among high-mileage drivers, as will the unit's impressive refinement at cruising speeds and the car's saloon-like handling. The practical 465-litre boot has additional underfloor stowage space, as well as easy to use split and fold rear seats.

Bargain hunters would be well advised to take a close look at the entry-level 1.8-litre machine. With only 116bhp and a five-speed manual gearbox, it's slower than its stablemates, but offers refinement and driveability. Nissan seems particularly keen to promote this model as it expects the 1.8 powerplant to prove a popular choice in the showrooms.

The only major criticism we have is the level of wind noise, which proved to be intrusive at motorway speeds in both the saloon and estate. Nissan assured us that it is aware of the problem and will have rectified it by the time the cars go on sale.

However, no such improvements will be needed for the equipment levels, since these are among the best in class - even on entry-level S models.

Alloy wheels, air-conditioning plus front, side and curtain airbags will all be included as standard, as will a dashboard monitor which shows black- and-white images of the road behind as you reverse. The redesigned interior is spacious for passengers and driver alike, while reach-and-rake adjustment of the steering wheel, together with the minimalist dash, ensures long journeys remain relaxing.Top- spec SVE cars also get Nissan's DVD- based navigation system, as well as a bigger monitor in the centre console.

Ultimately, the new Primera proves to be an impressive package, and it certainly deserves to considered on the shopping list of anyone looking for a new family car. It may not be quite ready to climb straight to the top of the class, but it's certainly an encouraging step in the right direction.

The newcomer will be competitively priced, too, with entry-level 1.8-litre versions costing from around

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