Nissan Primera (2002 – 2006) Review
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Nissan Primera (2002 – 2006) At A Glance
Different looking, but a bit smaller than a Mondeo or Vectra.
1.8 petrol version dull to drive. Diesels have same problems as X-Trail.
I first clapped eyes on the Nissan Primera at the 2001 Barcelona Motor Show. Wow, that's different, I thought. Inside is no less of a shock to the senses. All the main instruments and controls are in the centre. And they require a little bit of learning.
For a start, the Primera doesn't have rear parking bleepers. Instead it has a TV camera that transmits what's behind to the TV screen in front of you. So you can actually see small children, pets, bicycles and low-lying stone buttresses. There are no excuses for a flat cat or bent back bumper with this car.
The screen doubles up as a display for the radio/CD player, for the climate control and for the trip and service computer. There's not much it doesn't tell you. And on the SVE model it trebles up as the display for Nissan's brilliant 'Birdview' satellite navigation system.
Reviews for Nissan Primera (2002 – 2006)'s top 3 rivals
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Nissan Primera (2002 – 2006) handling and engines
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 29–44 mpg
The 1.8SVE is nothing special at all. It's not bad. It handles okay with no nasty surprises. It's goes reasonably well, but no better. Like some members of the opposite sex it just doesn't match up to the promise of its looks. And that's strange, because the bland-looking Primera II was a quick, sensational-handling car, with its multi-link rear suspension fine-tuned on the Nurburgring.
I suppose I put my problem with it down to the steering. It's very light and quite often I couldn't feel what the car was up to through it and ended up chopping my way through a corner rather than following the proper line. Even holding the car on line through a well-known corner it started to drift where an old-shape Mondeo would have held its line. Don't get me wrong. The handling isn't terrible. But this is no modern Peugeot or Ford, and that's a shame.
The other bugbear is the 1.8 engine. It puts out an apparently healthy 116PS at 5,600rpm and 163Nm torque at 4,000rpm, but punchy it isn't. 060 is a really slow 11.5 seconds, top speed is a weak 117mph and, though the combined consumption is supposed to be 38.2 mpg, all I managed was 31.5.
The 138 bhp 2.0 16v with six-speed gearbox is only £500 more, so if you want a petrol engine this is far better value for money. It also drives much better and is more relaxed on the motorway. But to accelerate you have to change from 6th to 5th or 4th. And it isn;t fantastically economical. I only averaged about 31mpg.
If you want economy, it has to be 136PS 2.2 Di diesel, also with six-speed manual box. Its average consumption of nearly 50mpg, strong performance and relaxed cruising at 30mph per 1,000 rpm are worth the price premium and the car is an excellent alternative to the previously class leading Passat 130 TDI PD and Mondeo 130 TDCI.
What's my verdict? There's a lot to like about the Primera 1.8SVE, but as a driver's car it doesn't hold a candle to the Mondeo 1.8LX. The 2.0 litre petrol and 2.2 Di are hugely better cars and much more competitive against the opposition, especially the 50mpg six-speed diesel. For a busy, high-mileage rep, the 2.2Di with Birdview satnav has to be an excellent package.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 16V | 38 mpg | 12.1–12.3 s | 177 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Nissan Primera (2002 – 2006)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
93%
Real MPG
29–44 mpg
MPGs submitted
55
Nissan Primera (2002 – 2006) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4567–4675 mm |
| Width | 1760 mm |
| Height | 1482–1488 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2680 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1369–1417 kg |
| Boot Space | 460–1670 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 9000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £15,495–£19,295 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | I |
| Official MPG | 38.2 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | 1 |
| Overall | - |
| Estate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.8 16v S Estate | £16,595 | 38.2 mpg | 12.3 s |
| 1.8 16v SVE Estate | £19,295 | 38.2 mpg | 12.3 s |
| 1.8 16v SX Estate | £17,795 | 38.2 mpg | 12.3 s |
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.8 16v S 5dr | £15,495 | 38.2 mpg | 12.1 s |
| 1.8 16v SVE 5dr | £18,195 | 38.2 mpg | 12.1 s |
| 1.8 16v SX 5dr | £16,695 | 38.2 mpg | 12.1 s |
Model History
March 2002
New Primera launched
Engine choice includes a 116PS 1.8 with five-speed manual or automatic transmission, a 140PS 2.0 with Nissan's M-CVT automatic which also offers manual ratio selection and a 126bhp 2.2 turbodiesel with six-speed manual box promises healthy performance with 50mpg economy.
4,567mm long x 1,760mm wide (1,998mm including mirrors) x 1,482mm high.
A 'first' is the built-in closed circuit TV camera in its rear number plate surround. This is linked to the TV screen on the central instrument pod and, instead of aiding rear-parking by coloured lights or bleepers, actually lets you see what is directly behind the car. Since this could save a child's life it has to be worth having.
All Primera models from SE up get the system. Naturally enough, a tail-eye view isn't all it does. It also displays information for the audio, malfunction warnings, communication, satnav system and climate control. Six buttons change the display according to the function selected, with two large circular switches for the main ones and a joystick for the navigation system.
June 2002
Five door hatchbacks and a six-speed manual version launched. Along with 140PS 2.0 engine. 2.2 DI six-speed is good to drive and promises fantastic economy from its ultra-tall top gear which gives nearly 37mph per 1,000rpm.
March 2003
Power of 2.2 DI hiked from 126PS to 136PS.
October 2014
The CVT automatic transmission fitted to Nissan Primeras has proved to be very reliable. One reader never changed the fluid in 99,000 miles because it remained clean as new. Comments from North American users on the internet agree with this.
What to watch out for
Sudden poor running of petrol engines or failure to start due to crankshaft sensor malfunction (seems to be vulnerable to dirt or water ingress: see recalls).
Doors have no rubbing strip and are prone to supermarket dings.
Cable controlling injection when turbo cuts in was too short on 2003MY cars and consequently could break.
Timing chain tensioner problems on 2.2 diesels, same as X-Trail. Best to change the oil and filter twice as often as Nissan recommends.
Repeated turbo failures on 2.2 diesels. May be due to not rerplacing EGR valves.
Rear brake calipers prone to seizing up and by July 2007 the cost or replacement rear calipers had risen to £260 + VAT each.
Complaint of seat frame of SVE cutting through seat cover.
Manual transmission prone to failure, and replacements in short supply. Gear change on diesel can be very slow.
Clutches can fail early.
More minor problem areas include thermostat, radio display and exhaust lambda sensor.
