Used car check: Nissan Pulsar is an average guy with weaknesses

Nissan Pulsar? The compact should not be known to many prospective buyers who are looking for a used car.

Used car check: Nissan Pulsar is an average guy with weaknesses

Nissan Pulsar? The compact should not be known to many prospective buyers who are looking for a used car. But why not include a rather unknown like the Nissan Pulsar (C13) in his shortlist?

The Nissan Pulsar (C13) made a very brief guest appearance. The compact was at the start in Germany for a total of four years between 2014 and 2018, then it was over again with Nissan's renewed attempt to get more than one toe into the important Golf class. The range of used cars is therefore not lavish, but how does the rather hapless Pulsar fare at the TÜV?

body and interior

With a length of almost 4.40 meters, the Pulsar is one of the longer models in the compact segment: for comparison: the VW Golf (VII) is 4.26 meters long. The five-door Nissan hatchback is drawn inconspicuously, it does not polarize. The Japanese can score with inner values. The space available is comparatively generous. In the rear, users can look forward to ample distance to the backrests of the people in front. Depending on the position of the rear seat backrests, the trunk volume varies between 385 and 1395 liters. However, variability was written small in the development of the pulsar; there is neither a sliding rear seat nor a double floor for the luggage part. The interior is designed functionally and matter-of-factly, switches and buttons are sensibly arranged and easily accessible.

engines and propulsion

The range of engines is clear, two petrol engines and one diesel - each with front-wheel drive - were available. The basic turbo petrol engine is a 1.2-liter four-cylinder with 85 kW/115 hp, which sends its power to the front wheels via a manual six-speed gearbox. Alternatively, first-time buyers could also order a continuously variable CVT transmission. The sprint to country road speed takes 10.7 seconds, and the top speed is 190 km/h. Nissan specified the standard consumption as 5 liters. The 1.6 liter top petrol engine with 140 kW/190 hp consumes a good half liter. The turbo manages a speed of 217 on the Autobahn and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. The 1.5-liter diesel has an output of 81 kW/110 hp and has an average consumption of 3.6 liters and a top speed of 190 km/h. As with the 1.6 petrol, the diesel also has a manual six-speed gearbox on board, there is no automatic.

equipment and security

The Pulsar was offered in the well-known Nissan trim lines, including Visia, Acenta and Tekna. The basic comfort level stands on steel rims and has, among other things, air conditioning and a music system. If you are looking for fancier aluminum rims, you must at least go for the Acenta. Here are also leather steering wheel, automatic air conditioning or an emergency brake assistant on board. Tekna offers leather seats, 18-inch wheels and LED headlights. Assistance systems such as lane departure warning and blind spot warning are also part of the standard scope. If you value modern assistance systems, you can ignore the basic pulsar. Those interested in used cars might already be lucky at Acenta. First-time buyers had the opportunity to book the electronic helpers. The Pulsar achieved a five-star rating in the 2014 NCAP crash test.

quality

The Nissan Pulsar gave an inconsistent picture in the TÜV main inspections (HU), which have been carried out twice so far. Although it achieves average values ​​across all age groups and defect categories, the TÜV inspectors also noticed its weaknesses. These include the parking brake, the front lighting system or oil loss.

Conclusion: The Nissan Pulsar is one of the exotics in the used car range. If you are looking for a compact with decent space and moderate consumption values, you can definitely take a look at the Japanese. However, you should take a closer look at the weak points criticized by the TÜV and examine your desired model (or have it checked) before signing the contract. You have to be willing to invest at least 6000 euros for a pulsar.