Stuck in the middle

SHORT DRIVE NISSAN TIIDA 1.8G

What's new?

Let's refresh our memories a bit: the Nissan Tiida is ambiguously sized to fit between the B and the C-segment of family cars in Thailand. Still, the Tiida is more of a B-car with similar body width and height as the rest of the pack at under 1,700mm and around 1,500mm respectively.

The only C-car-like feature about it is its 2,600mm wheelbase allowing it to have similar legroom as in a Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

The Tiida comes in two flavours: four-door saloon and five-door hatchback. The saloon is actually called Tiida Latio and comes with a 109hp 1.6-litre engine only, while the hatchback has both the 1.6-litre and a 126hp 1.8-litre four-pots.

Here, we tried the range-topping 1.8G hatchback in its latest guise with a mid-life facelift. The visual changes are cosmetic including the front grille and bumper, head and rear lights, plus the metallic dash trim with printed graphics inside.

There are some electronic upgrades too with automatic climate control, steering wheel audio control and iPod connectivity for the CD player.

The drivetrain, wheels and even the leather seats design remain unaltered.

What's cool?

The rear seats are undeniably the best objective feature of this Nissan, with ample legroom when the sliding seats are pushed furthest back. Both front and rear head rooms aren't bad either and external noise suppression seems better than in the Honda and Toyota.

But what really sets it apart from the Jazz, Yaris - and even the upcoming Mazda2 - is the perceived quality of the interior trim and leather seats that befits a car one class higher.

We would like to remind you that the Tiida's rear suspension has had a tweak since its debut in 2006. And since this setup is retained, the ride is acceptably comfy.

What's not?

You would be wrong to think the bigger 1.8-litre and four-speed auto can provide better drivability than its 1.6-litre variety even though it is smoother than the Ford Focus' 1.8-litre unit. Both the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis, with 1.8-litre engine, could leave the Nissan for dead.

The wooden-feeling brakes with rear drums are only average effective and there's no four-wheel disc option. Even though Nissan did tweak the rear suspension a couple of years back for more acceptable ride, nothing has been done to improve its stodgy handling.

The key fault could be its overly sensitive steering that, while a boon to use while reverse parking, is far too light at highway speeds and feels numb at any speed.

This flaw was greatly hampered by strong crosswinds we got on our test drive from Bangkok to Khao Yai. But even without the winds, the handling was never so reassuring anyway.

And since Nissan did not bother to improve the front head rests, they are always a few centimetres behind the back of your head.

Buy or bye?

It is not difficult to understand why people who appreciate its neat interior bought the earlier Tiida. But then we also figure that they probably put driving manners further down the list than some other qualities.

The Nissan does not drive any where near as good as any player in the B-segment, so the only argument going for it would be a more spacious rear bench for nearly 100 grand more than the most expensive Honda and Toyota class rivals.

But then at B10,000 cheaper than this Tiida, you could buy a bigger but less well equipped Ford Focus 1.8 Ambiente.

At B799,000, this top of the line Tiida 1.8G is still not convincing enough in terms of value for money, and even the B705,000 smaller Honda Jazz has a more practical interior.

Needless to say, it's another bye bye.

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