Nissan Sylphy 1.8 Premium (A) Review
08 Apr 2013|57,317 views
It has been six years since Nissan last remade their top selling mid-size sedan. During this time, major players kept this segment competitive with newly overhauled offerings that feature more sophisticated styling as well as improved interiors.
While Nissan has been a lowdown in this segment, things are about to change.
Given more than a facelift, the Sylphy is poised to make its mark in the mid-size sedan segment
Unveiled at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, the fully redesigned Nissan Sylphy has been built with the primary focus on 'class above design standards' both outside and inside, as well as efficient engineering while retaining popular features of its predecessor.
The new Sylphy is a much improved car, boasting significant improvements that thrust it out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Exterior
The nerdy-cute, guileless looks of the Sylphy's predecessor has been ditched for a more grown up and polished exterior - a goal achieved by Nissan to give the car a more premium look.
While Nissan has been a lowdown in this segment, things are about to change.
Unveiled at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, the fully redesigned Nissan Sylphy has been built with the primary focus on 'class above design standards' both outside and inside, as well as efficient engineering while retaining popular features of its predecessor.
The new Sylphy is a much improved car, boasting significant improvements that thrust it out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Exterior
The nerdy-cute, guileless looks of the Sylphy's predecessor has been ditched for a more grown up and polished exterior - a goal achieved by Nissan to give the car a more premium look.
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This grown up look is highlighted by a new front end that is sleeker looking than the outgoing model and features the new signature trapezoidal front grille seen on newer Nissan models.
A lower roofline and beltline give the Sylphy a forward-moving stance, while Xenon headlamps (standard on the 1.8 Premium variant) and LED taillights add an upscale touch to the car.
The new Sylphy looks sexy, in a way its predecessor never really was - especially the way the arched roofline and flowing rear flank meet around the C-pillar, with a chiselled end of the window line.
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Interior
Inside the new Sylphy, there is a huge leap in quality as compared to its predecessor, putting it on par with some of the bigger brethrens in the Nissan family.
Unlike its predecessor, the new Sylphy sports a multi-function steering wheel
Fit and finish throughout the cabin is excellent, and the generous use of soft-touch materials and wood-tone accents (available as an option for the 1.8 Premium variant), together with handsome stitching on the leather upholstery, is especially appealing.
Inside the new Sylphy, there is a huge leap in quality as compared to its predecessor, putting it on par with some of the bigger brethrens in the Nissan family.
Fit and finish throughout the cabin is excellent, and the generous use of soft-touch materials and wood-tone accents (available as an option for the 1.8 Premium variant), together with handsome stitching on the leather upholstery, is especially appealing.
There are enough storage facilities such as a deep glove compartment and door bins around the sides for added convenience.
Getting in the driver's seat, it is hard not to notice the 'Fine Vision' luminescent gauges that are clearly laid out in front. The white font on a black background is also easy on the eyes.
Leg and headroom is generous, with rear passengers being treated comfortably in a relaxed, laid back environment.
510 litres of cargo space ensure that your shopping needs are well seen to
Getting in the driver's seat, it is hard not to notice the 'Fine Vision' luminescent gauges that are clearly laid out in front. The white font on a black background is also easy on the eyes.
Leg and headroom is generous, with rear passengers being treated comfortably in a relaxed, laid back environment.
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The Drive
With an eye towards efficiency, Nissan has downsized the powerplant from a 2.0-litre to a 1.8-litre for the new Sylphy.
The 1.8-litre MRA8DE engine churns out 129bhp and 174Nm of torque
While you can't expect a small car to win a traffic light grand prix, the lack of mid and top-end grunt can be a little demoralising for passing cars on the expressways.
But that shouldn't be too much of a concern because you will often find yourself cruising along rather than attempting any hot blooded overtaking manoeuvres.
Performance figures aside, Nissan has placed its focus on fuel economy for its new sedan. Despite driving hard with the car, we still managed a figure of 10.4km/L - not far off from the realistically achievable claimed figure of 14.9km/L.
The Sylphy is obviously no sports car, but it goes where you put it. And although body roll is evident and the steering is light and numb, it is accurate around curves, making it a rather fun car to pilot.
With an eye towards efficiency, Nissan has downsized the powerplant from a 2.0-litre to a 1.8-litre for the new Sylphy.
While you can't expect a small car to win a traffic light grand prix, the lack of mid and top-end grunt can be a little demoralising for passing cars on the expressways.
But that shouldn't be too much of a concern because you will often find yourself cruising along rather than attempting any hot blooded overtaking manoeuvres.
Performance figures aside, Nissan has placed its focus on fuel economy for its new sedan. Despite driving hard with the car, we still managed a figure of 10.4km/L - not far off from the realistically achievable claimed figure of 14.9km/L.
The Sylphy is obviously no sports car, but it goes where you put it. And although body roll is evident and the steering is light and numb, it is accurate around curves, making it a rather fun car to pilot.
But more notably, the ride in the Sylphy is a smooth one, with the car soaking up imperfections from broken tarmac and humps.
If you need help in knowing the weight of your right foot on the pedal, the accelerator guide meter will be glad to assist
Conclusion
The Nissan Sylphy is now off the bench and back in the game, with certain attractive features playing in its favour. If you're looking for decent dynamics, good fuel economy and handsome styling, the Sylphy may just rock your world.
Well, what can we say? Picking a mid-size sedan from the current bumper crop just got that much harder.
Conclusion
The Nissan Sylphy is now off the bench and back in the game, with certain attractive features playing in its favour. If you're looking for decent dynamics, good fuel economy and handsome styling, the Sylphy may just rock your world.
Well, what can we say? Picking a mid-size sedan from the current bumper crop just got that much harder.
It has been six years since Nissan last remade their top selling mid-size sedan. During this time, major players kept this segment competitive with newly overhauled offerings that feature more sophisticated styling as well as improved interiors.
While Nissan has been a lowdown in this segment, things are about to change.
Unveiled at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, the fully redesigned Nissan Sylphy has been built with the primary focus on 'class above design standards' both outside and inside, as well as efficient engineering while retaining popular features of its predecessor.
The new Sylphy is a much improved car, boasting significant improvements that thrust it out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Exterior
The nerdy-cute, guileless looks of the Sylphy's predecessor has been ditched for a more grown up and polished exterior - a goal achieved by Nissan to give the car a more premium look.
While Nissan has been a lowdown in this segment, things are about to change.
Unveiled at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, the fully redesigned Nissan Sylphy has been built with the primary focus on 'class above design standards' both outside and inside, as well as efficient engineering while retaining popular features of its predecessor.
The new Sylphy is a much improved car, boasting significant improvements that thrust it out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
Exterior
The nerdy-cute, guileless looks of the Sylphy's predecessor has been ditched for a more grown up and polished exterior - a goal achieved by Nissan to give the car a more premium look.
This grown up look is highlighted by a new front end that is sleeker looking than the outgoing model and features the new signature trapezoidal front grille seen on newer Nissan models.
A lower roofline and beltline give the Sylphy a forward-moving stance, while Xenon headlamps (standard on the 1.8 Premium variant) and LED taillights add an upscale touch to the car.
The new Sylphy looks sexy, in a way its predecessor never really was - especially the way the arched roofline and flowing rear flank meet around the C-pillar, with a chiselled end of the window line.
Interior
Inside the new Sylphy, there is a huge leap in quality as compared to its predecessor, putting it on par with some of the bigger brethrens in the Nissan family.
Fit and finish throughout the cabin is excellent, and the generous use of soft-touch materials and wood-tone accents (available as an option for the 1.8 Premium variant), together with handsome stitching on the leather upholstery, is especially appealing.
Inside the new Sylphy, there is a huge leap in quality as compared to its predecessor, putting it on par with some of the bigger brethrens in the Nissan family.
Fit and finish throughout the cabin is excellent, and the generous use of soft-touch materials and wood-tone accents (available as an option for the 1.8 Premium variant), together with handsome stitching on the leather upholstery, is especially appealing.
There are enough storage facilities such as a deep glove compartment and door bins around the sides for added convenience.
Getting in the driver's seat, it is hard not to notice the 'Fine Vision' luminescent gauges that are clearly laid out in front. The white font on a black background is also easy on the eyes.
Leg and headroom is generous, with rear passengers being treated comfortably in a relaxed, laid back environment.
Getting in the driver's seat, it is hard not to notice the 'Fine Vision' luminescent gauges that are clearly laid out in front. The white font on a black background is also easy on the eyes.
Leg and headroom is generous, with rear passengers being treated comfortably in a relaxed, laid back environment.
The Drive
With an eye towards efficiency, Nissan has downsized the powerplant from a 2.0-litre to a 1.8-litre for the new Sylphy.
While you can't expect a small car to win a traffic light grand prix, the lack of mid and top-end grunt can be a little demoralising for passing cars on the expressways.
But that shouldn't be too much of a concern because you will often find yourself cruising along rather than attempting any hot blooded overtaking manoeuvres.
Performance figures aside, Nissan has placed its focus on fuel economy for its new sedan. Despite driving hard with the car, we still managed a figure of 10.4km/L - not far off from the realistically achievable claimed figure of 14.9km/L.
The Sylphy is obviously no sports car, but it goes where you put it. And although body roll is evident and the steering is light and numb, it is accurate around curves, making it a rather fun car to pilot.
With an eye towards efficiency, Nissan has downsized the powerplant from a 2.0-litre to a 1.8-litre for the new Sylphy.
While you can't expect a small car to win a traffic light grand prix, the lack of mid and top-end grunt can be a little demoralising for passing cars on the expressways.
But that shouldn't be too much of a concern because you will often find yourself cruising along rather than attempting any hot blooded overtaking manoeuvres.
Performance figures aside, Nissan has placed its focus on fuel economy for its new sedan. Despite driving hard with the car, we still managed a figure of 10.4km/L - not far off from the realistically achievable claimed figure of 14.9km/L.
The Sylphy is obviously no sports car, but it goes where you put it. And although body roll is evident and the steering is light and numb, it is accurate around curves, making it a rather fun car to pilot.
But more notably, the ride in the Sylphy is a smooth one, with the car soaking up imperfections from broken tarmac and humps.
Conclusion
The Nissan Sylphy is now off the bench and back in the game, with certain attractive features playing in its favour. If you're looking for decent dynamics, good fuel economy and handsome styling, the Sylphy may just rock your world.
Well, what can we say? Picking a mid-size sedan from the current bumper crop just got that much harder.
Conclusion
The Nissan Sylphy is now off the bench and back in the game, with certain attractive features playing in its favour. If you're looking for decent dynamics, good fuel economy and handsome styling, the Sylphy may just rock your world.
Well, what can we say? Picking a mid-size sedan from the current bumper crop just got that much harder.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Also read our comparison article on:
Chevrolet Cruze 1.6 vs Hyundai Elantra 1.6 vs Nissan Sylphy 1.6
Car Information
Nissan Sylphy 1.8 Premium (A)
CAT B|Petrol|14.9km/L
Horsepower
96kW (129 bhp)
Torque
174 Nm
Acceleration
11.4sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Nissan Sylphy
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