Nissan Sylphy
Nissan
renews its attack on the mid-sized exec segment with the
surprisingly roomy Sylphy
What's
New
The Sylphy was originally mooted as a replacement for the
stalwart Sunny but seeing the car in the flesh puts paid
to any of those intentions. It is plenty big for something
in the mid-sized exec segment, and it's quite easy to mistake
the Sylphy for its much larger sibling, the Cefiro.
The
similarities go beyond general size, but the Sylphy's is
arguably the better-resolved shape. The lines are more cohesive
and there is a nice balance to the overall form that the
Cefiro's shape can't quite match. Compared to the Cefiro,
the Sylphy's nose is tauter as are the flanks, and the rear
seems to be more streamlined as well.
Its
headlamps also sport clear protrusions, illuminated by the
lamps themselves at night, that help you judge where the
far corners of the car are.
The
Sylphy's interior is positively enormous. There's probably
more room in the rear than in most large execs. Six-footers,
or even NBA basketball players are unlikely to have trouble
getting comfortable. The interior architecture complements
all this space very well, with Nissan's new minimalist take
on cabin design in full effect.
Storage
spaces also abound. The glovebox is one of the deepest we've
encountered, and the console behind the transmission lever
is large enough to accommodate a small attaché case.
The
2.0-litre model tested here also comes with stacks of equipment,
including a satellite navigation system that is probably
one of the hardest in the world to use. You also get climate
control with Nissan's germ-killing Plasmacluster technology,
an electric driver's seat with memory function, as well
as a reverse camera. All that said, the lack of a three-point
safety belt for the centre rear passenger is a curious omission.
How
it Performs
The Sylphy's 2.0-litre engine develops 133bhp and is mated
to a Continuously Variable Transmission or CVT. The engine
also produces 191Nm of torque and consequently feels very
punchy. The CVT is very good, too, and doesn't suffer from
the 'elastic band' effect that some similar transmissions
are afflicted with.
On
the move, the Sylphy's low speed ride doesn't really impress.
Tyre noise is also quite apparent. At higher speeds, though,
the Sylphy really comes into its own. The busy ride settles
into a very refined cruise, and the tyre noise that constantly
accompanies the car at low speeds doesn't seem to get appreciably
louder the faster you go. The near absence of wind noise
also helps to make the cabin almost church-like on the expressway.
The
Sylphy's steering is also great, both quick and responsive.
Body control is pretty good as well, and grip levels are
generally high. The Sylphy also advertises its cornering
limits very clearly, too, so you know when to back off before
the tyres give up. The brakes work pretty well but the rears
are drums, which are odd to see on a 2.0-litre car.
How
it Stacks Up
The Sylphy goes up against the likes of the Honda Civic
and the Mazda 6, and it steps into the ring packing sheer
size as a formidable weapon. Nothing else in this class
that offers more cabin space than the Sylphy springs to
mind. It also comes very generously equipped, expecting
the odd omission, and it handles and goes very decently,
too. However, if it's space you're after and space you privilege
above all other features, then the choice is an easy one.
| Technical Specifications |
|
MODEL
Nissan Sylphy 2.0 (A)
ENGINE
Engine: 1,997cc 16v V6
Max Power: 133bhp at 5,200rpm
Max Torque: 191Nm at 4,400rpm
TRANSMISSION
CVT
TOP SPEED
180 kmh
0-100km/h
10.7s
|
