1.3 Dig-T 160 N-Connecta DCT 5dr

OK for an old bloke like me.....

I reviewed this car at the end of October and said I'd come back for another thought after some time. So going on for six months - but relatively few miles - later here we are again.

I still like the car but it's a pretty uninspiring drive though the power feeds in smoothly when you join the motorway. The DCT is smooth too but can behave oddly as you come up to a roundabout - pushing the car forward when you might expect the reverse. I run it at a couple of PSI below the recommended cold tyre pressures and road noise falls off accordingly, so with a quiet engine it's a peaceful drive. Just as well since the DAB radio can be a bit underwhelming.

The electric handbrake has not grown on me. The auto-hold can be useful but I live on a hill, and when people park very close getting out of the confined space becomes a bit of a gamble because the point at which it releases is somewhat unpredictable. I do not like the dark rear windows which I had to have to get the model with the glass roof as an option. I've never seen the point of them and find at night judging the distance of the car behind is less easy.

The heat pack is a useful addition but the switches for the seats are clunky and ill-placed so it's all too easy to leave the heat on. The heated screen is good but hasn't had too much use this last winter. Since Renault can put heated steering wheels in their cars, I don't see why Nissan can't do the same. And I'd dearly love a paddle shift instead of manual change on the central auto selector.

But it's a comfortable drive and I'm an old bloke so overall it's ok.

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