2012 Nissan Dualis Review
The Nissan Dualis is a compact SUV with a gentle demeanor that belies its true capabilities. It's one of the few cars that strikes a perfect balance between economy and utility in one package. It's as economical as any hatchback can be and yet as dynamic as any SUV can be. It has all the qualities that are desirable for driving in Kenya where road conditions greatly vary even within the same city. It competes with the Mitsubishi RVR, Subaru XV, Nissan Juke, Honda HR-V and Peugeot 2008.
Detailed Review
2012 Nissan Qashqai Review directs here
The Nissan Dualis also known as the Nissan Qashqai is a compact SUV that was manufactured in Japan from 2006 to 2013. It was replaced by the Nissan Juke in Japan but continues on as the Nissan Qashqai in other markets. The first generation Nissan Dualis/Qashqai is known as the J10 and the second generation Nissan Qashqai is known as the J11.
Under the bonnet, the Dualis comes with a 2.0 Litre MR20DE petrol engine that is linked to an XTRONIC CVT-M6 transmission. The Nissan Dualis is available in both 2WD and 4WD.
2012 Nissan Dualis Grades
- Nissan Dualis 20S – This is the basic grade that comes with CD/radio player, 2WD, halogen headlights, single zone manual air conditioner, fabric seats and 16-Inch steel rims.
- Nissan Dualis 20G – This is the luxury grade that comes with DVD/navigation player, 2WD, xenon headlights, dual zone automatic air conditioner, embossed suede tricot seats, 17-Inch alloy rims, rear center armrest with cup holder, rear seat reading light, 3 spoke leather steering wheel and steering switches(audio, navigation, handsfree phone)
- Nissan Dualis 20S FOUR – This is the 4WD version of the 20S that comes with the ALL MODE 4×4.
- Nissan Dualis 20G FOUR – This is the 4WD version of the 20G that comes with the ALL MODE 4×4.
Interior
Legroom & Space
The Nissan Dualis is a spacious car that can comfortably seat five adults. The seats have a proper SUV like feel and a good elevation that affords the passengers an excellent view of the road. At the first row, the driver is afforded with sufficient legroom. The front passenger seat is also well spaced with good legroom. At the second row, the outer seats have excellent legroom but the middle seat can be tight for a tall person.
Cabin Storage
There are several storage compartments in the cabin that are useful for storing items such as smartphones, beverages, goggles, handbags etc. At the first row there are 2 cup-holders, door pockets, a glovebox and a center tray. For the second row, there’s storage on the front seat jacket pockets, center armrest and door pockets.
2012 Nissan Dualis Boot Space
The Nissan Dualis has sizable boot that can carry luggage enough for a family of five. When extra space is required, the rear seats can be folded in a split configuration.
Other Extras: Navigation, Reverse camera, Alloy Rims, Fog lights, Sunroof
2012 Nissan Dualis Safety Features
Driver and front passenger SRS Airbags, Curtain airbags, side airbags, ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Dynamic Control(VDC), three point seat belts with ELR, Brake assist, front seat active headrest.
Exterior
The Nissan Dualis has a conservative but stylish design that appeals to both a feminine and masculine clientele. The 20G is particularly appealing with the 17-Inch alloy rims, fog lights and an optional sunroof.
2012 Nissan Dualis Fuel Consumption
2012 Nissan Dualis 2.0L fuel consumption: 14.2 km/L
2012 Nissan Dualis Acceleration
2012 Nissan Dualis 2.0L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 12.7 sec.
2012 Nissan Dualis Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 Litres
2012 Nissan Dualis Ground Clearance
The Nissan Dualis has a ground clearance of 8.0 Inches(205mm) which is excellent for driving in Kenya.
2012 Nissan Dualis Stability and Handling
The Nissan Dualis is not as quick as the Nissan Juke 1.6L Turbo and as much as we would have loved it to be, Nissan elected for economy over power. Besides that, the Nissan Dualis is a well built car that handles well under normal driving conditions. However, be cautious when driving around sharp corners as the car may roll due to its high center of gravity.
Service Intervals
Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil
Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
Service parts are shared with many other Nissans and therefore affordable and easy to find. Body parts on the other hand can be difficult to find especially if you don’t know where to find them. For a list of Nissan spare part dealers, follow this link
2012 Nissan Dualis Reliability
The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reliability reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market. There are differences in roads, fuel, climate, spares, and technical expertise. To give you accurate and reliable local insights, we interview experts such as mechanics and car dealers, who have in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market. We also test the cars ourselves. Our aim is to give you the right information to enable you make an informed decision when buying a car.
As usual, we interviewed several Nissan Dualis owners and mechanics and their feedback was generally positive. The car has a good record so far and most owners are happy with it. As with any car, it’s always important to read the Owner’s Manual as it contains vital information on its maintenance. To download the 2012 Nissan Dualis Owner’s Manual, click here.
Resale Value: Good
Nissan Dualis Competitors: Subaru XV, Mitsubishi RVR, Honda HR-V and Nissan Juke
Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: See Latest Nissan Dualis Prices here
Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 38,000/ per annum- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/- per annum
Change of Tyres(If neccessary) Ksh. 40,000/- for 4 Tyres
What we like about the 2012 Nissan Dualis
1. Spacious interior
2. Comfortable seats
3. Good ground clearance
Conclusion
The Nissan Dualis is a balanced car that is ideal for people who value practicality and fuel economy. Thanks to its SUV like height, it can comfortably travel on most roads in Kenya without a problem.
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