Nissan Pixo (2009 - 2013) 1.0 Visia 5d Owner Review

First of all, I absolutely love the car, BUT I could quite understand it not satisfying all tastes. It is quite big enough in the front for proper, full sized people as well as those less well blessed. While there is no height adjustment on the seat in this, the most modestly specified model, there is still easy access to all the controls. Nissan has always erred on the side of less irrational interior designs, so nobody will struggle to find any of the controls or discover any peculiarities in their operation. As the base model, you only get power-steering, with everything else being manually operated other than the petrol-flap internal lever by the driver's thigh. In these ever more complex times, with even the least bothersome item is controlled by the car's computers. Getting hold of a car with almost nothing beyond the absolute essentials controlled by these most expensive and unreliable contraptions is a real bonus. For example, the car is so modestly sized, that not having central-locking is no bother whatsoever. I can reach all the locks from the driver's seat ! The windows are light and easy to adjust with the winders and the same is true of the door mirror adjustment by an internal wand by each on the inside. The rear-view mirror has a little flap to flick in the darkness, so that following traffic's headlamps don't dazzle you. This really is a marvellous throwback to an earlier generation of economy cars, one where they were kept inexpensive by fitting the barest minimum of gadgetry because part of economy motoring is in the low cost of obtaining the vehicle in the first place. This is still an unadulterated Nissan and is thus going to be a very reliable vehicle. The latest batch of Nissans are being jointly designed and built with the likes of Mercedes Benz who couldn't make a good small car if their very lives depended upon it, so let us enjoy the Pixo and it's Suzuki sister, the Alto, in their unspoiled state while we can. The ride quality, while firm, remains on the right side of uncomfortable, whilst also ensuring all but the most unfortunate youngsters a sickness free journey. I have found that the little three-cylinder engine is at it's best when not thrashed, but gently used with early up-shifts in the gears. There is plenty of torque (twisting power from the engine's power shaft) at lower revs, to ensure decent acceleration to sensible speeds so that giving it lots of revs is best left for the rare over-taking manoevers this car might encounter. I use my car for a mixed driving experience, motorway, A roads and B roads to a total of around 90 miles daily, with occasional long distances of around the 200 mile mark. Motorway speeds are easily maintained with rarely the need to use 4th gear except for really steep bits to keep one's speed. This is where the maximum economy can be found of up to 70mpg (Imperial measures). My usual fuel consumption is never less than 60mpg, which satisfies me well enough and doesn't make me drive too gently either. I bought this car to save money and this it is doing splendidly well at. It is small, has only a tiny luggage compartment and the back seats are best for smaller adults and children, but then if I needed to lug a family everywhere and do huge shopping trips, I would have chosen an entirely different sized car. This car is well made, cheap to buy and run and is perfect as a one or two person run-about, second car or even sole car for a single person such as myself. Road Fund Licence (tax-disc) is free on this model, too ! If I have a single criticism, it is the use of 'biased' radial tyres, which give very nippy handling at town speeds to the detriment of slight wander at motorway speeds. I shall replace my tyres with conventionaly designed ones, once these eventually wear out. OK, I will lose a bit of the sharpness from the steering, but the car will also keep a straighter track on the motorway, too. This really is a very minor grouse and would probably not be noticed by many drivers, but coming from the Vehicle Development business as I do, maybe I'm a bit fussier than most !