Nissan Sunny XV Diesel - Design Review

Nissan’s Micra-based sedan was an eagerly awaited product in India – and it was a big surprise when it turned out to be a global offering like the Sunny. Unlike their partners Renault though, Nissan decided to launch the petrol version first to gauge the market response. But that said, Nissan stunned everyone when they announced the pricing for the Sunny sedan in India when it was finally launched in 2011. It had an astonishingly low base-price while promising acres of space. 

Since then, the prices have gone up – blame it to the usual revision that follows the ‘introductory price’ hoopla or the new taxation that came into play after the recent changes in the Union Budget. In spite of that, the Sunny is still one of the most economical and spacious sedans that you can buy in the mid-size sedan segment and these facets set it apart from its rivals. Joining the fray is the diesel version of the Sunny which not only promises the same features that made the sedan so popular, but now also adds a more economical engine to the mix. 

The design of the Sunny diesel is similar to its petrol counterpart. The Teana inspired design dictates the shape of the headlights upfront. The headlamps are large and the throw is decent – but I would have preferred brighter illumination. You get the trapezoidal grille with chrome plating on it to give the Sunny a dose of premium appearance. The front bumpers of the Sunny tend to look drab when compared to the sharper designs you see on cars like the City, Vento or even the new Swift Dzire which caters to a lower segment.

The side profile shows the three-box design of the Sunny and particularly highlights the rear overhang. It does look disproportionate and pulling the rear wheels further backward could have avoided this imbalance. The bulbous styling again sets the Sunny apart from its sharper looking competition and the smoothly receding roofline adds a touch of class. Even on the diesel version, Nissan has used the same alloy-wheel design that you get on the Sunny petrol.

The rear end continues to showcase the design inspiration that the Sunny takes from the Teana. The taillights are swept back and make the Sunny appear like a really long car (which it actually is). The Bangle-butt inspiration for the boot lid looks good, but also makes the Sunny look like the Swift Dzire’s long-lost elder sibling. The rear overhang is evident from the rear three-quarter view as well, but also lends the Sunny a big boot.

The Sunny comes across as a large car, while its bulbous styling makes it look youthful and fun-loving amongst the other aggressively designed mid-size sedans that fill up this segment. 

Also Read:

- Nissan Sunny Diesel User Experience Review

- Nissan Sunny Diesel Performance Review