Review: Nissan J10 Dualis (2007-13)

Review: Nissan J10.I Dualis (2007-10)

Overview

Released in October 2007, the Nissan J10 Series I (J10.I) Dualis was a compact SUV. Manufactured in Sunderland, England, the J10 Dualis powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine; transmission options consisted of a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with six pre-set ratios. Although initially available with all-wheel drive, front-wheel drive Dualis models were released in August 2009. Furthermore, the Dualis range consisted of entry-level ST and better-equipped Ti variants.

Based on Nissan’s C platform and sold in Europe as the Qashqai, the Dualis had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. Compared to the closely related J10 Dualis+2 which was released in July 2010, the Dualis was 226 mm shorter (at 4315 mm), the same width (1783 mm), 23 mm lower (1623 mm) and had a 135 mm shorter wheelbase (2630 mm).

AWD system

The AWD models used Nissan’s ‘All Mode 4×4’ system, which enabled the driver to select from ‘2WD’, ‘Auto’ and ‘Lock’ modes. In ‘2WD’, the Dualis was strictly front-wheel drive; in ‘Auto’, the Dualis was primarily front-wheel drive, but could re-direct torque to the rear axle in the event that the front wheels lost traction; and, ‘Lock’ involved a permanent 50:50 front:rear torque split.

Safety equipment

Initially, standard safety equipment for the Dualis ST included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the Ti was further equipped with front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), electronic stability control and traction control.

As part of the August 2009 update, front side airbags, curtain airbags, electronic stability control and traction control were made standard across the range.

Euro NCAP and ANCAP assessments

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2007 Qashqai – sold in Australia as the Dualis – fitted with a 1.6-litre engine received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 36.83 when equipped with dual front airbags, front side airbags and curtain airbags; this score, however, included three points for seatbelt reminders which were not fitted to Australian-delivered models. As such, the Australia-specific score from ANCAP was 33.83 out of 37. In the frontal offset impact test, there was only a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver. In the side impact and pole tests, the Dualis received maximum points.

For models without curtain airbags, ANCAP assessed the Dualis as having a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 31.83 – this score was calculated by excluding the results from the pole test that was conducted on the model with curtain airbags.

Features

Standard featuresfor the Dualis ST included a four speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, cruise control, cooled glovebox (14 litre capacity), remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, cargo cover, 12 volt power outlet and immobiliser. From August 2009, the ST was fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Compared to the ST, the Dualis Ti was further equipped with a six speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, leather seats, heated front seats, front fog lights, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls.

Review: Nissan J10.II Dualis (2010-12)

Overview

Released in April 2010, the J10 Series II (J10.II) Dualis introduced a revised line-up, improved equipment levels and a subtle facelift. The ST AWD models were discontinued, with the ST only offered in front-wheel drive; shortly after the release of the J10.II Dualis, the seven-seat Dualis+2 was introduced to the Australian market (reviewed separately). The J10.II Dualis was also more refined due to its additional sound-proofing, ‘acoustic’ windscreen and improved window seals.

Visually, the J10.II Dualis could be identified by its more angular front-end, re-shaped bonnet, grille, bumpers, headlights and air intake. At the rear, the Dualis was now fitted with a more transparent lens design, LED brake lights and a modified roof-mounted spoiler. Furthermore, the interior featured illuminated footwells and an additional storage compartment at the base of the centre instrument stack.

Features

As part of the update, the ST variant was fitted with Bluetooth connectivity, while the Ti received 18-inch alloy wheels, dual zone climate control air conditioning, a proximity key, panoramic sunroof and rear privacy glass. The AWD models were further differentiated by their silver roof rails.

Related links

• Brochure: Nissan J10.II Dualis (May 2011)

Review: Nissan J10.III Dualis (2012-13)

Overview

Released in May 2012, the Nissan J10 Series III (J10.III) Dualis introduced a revised range as the all-wheel drive Ti was discontinued and a new range-topping Ti-L variant was introduced (see table below).

May 2013: Dualis update

In May 2013, a TS variant was introduced which was powered by Renault’s 1.6-litre ‘R9M’ turbo-diesel engine. Mated to a six-speed manual transmission, the engine featured an ‘Idle Stop/Start’ function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary to minimise fuel consumption. Furthermore, the Ti variant was discontinued.

Features

Compared to its J10.II predecessor, standard features for the Nissan J10.III Dualis ST were extended to include auxiliary audio inputs (3.5mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and trip computer. The cooled glovebox, however, was omitted.

For the Ti, the six speaker sound system with its six-disc CD player was replaced by a four speaker unit which had a single-disc player. Relative to the Ti, the newly-introduced Ti-L was further equipped with a satellite navigation system and Nissan’s ‘Around View Monitor’ parking assist system which utilised four separate cameras to project a bird’s eye view of the vehicle onto the central display.

May 2013: Dualis update

In May 2013, standard features were extended to include 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation and a reversing camera. Compared to the ST, the TS was further equipped with front fog lights and privacy glass.

Brochure

• Brochure: Nissan J10.III Dualis and Dualis+2 (June 2013)

Related links

• Specifications: Nissan J10.III Dualis and Dualis+2 (May 2013)
• Nissan News: Nissan Strengthens Dualis Line-Up With Diesel Variant (April 2013)
• Wikipedia.org: Nissan Qashqai/Dualis (first generation)