Are Nissans good first cars?
Choosing your first car could be a daunting but exciting adventure, especially if you don’t have a clear idea which car you really want. Stopping at the Nissan dealership could be a good first step, however, because many of their products are perfectly suited to the needs of a new driver.
The primary consideration in choosing a car (whether it’s the first or the tenth) usually revolves around budgetary constraints, but first-time buyers also need something that’s easy to drive, spacious, and with as strong a safety package as possible. Nissan fields a wide array of cars that all fit these needs, so let’s take a look at the current Nissan model range and score them on their suitability as first cars.
Nissan NP200 (First Car Score: 2/5)
Following the discontinuation of the Micra Active, the NP200 is the least-expensive product in Nissan’s local model line-up. Being a half-ton bakkie (the only one on our market), the NP200 isn’t actually a car, but it may be considered by someone who also has occasional load-carrying requirements.
As far as the NP200’s safety credentials go, its specification sheet runs to 2 airbags and ABS across the range, but that’s it. Stability control isn’t on the cards, and crash safety is a bit iffy, too: The first-generation Renault/Dacia Logan (upon which the NP200 is based) dates from 2004, and only scored 3 stars in Euro NCAP crash testing back in 2005.
So, while the NP200 is easy enough to drive and offer good outward visibility, it lacks both driver assistance systems and solid crash safety ratings, making it less than ideal for first-car applications. The upside is that low-trim NP200s feature unpainted bumpers, which should hide parking lot mishaps fairly well...
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan NP200 bakkies for sale here.
Nissan Magnite (First Car Score: 4/5)
The Magnite is the least-expensive passenger-focused Nissan in South Africa, and would make for a very appealing first car. Not only is it loaded with plenty of gadgets inside, but it is effortless to operate (with a choice between manual- and CVT gearshifting), has plenty of cabin- and utility space, and boasts solid safety credentials.
The standard specification sheet includes 2 airbags, rear ISOFIX child seat anchors, ABS and stability control across the range, and the standard rear-view camera and rear parking sensors will help to make parking as easy as possible. Crash safety ratings are also pretty good, with a 4-star ASEAN NCAP rating achieved in 2020.
Good-looking, well-equipped, easy to drive, and safe at a bargain price, the Nissan Magnite would be an ideal companion for a new driver, and its strong aftersales package will ensure peace of mind for its owner.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan Magnite cars for sale here.
Nissan Almera (First Car Score: 3/5)
This is the only sedan offering in Nissan’s range, and is very popular among rental fleets and ride-hailing drivers. It probably won’t be so popular among first-time buyers, though, because it has a few downsides when compared to the Magnite. Apart from the fact that it's desperately uncool, that is.
The first issue is the lack of stability control: while ABS, 2 airbags, and rear parking sensors are included in the base Almera package, it doesn’t have any other driver aids to its name. The second is rather poor rearward visibility, thanks to that bubble-shaped greenhouse and high luggage compartment lid.
Crash safety is fairly decent for adult occupants, with a 4-star ASEAN NCAP crash test rating, although child occupant protection scored a measly 52% in 2013 testing. So, even though it has ISOFIX rear child seat mounts, an Almera is probably not the best option for a new driver who happens to also be a parent.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan Almera cars for sale here.
Nissan Micra (First Car Score: 4/5)
Even in base spec, the Nissan Micra has decent safety credentials, with ABS, 6 airbags, stability control, and rear ISOFIX child seat anchors included on all variants. It also scored 4 stars in Euro NCAP crash testing in 2017, with good ratings for all occupants.
It’s fairly easy to drive, although the 0.9-litre turbo 3-cylinder isn’t entirely painless to use about town - rather go for a 1.0T if the budget allows. Entry-level Micra Visia trim doesn’t include parking sensors, although this feature appears from the mid-level Acenta Plus trim upwards, along with a rear-view camera. For this reason, we’d encourage first-time buyers to skip the lower-trim Micras and consider mid- and high trim levels instead.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan Micra cars for sale here.
Nissan NP300 Hardbody (First Car Score: 0/5)
We’re mainly including this model for the sake of completeness, and cannot really recommend a Hardbody here. While it offers good outward visibility thanks to its upright glasshouse, the total lack of crash safety means that it’s really not suitable for first-time car buyers. It will serve pretty well (and cheaply) in a commercial vehicle scenario, but shouldn’t feature on a new family-car buyer’s shopping list.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan NP300 Hardbody bakkies for sale here.
Nissan Navara (First Car Score: 2/5 or 3/5, trim dependent)
Base-spec (single-cab) Navaras have to make do without stability control (it is standard from SE trim up), parking sensors or a rear-view camera. They also obviously won’t feature ISOFIX child seat mountings, on account of them being single-cabs...
These features all arrive from LE double cab trim levels and upwards, along with augmentation from 2 to 7 airbags, making them slightly easier for inexperienced drivers to handle and a fair bit safer. But, no matter how many driver aids a Navara may feature, it’s still a very big vehicle, and thus less than ideal as someone's first car.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan Navara cars for sale here.
Nissan Qashqai (First Car Score: 3/5 or 4/5)
As with the Micra, the base trim Qashqai includes plenty of airbags (6), stability control, ABS, and rear ISOFIX child seat mountings, but only receives a rear-view camera from Acenta trim upwards. This could be a problem for the entry-level Visia trim, because the view to the rear of the Qashqai is limited by a rising side window line and small tailgate window.
Once again, we’d recommend shopping from the mid-level Acenta trim upwards, because those variants get a rear-view camera to alleviate the restricted rearward vision inherent in this model’s design. The Qashqai is pretty safe, though, with a 5-star Euro NCAP crash test rating achieved in 2014.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan Qashqai cars for sale here.
Nissan X-Trail (First Car Score: 2/5 or 3/5)
The same caveats that apply to the (related) Qashqai also apply to the Nissan X-Trail, because the entry-level trim again omits any form of rear parking assistance. We would thus also recommend that first-time car buyers set their sights upon (at least) the mid-range Acenta variant to ease parking.
Safety credentials are still first rate, with the X-Trail also scoring 5 stars in Euro NCAP crash testing in 2014. Its size brings the X-Trail down a notch from the smaller Qashqai, however, because it is noticeably larger, meaning that novice drivers may struggle more to place it than they would with a Qashqai.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan X-Trail cars for sale here.
Nissan 370Z, Patrol, and GT-R (First Car Scores: 2/5)
Nissan’s top 3 products all score 2/5 for first-time buyers, albeit for different reasons. While they all have good safety features, some driver aids, and plenty of airbags, each body type brings its own compromises.
The 370Z sports car falls short on outward visibility, due to its low seating position and pinched windows. It’s also not a practical option, with only two seats and a tiny boot, and should best be reserved for enthusiasts as a result of these compromises.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan 370Z cars for sale here.
Driving a Patrol brings problems of its own, because it really is a huge monster to steer. It will clear the overtaking lane in an instant, but that appeal will fade when the time comes to park it – even with surround-view cameras, the big Patrol turns like a ship and is tricky to place in crowded areas.
Related: Shop for new and used Nissan Patrol SUVs for sale here.
The GT-R is a magnificent machine, but it combines the worst first-car downsides of the Patrol and the 370Z: it’s difficult to see out of the driver’s seat, it’s larger than you’d think, and its practicality is highly compromised. As a sports machine for experienced drivers, a GT-R is almost without peer, but it’s not an easy-driving car for first-time car owners. It's also a little tricky to operate to its full potential and much, much more powerful than an inexperienced driver could handle...
