Proving Two into One does go....
Dualis - Nissan’s foray into Crossover

Nissan explain how they’ve “taken all the best features of a stylish, sporty hatchback and crossed them with a versatile SUV” to produce the Dualis. Of course it all sounds like ‘compromise’ until you drive your first Dualis. You quickly learn that the most significant SUV attribute in the Dualis formula is its ride height. The Dualis does drive something like a ‘sporty hatchback’ but now you can see what’s happening up ahead in the traffic! Welcome to the world of ‘Crossover’.
Appropriately perhaps, there are only two models in the Dualis range - the entry level ST and the fully stacked TI which we tested. The ST is pretty barren by today’s standards. Sure, you get power windows, air conditioning and cruise control, but in our opinion you must add the $2,000 option pack which gives you 16” alloys, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Enhanced Understeer Control and, perhaps most importantly, side and curtain airbags. Fork out another $3,000 for the TI and you get all this plus:
 • Leather seats (heated up front)
 • 6CD In-dash audio system
 • Bluetooth phone compatibility
 • Drive Computer
 • Front Fog Lamps
 • Auto Headlights and Wipers

Most of the time, the Dualis’s all-wheel-drive system is (curiously) part time. We frankly don’t understand why you would want use only 2WD but the centre console mounted control knob allows you to select ‘2WD’ or ‘Auto’. In ‘2WD’ only the front wheels are driven. In ‘Auto’ mode, drive is still delivered to the front wheels but when wheel spin is detected power is progressively re-distributed to the rear wheels providing up to a 50:50 split if required. Once in ‘Auto’ mode there is a third ‘LOCK’ setting which can be toggled on or off. ‘LOCK’ switches the system to a permanent 50:50 4WD system but switches off automatically if the speed exceeds 10km/h.
We enjoyed a mix of city and country driving in the Dualis, but it was predominately around town. On the country run we had 4 adults in the car, which wouldn’t have helped fuel economy but over the duration of our test the Dualis returned a respectable 9.0 litres/100km – not far off the 8.5 quoted by Nissan. The Dualis drove very capably around tight twisty roads through Victoria’s Yarra Valley. With 4 up, in hilly conditions, we needed to explore the limits of the rev counter but the lightweight 2 litre engine is very willing.
Our test car had a 6 speed manual transmission. An optional continuously variable (CVT) transmission is available.
The base Dualis ST starts at $28,990 ($30,990 with the essential ‘option pack’). The TI (which we tested) is $33,990. For both models the CVT transmission will set you back an extra $2,000 and metallic paint costs $395. Nissan offers a 3 year warranty with a 24 Hour Roadside Assistance Package, also for 3 years.
The Dualis is a compromise of sorts, but it works – surprisingly well. We don’t however understand why there needs to be a 2WD option and we reckon it’s about time the optional Vehicle Dynamic Control and Side & Curtain Airbags should be standard across the range.

Tested June 2008

Vehicle provided by Nissan Motor Co (Australia) Pty Ltd