Nissan March 14e Test Drive Report

ReportDecember 16, 2021

The March was born in 1982 and completely dominated the market for what were then called "liter cars. The essence of a compact car has been further pursued.

The March, born in 1982, completely dominated the market for what were then called "liter cars" and has been loved by a wide range of users around the world. The second generation was launched in 1992, and the third generation was launched on March 7, 2002, following a full model change every 10 years. The new March was also the first car to share a common platform with Renault.

At first glance, the new March's style looks very distinctive. At first glance, the new March looks very unique, but the lines of the sides and roof are the same as the old model. In the midst of the increasing number of square-shaped cars, they kept the lovely roundness of the style. In addition, a variety of 12 body colors, including five exclusive colors for the March, "the color of ingredients found in an open-air café," give the car a fun and exciting atmosphere.

In contrast to the Fit, which is more for family use, and the Vitz, which is more of a boyish car, the March, with its cuteness and intimacy, is aimed at female users. Although their approaches are slightly different, they must compete with their rivals in a slugfest.

The quality and materials of this car are completely beyond the realm of the compact car class.

What really surprised me was the high quality and attention to materials. You can feel it not only in the parts you touch, but also just by placing yourself in the cabin. In particular, the grained dash panel, ceramic switches, and the comfort and texture of the seats are completely beyond the compact car class.

It also has an outstanding array of functional equipment that enhances usability. The auto-light system, battery saver, electromagnetic back door opener, and height adjuster and tilt handle for a more comfortable driving position are all features that rivals do not have. One item that the company is proud of is the intelligent key, which allows you to lock and unlock the doors and turn the engine on and off without inserting the key. This is convenient when you have a lot of luggage or an umbrella. The optional Carwings is another next-generation information service that is less expensive than a car navigation system.

You may think that the round shape is less efficient packaging than the square shape. However, the March has enough space for adults to sit in both the front and rear seats. The luggage capacity is also sufficient.

The footwork, which combines firmness and ride comfort, is nimble.

The newly developed CR 1.4L engine, which is installed in the top grade, is much more powerful than the previous model. From city streets to highways, it handles starting, acceleration, and cruising with ease. The "ultra-low emission" certification is also worth mentioning. However, the 4-speed AT is set to shift gears frequently. The 4-speed AT is set to shift gears frequently, which results in a louder engine noise.

The ride is not what I expected from a town car, but more like a European car with a clear sense of firmness and rigidity. At the same time, it has a good ride quality. The steering feel of the electric power steering, however, detracted from this pleasant feeling. At low speeds, the assist is very light, and as the speed increases, it becomes more responsive, but at high speeds, it feels a bit heavy. This too much of a difference between the two types of assistance is probably what makes it difficult to handle. The time lag between starting the engine and the start of the system is also a concern. I would like to see a control system that can be used in the city.

This is a legitimate evolution of the March brand that has taken into account the wishes of its users.

The old March had been accepted by a very wide range of generations: 30% of users were singles and dinks, 26% were families, and 44% were married couples with children. The appeal was the interior and exterior design and ease of driving, while the complaints were the power performance and lack of storage space. When you drive the new March, you can clearly see that it has evolved legitimately according to this user research. The result is that we have further refined what is popular and eliminated as many complaints as possible.

The styling is certainly typical of the March, with a reassuring shape. The interior is finished to a very high standard, and the packaging is satisfactory. However, once you start driving, this good impression is lost. This is probably due to the fact that the car is aimed at a wide range of users. However, this does not mean that there are any problems with the basic performance. The impression of the car would be completely different if it were set up for a specific user and driving situation.

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