Review
Nissan Pixo city car
Price: £7,250 - £9,150
/5
- Pros:
- Very cheap to buy
- Top spec Tekna trim cars are very well equipped
- Room for four inside
- Cons:
- Budget feel
- Steering lacks precision
- Noisy at speed
pictured: Nissan Pixo micro car 2009 5 door
reviewed by Carbuyer
"It's one of Britain's cheapest new cars, and with its functional, no frills interior and lacklustre engine, it feels like it too..."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 1.0 N-Tec 5dr
£8,250 - The cheapest
- 1.0 Visia 5dr
£7,250 - The fastest
- 1.0 N-Tec 5dr
£8,250 - Top of the range
- 1.0 N-Tec Auto 5dr
£9,150
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If you shop around hard enough, it's reckoned that you can buy a Nissan Pixo on finance for less than £100 a month. On paper at least, it represents excellent value for money and despite a no frills approach to design and engineering top specification Tekna versions are well equipped, with air-conditioing and stability control fitted as standard.
Drive
Noisy, with poor steering feel
Let's face it, the Pixo's budget feel is unlikley to come as a shock to many drivers. However the total absence of any sort of performance is disappointing. Cars like the Peugeot 107 offer much more from smaller engines. Soft suspension means lots of body roll in corners, but we were surprised that the car didn't handle bumps and pot holes better. Large holes can cause the cabin to shudder noticeably.
Comfort
Fine for short distances
The no frills cabin looks and feels built down to a price, but the front seats are reasonably comfortable. There's also space in the rear for a couple of passengers.
Reliability
Suzuki underpinnings are tough
It might feel built to a price, but there's no doubt that the Suzuki underpinnings are tough. Safety for this model is reasonable too, with stability control offered as standard.
Practicality
Limited boot space dents appeal
The boot is 10-litres smaller than that offered by the Peugeot 107, while full-sized adults will feel a little cramped sat in the rear seats. As we have said before the Pixo is all about the value it offers.
Value for money
Low prices, and low running costs make the Pixo excellent value for money
Few new cars in the UK are cheaper than the Nissan Pixo, though we would still advise drivers to avoid entry-level Visia badged cars, which offer limited luxury and very basic transport.
Running costs
Engines deliver more than 60mpg
The Nissan Pixo's 1.0-litre petrol engine is capable of returning over 60mpg. Insurance costs are low too. It's a shame therefore that the CO2 emissions are over 100g/km which means that road tax will cost £20 a year. Resale values are low.
