The Nissan Livina, a small yet huge mini car has proven popular in China since it was launched in the middle of 2007, Nissan are eager to continue with the mass sales of their top selling minicar and plan to give it to the crossover treatment.
The normal Livina is longer than the Honda Fit, which gives it plenty more room for roughly the same price. The crossover Livina, with its chunky cladding is even bigger than the normal Livina, but smaller than the soon to be launched Nissan Qashqai.
The above picture shows the differences between the two models, the crossover left, and the regular right.
Prices on the new Crossover Livina are unknown, but will probably be in the 100,000rmb range to take on the latest Polo Cross, the SX4 and the MG3 SW. The Crossover rage has taken China by storm since the SX4 came onto the market, the big marques have found a comfortable niche market by making regular hatchbacks into tough little city cars with black plastic cladding. China Car Times quite likes the look of the Livina Crossover, but is confused as to why its being billed as a ’sports’ model by Nissan, its ride hight, width, and length are all bigger than the regular Livina.
So, Ash, you gonna upgrade?
Livina has been turned over to the wife as her car, im looking to buy the Brilliance Coupe
I might add the plastic cladding to stop her from shredding the paint off the wheel arches every time she attempts to ‘drive’. The amount of money I give to Nissan to repsray…..
I noticed the other day, the Mazda 323 came as an ’std’ edition, which one do you have
I got the first one made in Hainan. It’s an original 323 with all Japanese imported parts (as I’m told), a CKD I guess. I got the 1.8 ?X with all the “toys”. It has been great. Not a lot of milage, but nothing at all besides oil changes and a battery.
.
Hey I just wrote on another entry (Nissan going for half million sales) that you should buy a REAL Chinese car. I don’t know if the Brilliance Coupe will suffice?
Wait for the Qashqui, it s a far better proposition, and a far better car. The Brilliance Coupe???? - Ash have you been taking your daily tablets? Had to test drive one 2 weeks ago to find an inherent handling problem, at the first emergency brake test the whole dash assembly parted company and then all wiring shorted - walked of and left the thing in the test park-and have refused to come back until they can warrant that all are safe and roadworthy.
Which one were you testing Mr. Tucker?
I want the 1.8T version in auto/manual transmission. I was told to wait until the end of the month before I can test that particular model.
I had a look at the Qashqai, it is a nice car, but I wanted something with a bit more grunt and use the Livina for carrying crap.
Guess I can wait for the Chinese made Hyundai Coupe for a while, Im not after a car until May/June.
The Qashqai is a good car, but don’t believe all the hype. It’s not better than a VW Golf or Vauxhall/Opel Astra yet because it looks chunky (and therefore manly and rugged) people buy it and pay a premium for it. It’s not a massive car inside. The car here is called the Nissan Note in Europe (although I think the rear end is different), it’s a much more honest car (if a little slow). So don’t be too quick to write it off.
I had a look at the only Qashqai in Qingdao, its not really all that much more spacious than the Livina. The Livina has a nicer rear end than the Note, and perhaps a slightly different front in terms of angles. The Livina has the 1.6 engine, same as the Micra sports in the UK, and thus is quite nippy for a small car.
I agree, the back end of the Qashqai is not the best. Lets hope they change it when they launch the 7 seat ‘large’ version later this year.
a bigger qashqai, or a bigger note?
A bigger version of the Nissan Livina is the Nissan Genesis, (sometimes called the Grand Livina). I didnt buy that one originally because it doesnt have much boot space, and road tax is double for 7 seaters in China.
There is a 3 month waiting list for the Livina C-gear!
Took my Livina out for a spin today. What an excellent little car!
very light handling, powerful engine (when compared to total weight of car) and you have the ultimate little city car! Was very easy to slip in and out of traffic in that! I think ill drive it more often!