Nissan Wingroad 2006-2012 used car review
The Nissan Wingroad is a small station wagon with a smartly designed load area.
The Nissan Wingroad is a small station wagon with a smartly designed load area. It offers reasonable performance with low road noise.
The Nissan Wingroad is a small size station wagon, which is directly comparable to the Toyota Corolla wagon. While the car was sold new in New Zealand, it was a Japanese market model imported by Nissan New Zealand rather than a locally-specified vehicle. A commercial version called the AD was available, as well as Mazda and Mitsubishi badged versions. It is closely related to the Nissan Tiida.
Inside and out
Nissan has given the Wingroad an unusual look for a small wagon. The front has a low, sloped nose, while the rear is steep and rounded. The roof is mostly flat, although a step down in the windows makes it look like it tucks down lower. Rear windows are tinted and wrap around to give a pillar-less appearance.
The tinted windows make the car feel a little closed in and dark inside. The plastics feel hard and durable. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and adjusts for rake. Gauges are easy to read against their white background and have a sporty look.
The stereo is an aftermarket unit which is standard on NZ-new models. Large door pockets and shelves running under the dash provide plenty of space for items. A handy 12-volt plug is on the passenger side shelf.
Front seats offer excellent side support, though the base is a little short so taller drivers may have a lack of under-thigh support. The rear seat can slide forward or backward by about 250mm to provide more storage or legroom.
With the seat pushed back, legroom and headroom are excellent. Rear seating has only enough width for two adults to be comfortable.
The boot is large and practical, with room for six medium or three large suitcases. The floor is slightly raised and allows for two storage units beneath. One of these is removable and designed for wet items. Easy to reach tabs at the rear of the boot allows you to lower the sliding rear seat for additional space.
On the road
The Wingroad is powered by either a 1.5-litre or 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, while the AD version is available with engines as small as 1.2-litres. The NZ new model, like our review vehicle is fitted with the larger engine which produces 93kW and 174Nm.
A CVT automatic transmission is standard, and four-wheel drive models feature a traditional four-speed automatic. In higher import models and the NZ-new model, you get paddle shifters which allow you to select from six set ratios in the CVT. Performance of our review car was good for a small wagon.
The engine was impressively quiet when it got up to speed, although like most CVTs the engine revs high and can be a little buzzy when accelerating. Ride and handling are decent. The ride is very flat, and most bumps are well absorbed by the suspension. The steering is very light and offers no feel - great around town, though not as good on twisty roads.
If you are not a master at parking you will want to find a Wingroad with a parking camera. The cameras were not fitted as standard, though are common in later-model import models. Tinted and narrow rear windows severely restrict vision behind. You can buy a camera to fit yourself from $50 or have it done by a professional from $200.
The Wingroad has an average tow rating for a small car. It can pull 400kg unbraked (a small garden trailer), and 1,000kg braked (a small trailer boat).
Safety
We couldn't find any local safety rating for the Wingroad. In 2005 Japanese NCAP testing, the Wingroad received a full six-star rating for both driver and passenger protection. The model tested had front airbags only. In 2010 standard side curtain airbags were added to the NZ-new model. Most Japanese import versions only have front airbags.
No ISOFIX child seat mounts are fitted. The centre seat features a lap belt, which is far less safe than the shoulder type.
Reliability
The Nissan Wingroad has a reasonable reputation for reliability. As a wagon, many have been used as work vehicles, so how they have been treated may be a big factor. The engine uses a timing chain which will not require regular replacement.
In rare cases, the CVT automatic has been known to fail in cars that have driven over 100,000km. That’s primarily if the car hasn't been serviced enough, or incorrect fluids were used (and there are no early warning signs). Nissan NZ sells the special NS1 CVT fluid recommended. If the CVT does fail, it will need a full rebuild or to be replaced with a second-hand unit. Either way, expect to spend between $1,500 and $2,500 in parts and labour.
A knocking sound from under the front of the car over speed bumps or poor surfaces while turning can indicate worn subframe bushes. These cost around $650 to replace.
Corrosion can also be an issue. When purchasing, check the seam that runs through the middle of the firewall under the lining, using a mirror. Also look under the car, especially the front lower cross member and rear subframe or suspension components. Look for discolouration and bubbling, and if you see it avoid that car as this is expensive to fix.
The light-grey seat fabric in the Wingroad appears to be a magnet for stains. We haven't seen many which don't have marks on the seats. A set of seat covers is an easy fix and a preventative measure.
Cost of ownership
Nissan recommends servicing the Wingroad every 12 months or 15,000km. This costs around $375, with an extensive service due at 90,000km for around $1,000.
RightCar estimates that a Wingroad will cost from $1,930 annually to fuel over 14,000km of driving a year. The Wingroad has a small 45-litre fuel tank which will cost $90 to fill at $2 a litre. You may be able to travel up to 580km before the fuel light comes on.
The Wingroad costs $117.78 a year to licence and is in the second most expensive ACC Levy group.
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for this model valued at $9,680 will cost $47.48* per month. This is $3 more than a Toyota Corolla wagon.
Buyers’ guide
The Nissan Wingroad is available on Trade Me priced from $3,000 to $13,000. Low mileage import models and NZ-new cars are worth the most. The Wingroad continues to be available in Japan, so later model cars can appear in the market from time to time.
Japanese imports
- S or B - Features steel wheels, electric windows, manual air-conditioning, remote locking, CD player stereo and anti-lock brakes.
- M - Adds metallic interior trim, keyless start system, automatic headlights, boot storage system and climate control air-conditioning. Optional side airbags.
- G - Adds leather steering wheel, premium seat fabric, shift paddles for the automatic transmission, white instrument dials and alloy wheels.
- Axis - Based on the M. Adds wood trim, body kit, and alloy wheels.
- Rider - Based on the M. Adds unique chrome grille, body kit, fog lights, stone-like interior trim, rear spoiler and alloy wheels.
New Zealand models
- ST-L - As per Japanese G model, without alloy wheels. Side curtain airbags standard from 2010.
Timeline
- 2006 Launched in Japan and New Zealand
- 2007 Mazda version becomes available, badged Familia
- 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Cargo version launched
- 2010 Side curtain airbags added
- 2011 NZ-new sales end
Details
2011 Nissan Wingroad ST-L
$5,000 to $12,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
1.8-litre four-cylinder, 93kW and 174Nm
CVT automatic, front-wheel drive
Six-star Japan ANCAP
Twelve months or 15,000km
Space saver tyre
6.9-litres per 100km (claimed)
Regular
4395mm
1695mm
1500mm
400kg (unbraked), 1000kg (braked)
10.4m
This review covers the Nissan Wingroad for model years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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