THERE is more to Nissan's Primera than you would ever imagine. It's certainly not a matter of what you see is what you get. For the new Primera is packed with a whole lot of gadgets to make life easier for the motorist.
Take its navigation system, for example. If you programme a route using the system and an accident occurs ahead of you a warning triangle pops up on the map to show you where it is and you are asked if you want to be re-routed around it.
It's all done using an independent tuner which constantly monitors traffic broadcasts on the RDS radio and makes the route adjustments even if you happen to be listening to a non RDS station and are not aware of the problems ahead.
The second clever "toy" on the Primera is its reversing camera. No radar sensors here beeping away as you get close to an object behind you, it's all shown in full colour on a centrally located dashboard screen which comes to life as soon as you engage reverse gear.
The camera lens is located just above the rear number plate and is about the size of your thumbnail. The system allows you to reverse in safety, avoiding any low bollards which are out of sight to anyone just using a reversing mirror.
The latest Primera, which is only available as a hatchback or an estate following the demise of the saloon, is one of the few cars already geared up for mobile phone use. You simply slot your phone into the cradle between the two front seats and it is then automatically hooked up to the car's audio system.
I also liked the Primera's wet box concept. A water resistant storage area under the reversible boot floor where sports gear can be stowed without messing up the rest of the car.
In terms of design the Primera is radically different. There is nothing else like it on the road and you either love the shape or hate it, it's all a matter of personal choice. Certainly its a style that I like - if only for its individuality.
Inside, its unique N-Form system is designed to reduce the number of switches on the dashboard. This works by using the traditional 1-6 radio buttons for various functions as well as working the radio.
Push the climate control switch, for example, and each radio button then controls a function of heating or ventilation. Sounds complicated but it's not when you get used to it.
There have been a number of changes inside the car since the last model, including the addition of aluminium effect door pulls, softer fabrics and larger, high mounted armrests.
My test car was the 2.2-litre dCi T-Spec model, a six-speed, 138bhp diesel which comes with features like leather upholstery and cruise control as standard.
On the road it's a very smooth unit that pulls well in every gear and feels refined but never feels dramatically quick.
I was disappointed in its fuel consumption. I was regularly averaging just 33-35mpg even driving very steadily, which is not brilliant by modern diesel standards and well below the claimed figures.
New bushes and dampers have been fitted to the car and even though the handling is good I found the steering too heavy and a bit "woolly", lacking the sharpness of some of its rivals.
The Primera, however, does have an awful lot to commend it. There is an abundance of passenger space, the luggage area beneath the hatch is enormous and the features that come as standard on the T-Spec are normally only available on much more expensive cars.
FAST FACTS
Nissan Primera 2.2 dCi T-Spec
Price: £20,150
Mechanical: 138bhp, 2,184cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 126 mph
0-62mph: 10.2 secs
Combined mpg: 46.3
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 164g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint