Nissan Pulsar interior

There is a huge Qashqai SUV influence in here meaning it’s pretty easy to get your head round all the controls but what’s missing is some of the colourful pizazz of alternatives such as the Renault Megane

Style

Some parts are shared with the Qashqai, but the basic design is plain

The Pulsar‘s dashboard design is a little plain, while some plastics are hard and scratchy. Parts like the steering wheel and the touchscreen display are shared with the Qashqai and the X-Trail. Everything is very well screwed together, however, which should mean that even years down the line the cabin will remain free of squeaks and rattles.

It's very Qashqai-like inside the Pulsar, but the overall design is slightly dated

Mat Watson
Mat Watson
Carwow expert

Infotainment

Some parts are shared with the Qashqai, but the basic design is plain

If you’re a technology fan avoid the Pulsar Visia and Acenta models because they only get a five-inch colour screen nestled between the speedo and the rev counter. As you might have guessed, it serves only to give you a better-looking trip info. That said, you can still connect your phone via Bluetooth to the car’s stereo and use it to make calls or listen to your music.

Move up to mid-range N-Connecta trim and you get Nissan easy-to-use infotainment system. It comes with a seven-inch touchscreen that has big icons so you find your way around quickly. The postcode input is straightforward and the physical shortcuts positioned around the screen can take you to frequently used features such as the sat-nav map, should you get lost in the menus which is unlikely. What isn’t so impressive is the graphics that are blocky and look dated.

Another sign of the Pulsar’s age is the lack of digital instrument cluster like the one in the VW Golf. The standard stereo is also on the poorer side of average and there isn’t an updated one in the options list so if you’re a music lover you’ll be better served by a Mazda 3 and its Bose stereo.