Nissan Livina

The Nissan Livina’s cabin is functional and user-friendly. The dashboard follows a horizontal theme. The design is clean and intuitive, with controls placed within easy reach of the driver. Soft-touch materials on the dashboard are limited, particularly in the lower trims, where hard plastics dominate. But the surfaces are well-finished and have a matte texture to resist fingerprints. 

The MPV uses durable but mostly hard plastics throughout the cabin. The upper dashboard and door panels are rigid but well-assembled, with minimal panel gaps. Faux aluminium or gloss black inserts are used in the VL and VE models to add contrast and break monotony. Fabric upholstery is standard on the E and EL models. The cloth feels basic but is breathable. VE and VL trims get premium fabric or leatherette seats. The leatherette feels upscale for the segment.

The front seats are supportive and decently bolstered. Manual adjustments are standard across the range. The cushioning strikes a good balance between softness and support. There’s ample legroom in the second row for adult passengers. The seats slide and recline. The third row is more suitable for children. The flat bench and upright backrest limit comfort on extended drives.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Spacious and versatile cabin

Cons: Abundance of hard plastics

Features and Technology

The Nissan Livina is equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system across all variants. While it supports Bluetooth, USB, and AUX connectivity, it lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration that’s offered by most competitors. The system includes Phonelink software, but its compatibility is limited, particularly with newer Android devices. The interface appears dated, reminiscent of systems from the mid-2010s. It lacks tactile buttons, making navigation less intuitive. Despite the shortcomings, the system is responsive, and the inclusion of large rotary knobs for climate control is practical.

The Nissan Livina comes with a 4.0-inch full colour multi-information display. It provides essential driving information like fuel economy, trip details, and vehicle settings. The display is clear and easy to read, contributing to a user-friendly driving experience. 

Pros and cons

Pros: User-friendly infotainment unit

Cons: No smartphone integration

Boot Space and Storage

With all seats up, the Nissan Livina offers 200 liters of cargo space behind the third row. Folding the third row flat expands the cargo area to approximately 500–550 liters. Flattening both the second and third row yields 1,500 liters of space, offering van-like utility for carrying bulky items like bicycles, flat-pack furniture, or large boxes.

Front-row passengers get a medium-sized glovebox. The central console includes cup holders, a small bin, and an armrest compartment (depending on trim level). Higher trims have a padded armrest with a shallow storage space underneath. The doors get generously sized bottle holders. Second-row passengers get seatback pockets, ideal for tablets, magazines, or thin books. The higher models get a foldable armrest with cup holders. Occupants on the third row get cup holders and small trays that are integrated into the side panels.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Flexible seat-folding for variable cargo needs

Cons: No hidden compartments or underfloor storage

The Nissan Livina measures 4,510mm in length, 1,750mm in width, and 1,695mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,775mm. 

The Livina distinguishes itself with a thoughtfully crafted exterior that blends Nissan's signature design elements with practical features. In the front, the MPV gets Nissan's iconic V-Motion grille, characterized by a large trapezoidal design adorned with silver accents on the sides and lower sections. This grille is flanked by a split headlamp setup. The upper section gets slim daytime running lights (DRLs). The middle section gets multi-reflector halogen headlights housed separately. The lower section gets LED fog lamps integrated into the corners of the front bumper.  A silver scuff plate at the centre of the bumper adds a rugged aesthetic.

The Nissan Livina, on the side, mirrors the Mitsubishi Xpander's silhouette. The floating roof effect is achieved through angular window panels and the rear quarter-glass design. The entry-level E model runs on 15-inch steel wheels. A sharp crease flows through the door panels towards the tail lamps. Chrome accents on door handles and side mirrors are exclusive to the top-spec VL variant.

The Nissan Livina gets wraparound L-shaped LED taillights lamps with unique internal graphics. The rear bumper features a split design with silver accents (exclusive to the VL variant). The roof spoiler adds a sporty touch while housing a high-mount stop lamp for improved visibility.

The car is available in White Pearl, Ruby Red, Black Knight, Silver Tech, and Timeless Grey colour options.

Pros and cons

Pros: Family-friendly styling

Cons: Lacks bold appeal

In real-world conditions, the Nissan Livina returns an average mileage of 12–14kmpl in city driving and 16–18kmpl on highways. The 1.5-litre powertrain balances power and fuel economy well. While not class-leading, it offers solid efficiency for a compact MPV. The eco-driving mode helps enhance fuel savings. 

Pros and cons

Pros: Impressive fuel economy

Cons: Some rivals offer better highway mileage

The steering is light and easy, especially at low speeds, making it ideal for city driving and tight parking situations. It offers a decent turning radius that’s advantageous in an urban environment. But the steering lacks feedback at higher speeds. It doesn’t communicate much road feel to the driver. Some drivers may find the steering overly assisted.

The Nissan Livina offers a generally pleasant and composed ride, particularly for a compact MPV aimed at families and urban use. On well-paved roads, it provides smooth cruising with minimal vibration or noise intrusion. The suspension does a good job of soaking up small bumps and road imperfections in low to medium speeds. Over rough or uneven surfaces, especially when the vehicle is loaded with passengers or cargo, occupants may feel sharper undulations because of the relatively simple rear suspension layout. The noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) levels are acceptable for its class. Engine and road noise are decently controlled at city speeds.

The MPV’s climate control system is a strong point. The front air-conditioning (AC) is efficient and responsive. The Livina is equipped with roof-mounted rear AC vents that distribute cool air to the second and third-row passengers. 

Pros: Comfort-oriented suspension

Cons: Lack of steering feedback

The Nisssan Livina is equipped with a four-cylinder, 1.5-liter petrol engine that produces 104PS/141Nm. The motor is mated to either a five-speed manual transmission (MT) or a four-speed automatic, depending on the trim. The Livina isn’t a performance vehicle by any means. Acceleration is at best adequate. It delivers at a smooth but unhurried pace. But for city driving and moderate highway use, the power delivery is acceptable. The four-speed automatic shifts smoothly under light throttle but may feel sluggish when a quick downshift is required for overtaking. It's more tuned for efficiency and comfort than sporty driving. The MT variant offers a bit more driver engagement.

Pros and cons

Pros: Comfortable ride quality

Cons: Underwhelming performance 

The Nissan Livina comes with a nice suite of safety features. It gets ultrasonic sensors at the back that detect objects during parking. The rear-view camera captures live video feed.

Other key safety equipment includes antilock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution, vehicle dynamic control, hill-start assist, multiple airbags, and child seat anchors.

The Nissan Livina prioritizes essential safety features that cater to everyday driving needs. Other models from the Japanese manufacturer get the full Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite.

Pros and cons

Pros: Practical safety suite

Cons: Most rivals are better equipped

Competitor Comparison

The Toyota Innova is one of the closest competitors of the Nissan Livina. The Innova is larger, with a more powerful engine and better suited for long-distance travel and larger families. It offers a more premium feel, higher ground clearance, and robust build quality. The Nissan Livina, on the other hand, is more compact, fuel-efficient, and budget-friendly, making it ideal for city driving. While the Toyota Innova emphasizes durability and spaciousness, the Nissan Livina focuses on practicality and comfort.

Conclusion and Final Verdict

The Nissan Livina offers practicality, comfort, and efficiency, making it a solid choice for families and daily commuters. While it may not excite performance enthusiasts, the spacious cabin and fuel economy stand out. For those seeking a reliable, budget-friendly MPV, the Nissan Livina is a great choice.