Nissan AD: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Nissan AD version to choose depends chiefly on transmission, drive and performance requirements. The 2006-onward 3 generation has the broadest engine spread in the supplied range, from the 1.2 AT with 90 hp to the 1.8 AT with 124 hp. The 1999–2008 2 generation offers Manual and Automatic versions, plus AWD on the listed 1.8 models.
The Nissan AD version to choose depends chiefly on transmission, drive and performance requirements. The 2006-onward 3 generation has the broadest engine spread in the supplied range, from the 1.2 AT with 90 hp to the 1.8 AT with 124 hp. The 1999–2008 2 generation offers Manual and Automatic versions, plus AWD on the listed 1.8 models. The 1990–1996 1 generation combines an Estate 3-door body with FWD and AWD choices, while its 1996–1999 restyling changes to an Estate 5-door and extends the listed engine range to the 2.0 MT with 150 hp. Prices are not measured, so the comparison below explains what each mechanical step provides rather than claiming that one version is better value at a particular price.
Nissan AD generations and version differences
The 1990–1996 1 generation is an Estate 3-door with 16 versions in the database. Its listed engines include 1.3 AT and 1.3 MT versions with 79 hp, plus 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT versions rated at either 94 hp or 105 hp. FWD is available throughout the displayed range, while AWD appears on selected 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT versions. Manual models use a 5-speed gearbox; most Automatic models have 4 speeds, although the 79 hp 1.3 AT has a 3-speed Automatic.
The 1996–1999 restyling belongs to the 1 generation and uses an Estate 5-door body. The database lists 21 versions, of which 12 are shown. The displayed selection starts with 79 hp and 85 hp 1.3 models, includes 105 hp 1.5 versions and 115 hp 1.8 versions, and reaches the 150 hp 2.0 MT. The 1.3 engines may use Carburetor or Distributed injection (multi-point), whereas the listed 1.5, 1.8 and 2.0 engines use Distributed injection (multi-point). FWD is the default choice, with AWD offered on selected 1.5 and 1.8 versions.
The 1999–2008 2 generation is an Estate 5-door with 16 versions in the database, with 12 shown. Its listed output begins at 87 hp for the 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT, with alternative 90 hp versions carrying the same names. The 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT likewise appear with either 100 hp or 106 hp. The AWD 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT are listed at either 120 hp or 122 hp. Every displayed engine uses Distributed injection (multi-point), and every displayed version has 145 mm of ground clearance.
The 2006-onward 3 generation is an Estate 5-door with four versions: 1.2 AT, 1.5 AT, 1.6 AT and 1.8 AT. All have a 4-speed Automatic gearbox, four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, no boost and Distributed injection (multi-point). The 1.6 AT is the sole AWD choice; the other three are FWD. This is the simplest generation to compare because transmission type is fixed and the choice is primarily between engine output and drive layout.
Nissan AD engine and transmission specs
Repeated names are distinguished by power so that each database version remains identifiable.
| Generation | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation | 1.3 AT | 79 hp | 104 Nm | 1275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 3-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation | 1.3 MT | 79 hp | 104 Nm | 1275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation | 1.5 MT (94 hp) | 94 hp | 126 Nm | 1497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation | 1.5 MT (94 hp) | 94 hp | 126 Nm | 1497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 1 generation | 1.5 AT (94 hp) | 94 hp | 126 Nm | 1497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation | 1.5 AT (94 hp) | 94 hp | 126 Nm | 1497 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 1 generation | 1.5 MT (105 hp) | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation | 1.5 MT (105 hp) | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 1 generation | 1.5 AT (105 hp) | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation | 1.5 AT (105 hp) | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.3 MT (79 hp) | 79 hp | 104 Nm | 1275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.3 AT (79 hp) | 79 hp | 104 Nm | 1275 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.3 MT (85 hp) | 85 hp | 109 Nm | 1295 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.3 AT (85 hp) | 85 hp | 109 Nm | 1295 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.5 AT | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.5 MT | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.5 MT | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.8 MT | 115 hp | 163 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.8 MT | 115 hp | 163 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.8 AT | 115 hp | 163 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 1.8 AT | 115 hp | 163 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | 2.0 MT | 150 hp | 200 Nm | 1998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.3 MT (87 hp) | 87 hp | 113 Nm | 1295 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.3 AT (87 hp) | 87 hp | 113 Nm | 1295 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.3 MT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 120 Nm | 1295 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.3 AT (90 hp) | 90 hp | 120 Nm | 1295 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.5 MT (100 hp) | 100 hp | 132 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.5 AT (100 hp) | 100 hp | 132 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.5 MT (106 hp) | 106 hp | 142 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.5 AT (106 hp) | 106 hp | 142 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation | 1.8 MT (120 hp) | 120 hp | 163 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2 generation | 1.8 AT (120 hp) | 120 hp | 163 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 2 generation | 1.8 MT (122 hp) | 122 hp | 165 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| 2 generation | 1.8 AT (122 hp) | 122 hp | 165 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 3 generation | 1.2 AT | 90 hp | 121 Nm | 1240 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 3 generation | 1.5 AT | 109 hp | 148 Nm | 1498 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| 3 generation | 1.6 AT | 109 hp | 150 Nm | 1597 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| 3 generation | 1.8 AT | 124 hp | 173 Nm | 1769 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
Nissan AD performance and fuel consumption
The 3 generation 1.8 AT is the only listed version with measured performance and consumption figures. It reaches 100 km/h in 11.7 seconds and has a top speed of 180 km/h. Fuel consumption is 10.5 l/100 km in the city, 7.3 l/100 km on the highway and 8.6 l/100 km combined.
For the 1.2 AT, 1.5 AT and 1.6 AT in the 3 generation, acceleration, top speed and city, highway and combined fuel consumption are not measured. Those same parameters are not measured for every displayed version of the 1 generation, its restyling and the 2 generation. Consequently, the supplied figures do not support claims that the smaller engines consume less fuel or that FWD is more economical than AWD.
Power per litre provides a comparison that can be calculated without inventing road-test results. In the 3 generation, the 1.2 AT produces approximately 72.6 hp per litre, the 1.5 AT approximately 72.8 hp per litre, the 1.6 AT approximately 68.3 hp per litre and the 1.8 AT approximately 70.1 hp per litre. The 1996–1999 restyled 2.0 MT produces approximately 75.1 hp per litre, the highest calculated figure among those five candidates.
Nissan AD dimensions, weight and practical specs
Overall length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured for any listed Nissan AD version. Wheel sizes are also not measured throughout the supplied data.
The 1990–1996 1 generation has ground clearance of 140–150 mm and a 50-litre tank. Listed kerb weights range from 960 kg to 1140 kg; kerb weight is not measured for several Automatic versions, and gross weight is not measured for all displayed versions.
The 1996–1999 restyling has 140–145 mm of ground clearance and a 50-litre tank. Measured kerb weights run from 940 kg for the 85 hp 1.3 MT to 1300 kg for the displayed 115 hp 1.8 versions. Kerb weight is not measured for the 2.0 MT, while gross weight is not measured across the displayed restyled range.
Every displayed 2 generation version has 145 mm of ground clearance and a 50-litre tank. Measured Manual kerb weights range from 1110 kg for the 90 hp 1.3 MT to 1130 kg for the listed 1.5 MT and 1.8 MT versions. Automatic kerb weights are not measured. Gross weight is 1645 kg for the 1.3 versions and 1655 kg for the 1.5 and 1.8 versions.
The 3 generation uses a 41-litre tank. Ground clearance is 135 mm for the 1.2 AT and 150 mm for the 1.5 AT, 1.6 AT and 1.8 AT. Only the 1.8 AT has measured mass figures: 1140 kg kerb and 1750 kg gross. Weight is not measured for the other three versions.
Where both kerb weight and power are available, the 1990–1996 105 hp 1.5 MT FWD has approximately 9.6 kg per hp, compared with approximately 10.9 kg per hp for the 105 hp 1.5 MT AWD. The AWD version therefore carries 130 kg more while retaining the same 105 hp and 135 Nm. In the earlier 94 hp pair, the measured 1.5 MT AWD weighs 1120 kg versus 970 kg for the FWD model, a difference of 150 kg. These figures quantify the mass added alongside the AWD choice but do not measure traction or fuel-consumption outcomes.
Which Nissan AD version should you choose?
Choose the 3 generation 1.2 AT if the priority is the smallest listed displacement with an Automatic gearbox and FWD. It provides 90 hp and 121 Nm from 1240 cc. Its 135 mm ground clearance is 15 mm lower than the other three versions in that generation, and its performance, consumption and weight are not measured.
Choose the 3 generation 1.5 AT as the balanced FWD option. Compared with the 1.2 AT, it adds 19 hp and 27 Nm, while ground clearance rises by 15 mm. Compared with the AWD 1.6 AT, it has the same 109 hp but 2 Nm less torque; the decisive specification difference is FWD versus AWD.
Choose the 3 generation 1.6 AT when AWD is mandatory. It produces 109 hp and 150 Nm, giving it 2 Nm more than the 1.5 AT without increasing power. Consumption and weight are not measured, so the data cannot quantify any AWD economy or mass penalty for this generation.
Choose the 3 generation 1.8 AT when measured road performance matters. Its 124 hp exceeds the 1.5 AT and 1.6 AT by 15 hp, while its 173 Nm exceeds them by 25 Nm and 23 Nm respectively. It is also the only version with measured acceleration, top speed and fuel consumption, making it the least speculative choice for buyers who need those figures.
Within the 2 generation, the 90 hp 1.3 versions improve on the 87 hp equivalents by 3 hp and 7 Nm without changing the 1295 cc displacement. The 106 hp 1.5 versions add 6 hp and 10 Nm over the 100 hp alternatives, again at the same 1498 cc displacement. The 122 hp 1.8 versions add 2 hp and 2 Nm over the 120 hp models. Choose Manual for a 5-speed gearbox or Automatic for a 4-speed gearbox; choose among the displayed 1.8 versions when AWD is required.
Within the 1 generation, the 105 hp 1.5 models offer 11 hp and 9 Nm more than the 94 hp 1.5 models for only 1 cc of additional displacement. In the restyled range, the 2.0 MT is the output leader at 150 hp and 200 Nm: it adds 35 hp and 37 Nm over the 115 hp 1.8 versions. It is FWD and Manual, however, while the 1.8 range includes both FWD and AWD as well as Manual and Automatic choices.
On the available numbers, the 3 generation 1.5 AT is the clearest all-round FWD Automatic candidate, the 1.6 AT is the direct AWD alternative, and the 1.8 AT is the best-supported performance choice. Buyers wanting a Manual should look to the 1 or 2 generation, while the restyled 2.0 MT supplies the highest listed output. Reliability, problems, engine-oil capacity, engine-mounting details and prices are not measured, so they cannot be used to rank these versions.