Nissan Bluebird Sylphy: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Nissan Bluebird Sylphy catalogue covers four Sedan generations: the first ran from July 2000 to November 2005, the second from December 2005 to December 2012, the third from January 2012 to January 2019, and the fourth began in February 2019. Choosing among them is mainly a question of priorities.
The Nissan Bluebird Sylphy catalogue covers four Sedan generations: the first ran from July 2000 to November 2005, the second from December 2005 to December 2012, the third from January 2012 to January 2019, and the fourth began in February 2019. Choosing among them is mainly a question of priorities. The first generation offers the broadest documented engine and transmission choice, including Manual, Automatic, FWD and AWD versions. The second narrows the range to 1.5 AT and 2.0 CVT options while retaining both FWD and AWD. The third offers only a 1.8 CVT with FWD. No fourth-generation modifications or specifications are provided, so a meaningful numerical comparison of that generation is not possible.
Nissan Bluebird Sylphy generations compared
The first generation, produced from July 2000 through November 2005, is a Sedan with 13 listed modifications, of which 12 are shown in the supplied catalogue. Its documented versions span 1,498–1,998 cc, 105–145 hp and 135–178 Nm. Buyers can choose a 5-speed Manual, a 4-speed Automatic or a Variable transmission, while the available drivetrains are FWD and AWD.
The second generation ran from December 2005 through December 2012. This Sedan has three modifications: two variants named 1.5 AT and one 2.0 CVT. The range covers 1,498–1,997 cc, 109–133 hp and 148–191 Nm. One 1.5 AT is FWD and the other is AWD; the 2.0 CVT is FWD.
The third generation was offered from January 2012 through January 2019. It is a Sedan with one modification, the 1.8 CVT. That version combines 1,798 cc, 131 hp, 174 Nm, a Variable transmission and FWD. Its single-version range makes selection straightforward but removes the engine, gearbox and drivetrain choices found in the earlier generations.
The fourth generation began in February 2019 and is also a Sedan. It has zero modifications in the supplied data. Engine output, transmission, drivetrain, performance, economy, weight and clearance therefore remain not measured for catalogue comparison.
Nissan Bluebird Sylphy engine specs and versions
Repeated names below are separated by generation, output or drive because they represent distinct specifications.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First — 1.5 MT (105 hp) | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1,498 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First — 1.5 AT (105 hp) | 105 hp | 135 Nm | 1,498 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First — 1.5 MT (109 hp) | 109 hp | 143 Nm | 1,498 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First — 1.5 AT (109 hp) | 109 hp | 143 Nm | 1,498 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First — 1.6 MT (110 hp) | 110 hp | 165 Nm | 1,597 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First — 1.6 AT (110 hp) | 110 hp | 165 Nm | 1,597 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First — 1.6 MT (118 hp) | 118 hp | 165 Nm | 1,597 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| First — 1.6 AT (118 hp) | 118 hp | 165 Nm | 1,597 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First — 1.8 AT (115 hp) | 115 hp | 163 Nm | 1,769 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First — 1.8 AT (117 hp) | 117 hp | 163 Nm | 1,769 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First — 1.8 AT (120 hp) | 120 hp | 163 Nm | 1,769 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| First — 2.0 CVT | 145 hp | 178 Nm | 1,998 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Second — 1.5 AT (FWD) | 109 hp | 148 Nm | 1,498 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | FWD |
| Second — 1.5 AT (AWD) | 109 hp | 148 Nm | 1,498 cc | 92 | 4, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second — 2.0 CVT | 133 hp | 191 Nm | 1,997 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
| Third — 1.8 CVT | 131 hp | 174 Nm | 1,798 cc | 95 | 4, Inline | No | Variable | FWD |
The strongest documented choice is the first-generation 2.0 CVT at 145 hp, which is 12 hp above the second-generation 2.0 CVT and 14 hp above the third-generation 1.8 CVT. The second-generation 2.0 CVT instead has the highest torque at 191 Nm: 13 Nm more than the first-generation 2.0 CVT and 17 Nm more than the third-generation 1.8 CVT.
Calculated specific output also distinguishes versions. The first-generation 2.0 CVT produces about 72.6 hp per litre. The third-generation 1.8 CVT is nearly identical at about 72.9 hp per litre, while the second-generation 2.0 CVT delivers about 66.6 hp per litre. Among the first-generation 1.6 options, the 118 hp versions produce about 73.9 hp per litre, compared with about 68.9 hp per litre for the 110 hp versions, despite sharing the same 1,597 cc displacement and 165 Nm torque.
For buyers considering a 1.5, the first-generation 109 hp versions add 4 hp and 8 Nm over the 105 hp versions without changing the 1,498 cc capacity. The second-generation 1.5 AT retains 109 hp but raises torque from 143 Nm to 148 Nm, a gain of 5 Nm over the first-generation 109 hp 1.5 AT.
Nissan Bluebird Sylphy performance and fuel consumption
Complete performance and economy measurements exist for only three specifications.
| Generation and version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First — 1.5 MT (105 hp) | 13.2 s | 175 km/h | 8.6 l/100 km | 5.5 l/100 km | 6.7 l/100 km |
| First — 1.8 AT (120 hp, FWD) | 10.8 s | 186 km/h | 10.4 l/100 km | 6.2 l/100 km | 7.6 l/100 km |
| Second — 1.5 AT (FWD) | 13.2 s | 180 km/h | 9.1 l/100 km | 6.2 l/100 km | 8.4 l/100 km |
Every other listed version has not measured acceleration, top-speed and fuel-consumption figures in the supplied data.
Of the measured cars, the first-generation 1.8 AT with 120 hp is quickest: its 10.8-second acceleration time is 2.4 seconds shorter than either measured 1.5. Its 186 km/h maximum is 11 km/h above the first-generation 1.5 MT and 6 km/h above the second-generation 1.5 AT. That performance comes with higher measured consumption: versus the first-generation 1.5 MT, it uses an additional 1.8 l/100 km in the city, 0.7 l/100 km on the highway and 0.9 l/100 km combined.
For economy based strictly on measured values, the first-generation 1.5 MT with 105 hp is the clear choice. Its 6.7 l/100 km combined result is 1.7 l/100 km below the second-generation 1.5 AT and 0.9 l/100 km below the first-generation 1.8 AT. The second-generation 1.5 AT reaches the same measured 13.2-second acceleration time as the first-generation 1.5 MT, but has a 5 km/h higher top speed and uses 1.7 l/100 km more on the combined cycle.
Nissan Bluebird Sylphy weight, clearance and tank capacity
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First — 1.5 MT (105 hp) | 1,130 kg | not measured | 145 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.5 AT (105 hp) | not measured | not measured | 145 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.5 MT (109 hp) | 1,130 kg | 1,405 kg | 155 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.5 AT (109 hp) | not measured | 1,405 kg | 155 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.6 MT (110 hp) | not measured | not measured | 145 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.6 AT (110 hp) | not measured | not measured | 145 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.6 MT (118 hp) | not measured | not measured | 145 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.6 AT (118 hp) | not measured | not measured | 145 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.8 AT (115 hp, AWD) | 1,270 kg | not measured | 160 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.8 AT (117 hp, AWD) | 1,270 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 1.8 AT (120 hp, FWD) | 1,170 kg | 1,445 kg | 145 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| First — 2.0 CVT | not measured | not measured | 145 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| Second — 1.5 AT (FWD) | 1,160 kg | 1,435 kg | 160 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| Second — 1.5 AT (AWD) | 1,250 kg | 1,525 kg | 165 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| Second — 2.0 CVT | 1,230 kg | 1,505 kg | 165 mm | 50 l | not measured |
| Third — 1.8 CVT | 1,240 kg | 1,515 kg | 165 mm | 52 l | not measured |
The second-generation 1.5 AT shows the clearest FWD-versus-AWD comparison. Both have 109 hp and 148 Nm, but the AWD car weighs 1,250 kg, or 90 kg more than the 1,160 kg FWD version. Its gross weight is likewise 90 kg higher, while clearance rises by 5 mm. Calculated weight per horsepower changes from about 10.6 kg/hp for FWD to about 11.5 kg/hp for AWD.
Among versions with both kerb weight and power stated, the first-generation 1.8 AT with 120 hp has the most favourable ratio at about 9.8 kg/hp. The first-generation 1.5 MT with 109 hp follows at about 10.4 kg/hp. The third-generation 1.8 CVT records about 9.5 kg/hp, improving on both second-generation options: about 10.6 kg/hp for the 1.5 AT FWD and about 9.2 kg/hp for the 2.0 CVT.
The third-generation 1.8 CVT has a 52 l tank, 2 l more than every documented first- or second-generation version. Wheel size is not measured for any listed modification.
Which Nissan Bluebird Sylphy version should you buy?
For the lowest measured fuel use, choose the first-generation 1.5 MT with 105 hp. It is the only listed version with a measured 6.7 l/100 km combined figure and combines a 5-speed Manual with FWD. Its trade-off is the slowest measured performance group at 13.2 seconds to 100 km/h.
For the quickest measured performance, choose the first-generation 1.8 AT with 120 hp and FWD. Its 10.8-second acceleration and 186 km/h top speed lead the measured specifications, although its 7.6 l/100 km combined consumption is 0.9 l/100 km above the first-generation 1.5 MT.
For maximum horsepower, the first-generation 2.0 CVT is the answer. It provides 145 hp, 12 hp more than the second-generation 2.0 CVT, but performance, economy and weight are not measured. If torque matters more, the second-generation 2.0 CVT supplies the catalogue-high 191 Nm while retaining FWD and a Variable transmission.
For AWD, the numerical choice depends on capacity and clearance. The first generation offers 1.8 AT versions with 115 or 117 hp and 163 Nm. The second-generation 1.5 AT AWD has 109 hp, 148 Nm and 165 mm clearance. Compared with its FWD counterpart, AWD adds 90 kg and 5 mm of clearance without changing power or torque.
For the simplest later-generation specification, choose the third-generation 1.8 CVT. It combines 131 hp, 174 Nm, FWD, 165 mm clearance and the range’s only 52 l tank. Compared with the second-generation 2.0 CVT, it gives up 2 hp and 17 Nm but is 10 kg heavier and has 2 l more tank capacity. Its acceleration, maximum speed and fuel consumption are not measured.
A fourth-generation recommendation cannot be supported from the supplied catalogue because no versions are listed. Likewise, price, engine price, engine-oil capacity, battery size and tyre size cannot be used to choose between cars: those values are not measured in the data.