Nissan Sunny

 Nissan Sunny is popular in India

Nissan Sunny – The Everyday Reliable Compact

Overview

The Nissan Sunny is a compact car produced by Nissan from 1966 to 2006 in Japan (with later production continuing in some regions under different names). Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordable running costs, the Sunny became a household name in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Europe.

In many markets, it was also sold as:

• Nissan Sentra (North America)

• Nissan Almera (Europe, later years)

• Datsun Sunny (early years, especially before the Nissan brand fully replaced Datsun in the 1980s)

Generations & Production

1. B10 (1966–1970) – First Sunny, rear-wheel drive, offered as sedan, coupe, wagon.

2. B110 (1970–1973) – Popular “Datsun 1200” era, lightweight and fuel-efficient.

3. B210 (1973–1977) – Slightly larger body, improved comfort.

4. B310 (1977–1981) – Last RWD Sunny, more refined design.

5. B11 (1981–1985) – Switched to front-wheel drive, better interior space.

6. B12 (1985–1990) – Sharper styling, improved suspension.

7. B13 (1990–1994) – Simple, boxy, durable; still used as a taxi in some countries.

8. B14 (1994–1998) – Rounded design, more comfort features.

9. B15 (1998–2006) – Modernized shape, better safety; last generation in Japan.

Engines & Performance

The Sunny was designed for economy rather than outright performance, but some sporty trims existed.

• Engine Sizes: 1.0L to 1.8L, mostly inline-4 petrol engines (GA, E, QG series).

• Diesel Options: 1.7L–2.0L in certain markets for fuel economy.

• Transmissions:

  • 4-speed & 5-speed manual

  • 3-speed & 4-speed automatic

• Drive Layout:

  • Early models: Rear-Wheel Drive (1966–1981)

  • Later models: Front-Wheel Drive (1981 onwards)

Body Styles

• 2-door & 4-door sedans

• 5-door hatchbacks

• Station wagons

• Light commercial van versions in certain markets

Key Features Over the Years

• Fuel efficiency (often exceeding 15–18 km/L in smaller engines).

• Simple mechanics, easy to maintain.

• Comfortable ride for its class.

• Air conditioning and power steering available in higher trims (especially post-90s).

• Some models had basic safety features like airbags and ABS in later years.

Special / Performance Versions

While most Sunnys were economy-focused, certain trims like the Sunny GTI-R (N14 Pulsar-based) had a turbocharged 2.0L AWD system producing over 220 hp — but these were rare and based on related models, not the standard Sunny sedan.

Legacy & Popularity

• In countries like Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines, the Sunny became a symbol of reliability.

• Known for long service life — many 90s models are still running daily.

• Simple engineering makes it a favorite among taxi drivers and budget-conscious owners.

• The Sunny name was phased out in most markets in the 2000s, replaced by models like the Nissan Versa/Latio.