Nissan Almera Tino Review (2000 to date)

Quick Summary

If you value the practicality of a Scenic-style mini-MPV but don't want to follow the herd, the Nissan Almera Tino is worth a look. It won't ever win you any style points but if you're looking for safe, well-equipped and surprisingly good fun family transportation here's one option that won't let you down. Get the best of all worlds? It seems you can in this particular Nissan…

Overall:

Models Covered:2000- to DATE: (5dr Mini-MPV 1.8, 2.0 petrol 2.2 diesel [S, SE, SE2, SE+]

TINO TAKE TWO

Whilst most acknowledge that Renault has done more than any other manufacturer to popularise the mini-MPV sector that hasn't stopped several other car makers wading in with their own wares. The Citroen Xsara Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira have both done well, but the Nissan Almera Tino has always been something of a dark horse. Better to drive until most of its rivals, the Tino never struck a significant chord with British buyers, making used examples something of a bargain. With a range of decent engines and the obligatory clever packaging solutions, the Almera Tino makes very smart business second time around…
Used Nissan Almera Tino for sale

History of the Almera Tino

The Almera Tino was introduced in July 2000, and utilised a marketing trick that Renault pioneered, namely using an established name and tacking the mini-MPV designation on at the end. This worked for Renault with the Megane Scenic, enabling customers to understand quite what the new car represented and has worked for countless others (think Xsara Picasso and Toyota Yaris Verso) when selling mini-MPVs that look nothing like their more prosaic progenitors. Do we still need to do this? The Vauxhall Zafira has sold perfectly well without being dubbed an 'Astra Zafira' so it's possibly superfluous. Nevertheless, we'll drop the Almera moniker for now.Available with a range of three engines the Tino's lines were slightly sleeker than the Scenic's, but not as lithe as the subsequent generation of mini-MPVs characterised by the Honda Stream. A 114bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine attracted most buyers, probably due to the fact that the handily punchier 136bhp 2.0-litre powerplant retailed at around £2,000 more when new. The 2.2-litre direct injection diesel was in many ways the most impressive engine in the range, also generating 114bhp but accompanied by major torque and a minor thirst. Four trim levels were available, the basic S, the slightly plusher SE and then the upscale SE2 and SE+ variants. Nissan seemed to take their eye off the ball with the Tino's marketing, the product range spawning confusing Twister and Hurricane editions, but in spring 2003 steps to rectify this were taken. The range was simplified to include just S, SE and SVE trim variations, and the engine range was rationalised. A 115bhp 1.8-litre petrol was offered alongside two Renault-sourced common rail dCi diesel units of either 112 or 136bhp. The car was given a facelift, with clear glass headlamps and an interior which featured the N-FORM dashboard architecture as seen in the Primera and Almera hatch models.
Used Nissan Almera Tino for sale

Nissan Almera Tino Road Test

You probably wouldn't expect the Tino to be much cop to drive, but you'd be wrong. All models have the capacity to entertain, even the lusty diesel. A low centre of gravity and multi-link suspension give good road feel, and a recent Autocar roadholding test pitching the Almera Tino against its hatchback and saloon brethren found the Tino's limits to be the highest of all! So much for boring MPVs. All models sprint to sixty in around 12.5 seconds, although the 1.8-litre models run out of puff at 107mph as opposed to the others 112mph. The 2.0-litre has more torque to play with and the 2.2-litre diesel yet more again with 44mpg capability tucked up its sleeve. One word of warning regards the optional CVT gearbox – don't.
Used Nissan Almera Tino for sale

Buying a Nissan Almera Tino

Not much goes wrong – it's more a case of looking out for worn trim or those cars that have obviously been subjected to more 'challenging' children. All Tinos enjoy a three-year/60,000-mile warranty (check for a full service history to keep it valid) and the best outlet for decent cars is probably through an authorised Nissan dealer, so you might pay a bit more for peace of mind. The franchise's excellent used car programme (not all dealers participate) should be worth the extra cost, though. That said, the Tino is such a reliable proposition that no matter where you shop it would require some persistence to pick a duff one.
Used Nissan Almera Tino for sale

Nissan Almera Tino Typical Pricing

Expect the bidding to start at £3,975 for a 2000 W-plated Tino 1.8 S, with a 1.8 SE at around £4,350. The 2.0-litre models are rarer and you'll need to budget around £4,475 for an SE ranging up to nearly £4,800 for an SE+. The 2.2-litre diesel is, curiously, an uncommon sight but those that are out in the dealer network seem to be performing quite strongly as a used proposition and are valued a fraction below the 2.0-litre petrol model. Insurance for the Tino is also very reasonable ranging as it does between Groups 5 and 8.
Used Nissan Almera Tino for sale

Nissan Almera Tino Parts

(approx. for a 1.8-litre '00 hatchback) A timing chain retails at around £70, an air filter around £10, an oil filter is £7 and spark plugs are around £2.50 each. Those parts that are interchangeable with mainstream Almera models tend to be slightly cheaper than Tino-specific parts, some of which may only be available by special order.
Used Nissan Almera Tino for sale