Nissan has started a new model blitz with a total of eleven new vehicles being launched worldwide during an eighteen month period. Some, such as the very successful Qashqai, open new niches in the market. Today's test car, the Tiida saloon, is much more traditional in its design. It has been on sale in Asian markets since 2004, with four door and five door body styles. Irish buyers are well behind the Western European move towards the hatchback and the wagon, which in some countries now outnumber the sales of the traditional three box saloon by two or three to one. So, we are one of the few countries in this part of the world to get the saloon. That said, the Tiida is well suited to the Irish market. For those who do want it, the hatchback body style is available here, too.

For Nissan Ireland, the Almera was a very big seller over the years, particularly in its four door saloon body. This was dropped in next generation, which is typified by the very different Qashqai. Logical, therefore, to seek out a suitable replacement somewhere in Nissan vast array of models worldwide.

The Tiida fills the bill ideally and was already in production for right hand drive countries such as Thailand.

Two engine versions are offered here, a modern 1.5-litre diesel with 105bhp plus a 6 speed gearbox and a 1.6-litre petrol with 11Obhp and 5 speed gearbox – this latter engine may also be ordered with a four-speed automatic transmission. While the diesel is certainly the nicest overall package, giving strong performance and very good economy, the €2,850 extra demanded makes it a questionable proposition for many private buyers.

Starting prices for the SE trim are €20,995 for the 1.6-litre petrol and EUR23,845 for the 1.5 litre diesel, which is the well known Renault unit. Add €1,500 for better equipped SVE models. Weighing in at just under 1,200kg, the four door saloon is not too heavy, so the 11Obhp engine gives a quite peppy performance. The car will get to 100 km /h from rest in 10.7 seconds and top speed is quoted at 185 km/h.

The engine is smooth and flexible, so, most of the time, the absence of a sixth gear is no handicap whatever and the gear change quality is good. However, if you travel a lot on Ireland's expanding motorway network, you will discover that at the speed limit of 120km/h, the engine is revving at 3,750rpm, which will have a negative effect on fuel consumption. That said, the official overall figure of 6.91/100km is quite respectable.

The test car came in the upper SVE specification, which includes cruise control. Sometimes, this is not all that useful in a manual transmission car. However, this engine is quite flexible in top gear, thanks to its gearing, so cruise control is surprisingly useful on the motorway and other suitable roads.

Nissan has done an excellent job on the insulation of the Tiida, so, no matter whether you are driving on city streets broken up from road works or at cruising speed on the motorway, very little noise gets into the cabin. This makes the car very relaxing to drive. The Continental Premium Contact 2 tyres, decently sized at 195/65/15, help, too'. The low noise level from them was exemplary.

The Tiida is certainly not a sporting car, yet its dynamics are decent enough for everyday use. However, if you press on a bit, you will find that the ear will under steer and there is some body sway on changes of direction. However, general grip levels, even on wet roads, are satisfactory but any sudden acceleration away from rest will see the front wheels scrabbling for grip – another reason, apart from the safety aspect, why it is regrettable that ESC stability control is extra.

The Tiida makes good family transport. The cabin is exceptionally spacious for this category. The rear compartment, in particular, is commendable. Nothing short of a Skoda Superb has as much space, while the rectangular design of the large doors makes it very easy for the elderly to get on board and, at the younger and of the scale, it is easy to secure small children in their car seats, The suspension is comfortable, too, so those in the back should have little cause for complaint. The big boot will take lots of family luggage but you have to lift items over a high lip.

The driver's seat is comfortable but the position behind the wheel is somewhat compromised as the steering has no telescopic adjustment. The major controls are all straightforward and easy to use. All models have Bluetooth mobile hands free connection, with controls on the steering wheel. It is an example of how simple such systems should be to set up – if only BMW would follow! The SVE models get cruise control, again very easy to operate from the controls on the steering wheel.

Even the SE model is reasonably well equipped, having manual air conditioning with vents front and rear, plus four electric windows. There are lots of internal storage areas, all of a good size. With SVE trim comes climate control, a trip computer, automatic sensing for wipers and lights as well as curtain airbags.

The Nissan Tiida has much to offer to Irish motorists. It is very roomy, decently equipped, comfortable, agreeable to drive and very family-friendly. In comparison to its rivals, it is much better equipped at the price…