[Marley&Me]

So I recently posted about the Captiva and got a lot of 'Craptiva' responses

I'm now seriously looking at the Dualis +2 and have been offered a great deal (I think) on the Ti-L (top model). I would hope to have 3 carseats across the middle and my eldest in a booster in the back (DS7).

What do you think of your car? What do you love/hate? Can you fit three carseats across the centre row? What are your thoughts on the rear seats? How do you find the performance/petrol consumption?

Would love to hear any advice/thoughts?

Thanks for your time

[Hairy Maclary]

Will be stalking this thread, as we are eyeing off this car too

[42n8]

I have the Ti model - not the 4wd model. It's a fantastic car. Cheap to run, service and insure. I get approx 700km to a tank on average.

I have 2 meridian car seats in the second row and there is still room for a 3rd person to 'squeeze' in between (or lower the centre console but it's really tricky to get the seatbelt done up for that centre person. I think you'd really struggle to get any kind of 3rd car seat or booster in there as well. Infact, I just went and measured and there's only a 28cm gap between the widest points of the meridians.

The boot space is terrific and I love the under boot compartment for all my extra baby bits (pram rain covers, nappy wallet, first aid, kit, umbrella etc).

I also love that there is an extra cigarette plug in the centre console of the second row (in the back when up). This is brilliant for the kids dvd player to be plugged into and/or our car fridge for longer trips without having cables running through the car and tangling around the handbrake etc.

However, the not-so-good issues (which arent so much of an issue for me with only 2 kids but...

When you have 2 car seats on the second row, it's near impossible to get through to the 3rd row from the side doors. The seat will still slide forward but your lose all possibility of the backrest tilting forward to allow comfortable access.

There are only 2 anchor points on the second row. The std dualis has 3. The +2 does not.

The 3rd row has no anchor points at all and it is not legal to have them fitted (so I was advised). I have had a booster in that row which fits easily but my nephew had to climb in from the rear door to get into it (because of the car seats in the 2nd row blocking access from that way). Luckily he can do up his own seatbelt. And my city select pram (2 seater mode) still fit in beside him easily.

The 3rd row legroom is very minimal. Truly it would suit someone up to maybe 4.5ft tall max. There's heaps of headroom in the back - that's not a problem but the foot well is shallow so only really comfy for a child. I'm 5'4" tall and I've been back there for short trips but kill me if I had to sit in the 3rd row for any longer than 1/2hr before my legs go numb.

Before buying my +2 I had a volvo v40 wagon. I loved that car but it was $$$ to service and morethan double the insurance cost. The +2 has a bigger boot and there is slightly more cabin roon than the volvo too (the new V60 is bigger however). The thing I really miss about my volvo is the power. Both cars are 4 cylinders but my volvo had a turbo so when I put my foot down - you knew it - the dualis is a little slower on the pick up in that respect. But then again, having a bit extra zoom is not an essential element to my driving these days.

Oh, and my girls absolutely adore the moon roof - especially when it's raining. To me, it's a novelty that wasnt a selling point to me at all - I just wanted the Ti for the leather interior but now we have it, my girls think it's the ants pants.

The auto wipers and lights are great too. And my life is completel now that i have discovered seat warmers. Heaven! Lol.

Cant think of what else to say so I hope that helps but feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

[Marley&Me]

There are only 2 anchor points on the second row. The std dualis has 3. The +2 does not.

Oh, and my girls absolutely adore the moon roof - especially when it's raining. To me, it's a novelty that wasnt a selling point to me at all - I just wanted the Ti for the leather interior but now we have it, my girls think it's the ants pants.

The auto wipers and lights are great too. And my life is completel now that i have discovered seat warmers. Heaven! Lol.

Cant think of what else to say so I hope that helps but feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Thank you 42n8 for your reply, it was exactly what I was hoping for - so much info I appreciate your time!

It's a worry about the extra anchor point in the 2nd row and I will have to follow up as the guy said there was one, I didn't actually look for it though....

I too love the roof and yes, think it woould be so lovely watching the rain - I think I'd be a little like your girls myself lol! I know my kids would fascinated too. And seat warmers, what a luxury! I currently have a Holden Rodeo and it gas been great but no frills.

Thank you for your offer too to pm with further questions I will probably take you up on it over the next few weeks when I think of things if you don't mind?!

Thanks again

[Super Cat]

We looked at the Captiva and Dualis +2, as well as the Toyoto Kluger. The Dualis is just too small. DH is tall and his head was hitting the roof. The boys legs had to slide under the middle row seats if try sat in the third row. There's no room for their legs at all.

We thought the Captiva was muc much better. More room and DH could sit comfortably in it. The boys sat really well in the back row. In saying that we ended up getting the Kluger. It had a few extras we wanted plus I loved the idea of the captains seats.

[*smitten*]

I have the +2 Ti-L. Happy to answer any questions. We haven't tried fitting 3 carseats in, only two, however there are three anchor points on the second row!
Petrol use seems okay, much better than our previous car. Though like someone else said, being a 4 cylinder lacks the power we were use to.

We bought the +2 for the extra boot space rather than the extra seats, they're rather small though. Definitely for children! You'd also be really lacking in boot space if they 3rd row was in permanent use.

The kids love the moonroof and the all round cameras are great. Screen size is a bit small though. DH is 6'1" and has no problems height wise in the car. Overall very happy with the car.

[saxa]

I only have one child and have the Dualis Ti.

Love this car.

Enough room for DS and a few friends, boot big enough for shopping etc

Have had great service from Nissan,for the price I would find it hard to find a better car.

[Marley&Me]

Thanks Super Cat for your reply! We'd love a Kluger but unfortunately e can't justify the expense at present. We were going to buy one about four years ago and regretted not following through ever since

I have the +2 Ti-L. Happy to answer any questions. We haven't tried fitting 3 carseats in, only two, however there are three anchor points on the second row!
Petrol use seems okay, much better than our previous car. Though like someone else said, being a 4 cylinder lacks the power we were use to.

We bought the +2 for the extra boot space rather than the extra seats, they're rather small though. Definitely for children! You'd also be really lacking in boot space if they 3rd row was in permanent use.

The kids love the moonroof and the all round cameras are great. Screen size is a bit small though. DH is 6'1" and has no problems height wise in the car. Overall very happy with the car.

Thank you so much for your reply and offer to answer any further questions

I actually rang to carseat fitter today and apparently three seats should be able to fit across the middle seat (he looked it up on the NRMA site apparently) and even offered to try it for me if we took it for a test drive and confirmed the anchor points too

I'm a big kid and love the roof too

I only have one child and have the Dualis Ti.

Love this car.

Enough room for DS and a few friends, boot big enough for shopping etc

Have had great service from Nissan,for the price I would find it hard to find a better car.

The price and what the car has to offer plus running costs are a huge seller for us at the moment despite the size. I'm glad you are happy with yours

Thank you too for your reply!