Nissan's current television advertising campaign touting its new 200SX coupe is well produced. In one commercial, an anxious, middle-age, gentleman with his two-seat, souped-up sports machine meets a sultry, 100-pound mystery lady at the airport; only to realize the coupe's teeny-tiny trunk just can't accommodate her 200 pounds of luggage. A second commercial takes a comical look at the inverse relationship between sports car and gas mileage. These clever commercials drive home two major selling points of Nissan's new front-wheel-drive, two-door, entry-level sports coupe; great mileage and ample trunk room. Three 200SX trim levels are sold: base 200SX, well-equipped 200SX SE and performance-level 200SX SE-R. Our five-speed manual transmission 200SX SE test car registered an impressive 36 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving. This is on target with fuel estimates of 30 mpg city, and 40 mpg highway, which is better than many subcompact competitors. One key reason 200SX is able to squeeze the most out of a gallon of gas is its 115 horsepower, 1.6-liter, double-overhead-cam, four-cylinder, multipoint fuel-injected engine, which is standard in base and SE editions. Coupled with a five-speed manual transmission, this relatively small power package provides ample pickup and acceleration while maintaining superior mileage ratings. The SE-R models come standard with a larger 2.0-liter engine. Optional four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive drops fuel figures a couple notches. Both powertrains are also found in Nissan's newly-redesigned four-door Sentra sedan. Both Sentra and 200SX incorporate Nissan's rear multi-link beam suspension which helps maximizes interior room by stretching the wheelbase, but not body length. Wheelbase, which is defined as the distance between the front and rear axles, measures 98.8 inches on both vehicles. While 200SX and Sentra share many interior and under body design cues, their body styles are notably distinct. Trunk design, as exemplified in the TV campaign, is excellent. A low liftover makes loading and unloading bags of any size an easy task. The backseat incorporates a 60/40 split, making it possible to conveniently transport longer items. Base models start at about $12,000. Our 200SX SE with a long list of standard equipment, had a bottom line of $15,259, including a $450 optional sunroof and $390 destination charge. Nissan described our exterior color as 'Bright Royal Blue,' although it looked remarkably purple to most eyes. Both SE and SE-R editions are marketed with popular items standard including air conditioning, power door locks and windows, cruise control, fog lamps and power steering. The SE-R trim level adds remote keyless entry. All 200SX cars, including the base model, are equipped with dual outside mirrors, tinted glass, rear defroster, tilt steering column and intermittent wipers. Inside, temperature settings and fan speed are dial controlled, and within easy reach of both front-seat passengers. The stereo and pull-out dual cup holders are located under the climate center. Map pockets in both front doors along with several small storage areas corral loose change and other items. Speedometer, tachometer and other dashboard instruments are large, smartly laid out and easy to read. Cruise control must be activated from a dashboard toggle switch, while set and resume buttons are mounted on the steering wheel. Drivers have a good view of the road ahead and to the side, but thick rear roof pillars and a steep, sloping rear windshield create blind spots that drivers must contend with. Reclining cloth bucket seats are comfortable and supportive. Headroom is adequate in front, even with our optional sunroof which in some cases, steels away valuable headroom. Back seat headroom and legroom is better than most of 200SX's worthy competitors, but it is still tight for persons over six feet tall. Outside, the rounded, aerodynamic exterior is a bit conservative for a sports coupe. The optional $150 rear-deck spoiler helps, but the design needs more pizzazz. On the open road, the car handles exceptionally well. Body sway is kept at a minimum during hard turns. Safety features include driver and passenger air bags, energy-absorbing steering column, 5-mile-per-hour safety bumpers and steel-side door beams. However, anti-lock brakes are optional on SE and SE-R trim levels and not available on base editions. Built in Smyrna, Tenn., located about twenty miles south of Nashville, 200SX shares assembly line time with the entry-level Sentra sedan, mid-size Altima and all Nissan trucks. Nissan's Motor Manufacturing Corporation U.S.A. assembly plant began production in 1983. The 200SX lives up to all its witty hype |