1999 Nissan Primera Hatchback Photos, engines & full specs

Nissan refreshed the second generation of its mid-size lineup vehicle, Primera, in 1999, just three years after the model’s introduction, and one of the stars was the hatchback version.

While the sedan was selling more units than the rest of the Primera range, the hatchback was built in UK and had some aces up its sleeves when it came to delivery times. Nissan knew this, so it focused on increasing quality and providing the car with significant upgrades to make it more attractive to its customers. Unlike other mid-size hatchbacks from that era, such as the Ford Mondeo, the Primera looked more like a sedan.

When the automaker prepared the 1999 Primera, it focused on the car’s styling, which was not highly appreciated in the 1996 model. As a result, Nissan implemented the new design language with the “Flying wing” element on the grille, which was integrated into the hood. The headlights that flanked it sported a more organic shape, with curved lines and sharp inner angles. For the upper trim levels, these were fitted with Xenon brights that greatly improved nighttime driving situations. Lower, on the apron, the automaker installed a rectangular air intake to complement the cooling area. As an option, customers could get the Primera with fog lamps.

Nissan offered the Primera in a few grades, the most affordable ones being fitted with steel wheels and plastic caps. At the other end of the range, customers got it with light alloy wheels. From its profile, the 1999 Primera hatchback featured an ascending waistline with body-colored door mirrors and handles. Behind the rear doors, the C-pillars were wider at their bottom compared to the sedan. The sloped tailgate also featured a metallic flat horizontal beneath the rear window where the automaker installed a small wing. Finally, at the back, the smoked taillights were homologated to withstand parking bumps at speeds of up to 5 mph (8 kph).

Inside, the most noticeable change was on the dashboard, which was covered by a soft-touch plastic. As a result, the entire ambiance resembled the one from an upscale vehicle. Furthermore, the automaker offered the Primera Hatchback with a stereo integrated into the center stack, thus avoiding thefts. A CD changer and tape player were also on the options list. Fronting the driver was a rounded-shaped instrument cluster where the speedometer took center stage and was flanked by the tachometer on the left and the fuel and coolant temperature gauges on the right, above a small LCD for the odometer.

Under the hood, Nissan installed Euro 3 engines that were mandatory starting in January 2000. In addition, it introduced a new 1.8-liter powerplant. The automaker offered the Primera with a choice of five-speed manuals, four-speed automatics, and a CVT, depending on the engine and options.