A unique spin-off: Is the 2022 Nissan Livina worth getting in 2023?

It's no secret that Nissan and Mitsubishi are in a corporate alliance; this partnership benefits both as they can share parts, technology, and platforms.

The recent result of that partnership here in the Philippines is the 2022 Nissan Livina. It is the mechanical twin to the Mitsubishi Xpander that comes with its unique design and set of features.

As both vehicles are available on the market, this begs the question, is the Nissan Livina worth getting, or does its twin present a better value-for-money proposition?

V-motion design - heading in the right direction

The Nissan Livina uses the same body as the Mitsubishi Xpander; from the driver door, backward parts are interchangeable between the two. The Livina has the upper hand when it comes to the front. 

It has a distinctly Nissan design with its massive V-motion grille and large halogen headlights. Like its twin, it also gets LED daytime running lights positioned near the hood, but these are swept back more.

One of our co-workers who saw the unit we had on loan out said it best, “it sort of looks like a chipmunk,” and we can’t help but agree. If the Xpander is futuristic and imposing, this one has more of a “cute” appeal, which is excellent for those who want a calmer-looking MPV.

At the back, the Nissan Livina gets a different tailgate from its twin with a different bumper. The Nissan MPV gets a sportier rear bumper with massive diffuser accents. It also gets the same tail light shape but with a different layout, forming a “sideways V-shape” when lit up.

All these elements together create a unique yet familiar design that helps separate it from Xpander and the rest of its competition.

A moderate amount of technology

The Nissan Livina carries the minimum industry standard regarding its interior technology. It has a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity support and a reverse camera.

While these features are great, they must catch up with other MPVs and 7-seater crossovers that carry Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. It doesn’t help that the resolution of the reverse camera is on the darker side, making it hard to use it at night. 

There is a smartphone mirror function. However, we found it challenging to use as the head unit didn’t support more modern Android phones.

It also has two USB ports at the front and a 12-volt socket in the third row for charging purposes.

What is absent in the Nissan MPV that is present in its Mitsubishi twin is cruise control; it's a feature we wish was present. 

Regardless these essential features are still ones we appreciate as they are modern amenities that are great for everyday use.

A familiar but functional interior

If you look closely at the cabin of the Livina, it resembles the first iteration of the Xpander in the Philippines. It has a sloping dashboard with a few vertical design elements inside. Its plastics are durable but could be better to the touch. 

The use of the material hints at a more practical interior design which is excellent for regular use.

Storage space is excellent inside the Livina as cubby holes can be utilized above the glovebox and under the center console to place small loose items.

Aside from this, the interior is spacious, with plenty of headroom available. Shoulder room can be an issue for broader individuals, with two per row being the ideal configuration. 

Legroom is tight, especially for the third row. This lack of space can make long road trips a hassle for passengers at the back. It's no Honda BR-V in terms of space, but it is enough for short trips around the city or for kids to sit at the back.

Cargo space is decent, with three balikbayan boxes able to fit inside the vehicle with all seats folded and one with room to spare when the second row is folded. With the third row up, there is just enough room for overnight luggage or a foldable wheelchair to fit at the back. 

The space available is standard for the small MPV segment in the Philippines. It's suitable for a starting family and a great “barkada” car for those looking to ferry their friends from place to place. 

The same 1.5-liter gasoline engine

Under the hood, the Nissan Livina is powered by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder 16-valve gasoline engine, producing 105 PS and 141 Nm of torque.

It lives on 91 octane, the minimum fuel you can feed it, and is front-wheel drive. Power is sent to the wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission.

It may seem like a bit of power on paper, but it is on par with its competition, which has less torque. More torque is excellent, especially if you fully load the MPV. 

We noticed that Livina’s transmission is a little hesitant to get going compared to its Xpander counterpart. While its Misubshi sibling is eager to get going, the Nissan MPV is a little more laid back, which is suitable for a smoother drive.

Standard safety equipment

The Nissan Livina isn’t a class leader regarding safety equipment. What it has is the industry standard which includes dual front airbags, ABS, vehicle dynamic control, traction control, hill start assist, parking sensors, and ISOFIX anchors. 

These features don’t make the MPV stand out against its competition but let it blend in with them instead.

Is it worth it?

The Nissan Livina has a price range between ₱1,029,000 to 1,224,000; this puts it squarely against the likes of its brother, the Xpander, and the Toyota siblings, the Veloz and the Avanza. It even faces off against Chinese offerings such as the GAC GN6 and the Maxus G50. 

Its pricing puts the MPV in a precarious position as the other brands offer more technology and features for roughly the same price. This makes it a tough buy for those who want to maximize their budget, but if you are a fan of the brand and like this MPV, then you can’t go wrong with what it offers.

The Nissan Livina carves a niche for the MPV buyer who wants something simple and to the point. It doesn't shower you with anything fancy but gets the job done at the end of the day. It's practical and echoes what its first generation brought to the table, a sensible seven-seater MPV.

What do you think? Does the Nissan Livina have enough distinctiveness to make it a worthy MPV for your money?