I'VE HAD AN irrational fear of Nissan saloons ever since my grandfather acquired a Nissan Sunny and subjected us all to interminable lectures about shoes, scuff marks on leather seats and what would happen to any child who touched the electric windows. Approaching the Cefiro 230JM, I feel like a seven-year-old again and check that my hands are clean before touching the doors.
From the outside, the Cefiro doesn't really stand out. It's a reasonable-looking car with generously curved roof and lines that look sleek and polished. I would have a hard time picking it out in a lineup, but this isn't a car aiming for flashy looks. Everything about the design murmurs 'discreet'. In keeping with the executive image, the capacity of the boot is measured in golf-bags. It takes five to be exact, plus three sports bags. And the lid opens right up so you don't risk scuffing the covers as you fit them in.
My first impression on opening the door is that I've stepped into another, possibly European, car. The squashy leather seats, the wood inserts on the steering wheel and doors, and the high-quality finish are a surprise. The driver's seat has a two-setting memory, so no more struggling with your fellow driver over who gets to sit in comfort. The roof is covered with a slightly furry material and has a slide-open sunroof that brightens drives. The rear seat has a generous armrest, but the passenger seat wins hands down with its extendable airline-style foot rest. It's like being in the back of a Maybach, but without having to take out a second mortgage to pay for the experience. I resist the urge to instruct my passengers to return their seats to upright position as we're about to land.
The entertainment system is excitingly called the 'Human Machine Interface'. This translates as being idiot-proof. The six-stack CD player is simple to operate and has six matching speakers. In keeping with the tranquillity of the drive, we cruise around to the dulcet tones of Joao Gilberto.
I like the Cefiro's keyless system, which activates the doors even if the key is at the bottom of a briefcase. Such details normally come in more expensive cars.
Centre space has been freed up by the foot-operated parking brake. I'm happy to embrace innovation when it comes to keys, but I worry about footbrakes because I'm never quite sure if I've applied them correctly or if the car will be at the bottom of a hill before I've put my coat on. Nissan has put the extra space to good use, with a smart wooden panel for the chunky gear stick.