NISSAN SUNNY: Which Version Do You Like for Used Car?

First Generation B10 Model Series (1966 - 1970)

The first generation NISSAN SUNNY went on sale in April 1966, after its name was chosen based on eight million submissions that were made in a NISSAN-sponsored national campaign to name its newest product through mail-in ballots.

The four-cylinder engine boasted 988cc displacement and 56 horsepower, with maximum speed of 135km.

In the beginning, only 3-speed manual transmission was available, but by April 1967, 4-speed manual and 3-speed automatic transmissions were made available. At the same time, the 4-door sedan body was also added to the lineup. Moreover, by February 1968, the 2-door coupe was also added.

The body was a monocoque structure, which was considered highly modern and advanced at the time, and focus was on safety as well.

Second Generation B110 Model Series (1970 - 1973)

In January 1980, the SUNNY underwent a model change and evolved into the B110 second generation model. In the beginning, the body types available were the 2-door and 4-door sedans, the 2-door coupe, and the light van, but afterward, the truck, and if considering the number of doors, the 6-door body type was added to the lineup.

Engine displacement was increased to 1,171cc, and power output was also enhanced to 68 horsepower. At the same time, to achieve high speed performance to make use of the higher power output, the strut-type front suspension was used, demonstrating the use of advanced equipment.

In April 1971, minor changes were implemented, and the SUNNY Excellent 1400 with 1,428cc displacement and 85 horsepower were added to the 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe.

The transmission that could be combined with this was, at the time, the 4-speed manual and the 3-speed automatic, but by 1972, the 5-speed manual mission was also made available.

Third Generation B210 Model Series (1973 - 1977)

The third generation model that was introduced in 1973 saw greater expansion in body measurements. The length was expanded by 120mm, and the width by 50mm, achieving greater spaciousness inside. As for the body type, there were the 2-door and 4-door sedan, 3-door hatchback coupe, and 2-door and 4-door van - a total of 5 types.

Using the expansion of the body size, greater effort was made to include elements of high-grade and luxurious vehicles into the design, to give the SUNNY more character and distinction. For the coupe, the 2-door coupe evolved into a fastback style for a more elegant design. Moreover, the entire series was given a long nose/short deck sports taste, changing the design to a style that would appeal to a younger demographic.

In terms of the engine, in addition to the 1,171cc engine with 68 horsepower and the 1,428cc engine with 85 horsepower, to the 1,428cc engine, the 95-horsepower engine with twin carburetor was added in June 1976. At this point, there were three types of engines, including the 1,595cc engine with 92 horsepower that was added in February of the same year. Each was made to adhere to the demands and emission regulations of modern times, and the lineup was expanded and enriched as a result.

Fourth Generation B310 Model Series (1977 - 1983)

In October 1977, the B310 model was introduced - the last model with a FR drive system. The entire length and width were expanded by 50mm. As for the body type, the 2-door and 4-door sedan, 3-door hatchback coupe, and 2-door and 4-door van were made available - a total of five types. The design was made simpler, differentiating it from the third generation model.

The engine lineup consisted of two types: the A12A engine expanded to 1,237cc displacement and the A14 engine with 1,428cc displacement. In 1978, the 1400GX-E grade was born, which carried an A14 engine equipped with an electronically controlled fuel injection system. Later, the engine was changed to the A13 and A15 types, each with increased engine displacement of 100cc.

In October 1979, minor changes were implemented to the interior and exterior. A large alteration was the change in shape of the headlights from rounded to rectangular.

Partial improvements made in December 1978 expanded the number of grades using front disk brakes, and installed shock absorbing bumpers, further demonstrating an increased focus on improving safety features.

In 1979, the SUNNY California, which has been called the origin of the modern-day station wagon, was added in the lineup, increasing usability for leisure and various other purposes.

Fifth Generation B11 Model Series (1981 - 1985)

With the fifth generation model, the SUNNY’s drive system was changed to FF. The body types available were the 4-door sedan, 3-door hatchback coupe, and 4-door wagon. The design implemented a horizontal base with sharp surface design.

Though there were no changes in engine displacement, the model changed from A to E, marking improvements in fuel efficiency, power output, and quietness. In September 1982, Japan’s first vehicle carrying a 1,487cc four-cylinder turbo engine with 115 horsepower was added in the lineup, as well as vehicles carrying 1,680cc four-cylinder diesel engines with 61 horsepower, added in October.

In October 1983, minor changes were implemented not only on the interior and exterior, but on the body types as well. Instead of the 3-door hatchback coupe that was available up until this point, a more youthful design - the 2BOX-style 3-door hatchback - was made available in its place, to appeal to the younger generation.

As for the suspension, the drive system was changed to FF, wide tread, and four-wheel independent suspension systems to improve safety and stability; in addition, handling was improved with the utilization of rack and pinion steering.

Sixth Generation B12 Model Series (1985 - 1990)

The sixth generation model, introduced in 1985, was available with the lineup of 4-door sedan, 3-door hatchback, and the California 5-door wagon. Moreover, for the 4-door sedan, the 4WD system was newly set up. A year later, in 1986, the RZ-1 coupe was added. In 1988, an air roof was added to the 4-door sedan. Its body was a result of an aim to increase rigidity, and thus, the basic functions and performance of the vehicle were greatly improved. Moreover, high-strength steel sheets, zinc-nickel alloy platings, and anti-corrosion sheets were used for the exterior, and the upholstery was designed according to the uniqueness of the body type, thereby focusing more on increasing the satisfaction of users.

The engines, in addition to the 1,300cc and 1,500cc gasoline engines and 1,700cc diesel engines in the lineup, the CA16DE DOHC engine with 1,600cc displacement was added, which boasted 120 horsepower. Furthermore, for vehicles carrying the 1,500cc engine, the engine was updated so that although the engine displacement remained unchanged, the power output and fuel efficiency were greatly improved.

In terms of the drive system, in addition to the FF that was available up to this point, the 4WD was added, and in 1986, this evolved to the full-time 4WD. In June 1988, to the front, rear, and center, triple-viscous full-time 4WD using viscous coupling was installed, further improving maneuverability.

Seventh Generation B13 Model Series (1990 - 1993)

The seventh generation model had two body types available: the 4-door sedan and the 5-door California wagon. As for the design, the popular sixth generation horizontal design was used, with several additions of curved lines.

All the engine were made DOHC, thus improving power output. In addition to the 1,300cc, 1,500cc, and 1,600cc that were available up until now, the 1,800cc gasoline engine was added to the lineup. In terms of the diesel engine, the lineup remained the same, with the 1,700cc diesel engine available.

As for the transmission, the 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual mission were made available.

In terms of the drive system, the FF and 4WD were made available.

Eighth Generation B14 Model Series (1993 - 1999)

The eighth generation that was introduced in January 1994 was developed with a mind for appealing to a wider sector of the audience by increasing drivability and comfort through the expansion of the wheelbase and by increasing the luxuriousness of the interior. The body type was available only as a 4-door sedan.

As for the engines, in addition to the 1,300cc, 1,500cc, 1,600cc, and 1,800cc gasoline engines, the 1,800cc diesel engine was also made available. Though engine displacements were not radically different, improvements were made on fuel efficiency. Additionally, by combining functions with the car body’s air resistance reduction system, fuel consumption was decreased so much so that with the 1,500cc vehicle, fuel consumption of 19.6km/L was achieved.

In 1995, minor changes were implemented on the interior and exterior, and SRS airbags became standard equipment on all driver’s seats, indicating greater improvements on safety. In 1997, the SRS dual airbags and ABS became standard equipment on all front seats. For the exterior as well, the front grille was enlarged.

Ninth Generation B15 Model Series (1998 - 2006)

The ninth generation SUNNY that was introduced in October 1998 was enlarged to the maximum possible for 5 number vehicles, with the total width measuring at 1,695mm. Only the 4-door sedan was available as the body type.

The engine carried was equipped with adjustable bulb timing, with the following options available: 1,796cc displacement and 130 horsepower, 1,596cc and 175 horsepower, 1,295cc and 87 horsepower, 1,497cc and 100/109/106 horsepower - a total of 6 types of gasoline engines - plus the 2,184cc 79 horsepower diesel engine, making the total engine lineup seven types.

The transmission that could be combined with the above were the 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual mission, and in addition, the CVT was newly used. Improvements were made in fuel efficiency.

As for the interior, some grades were installed with car navigation systems as standard equipment.

In May 2002, minor changes were made, focusing mostly on the exterior. The opening of the front bumper was enlarged, and all bumpers were changed to colored bumpers.