Nissan R’nessa is one of the most unusual minivans on the market, which combines compact dimensions with a spacious interior and unique design. This model, released specifically for the Japanese market, is gradually gaining popularity beyond its borders. But what is really hidden behind its futuristic exterior? In this article we will analyze the salon in detail R’nessa: from the quality of materials to hidden functions that dealers are silent about.

Many buyers choose R’nessa for its practicality and non-standard approach to organizing space. However, not everyone knows that even in basic configurations there are solutions that you won’t find in competitors like Toyota Sienta or Honda Freed. We will analyze how comfortable the interior is for daily use, what materials are used in the decoration, and reveal several “tricks” that make this car special.

Interior design and ergonomics: convenience or marketing?

The first thing that catches your eye when landing in Nissan R’nessa - This is an unusual front panel layout. Instead of the classic “cockpit”, an asymmetrical console is used here with an emphasis on the driver. The central multimedia screen is shifted to the right, and the climate control unit is located vertically. You will either like this solution at first sight, or it will irritate you for years.

From an ergonomic point of view, steering wheel with paddle shifters (in top versions) and the location of the multimedia control buttons on the spokes is a definite plus. However owners taller than 185 cm note that the ceiling in the driver's seat area seems low due to the panoramic front pillar. This is not critical for short trips, but can cause discomfort on long trips.

  • ✅ Ergonomic advantages:
  • 🔹 Convenient location of the automatic transmission selector (on the center console, not on the steering wheel)
  • 🔹 Good visibility thanks to large windows and thin pillars
  • 🔹 Armrest with height adjustment (in versions with leather trim)
  • ❌ Cons:
  • 🔸 A little cramped for tall passengers in the second row when fully loaded
  • 🔸 Plastic on door cards creaks at low temperatures (according to reviews from owners from cold regions)

Interesting solution - interior lighting with a choice of colors (in versions Highway Star And Style). It not only creates an atmosphere, but also helps to navigate in the dark. However, some owners complain that the blue and green colors are too bright and distract from the road.

📊 Which interior lighting color do you like best?
  • Red
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Purple
  • White (neutral)

Finishing materials: where did Nissan save and where did it overdo it?

B R’nessa Three types of materials are used depending on the configuration: fabric, artificial leather and combined finishing (leather + Alcantara). In the basic version X The interior is upholstered in simple fabric with hard plastic inserts. It's practical, but looks budget-friendly. But in the top Highway Star Stitched leather and soft-touch panels create a premium feel.

Chief jamb of materials - This is plastic on the steering wheel in basic versions. It quickly becomes scuffed, especially if you often ride without gloves. In versions with a leather steering wheel there is no such problem, but the cost of the car also increases by 15–20%.

Equipment Seat material Panel Finish Plastic quality Price (from)
X Fabric Hard plastic Average (creaks in cold weather) 1 800 000 ₽
S Faux leather Soft plastic + aluminum inserts good 2 100 000 ₽
Style Combined (leather + Alcantara) Soft plastic with stitching Excellent 2 450 000 ₽
Highway Star Genuine leather Premium plastic + decorative inserts Premium 2 700 000 ₽

Deserves special attention cabin noise insulation. B R’nessa she's better than Toyota Sienta, but worse than Honda Freed. At speeds above 100 km/h, noise from the wheels begins to leak in, especially if tires with an aggressive tread are installed. In top versions, this is partially solved by additional floor insulation.

⚠️ Attention: If you choose a version with fabric trim, keep in mind that light colors (beige, gray) quickly get dirty from child seats or pets. Owners recommend buying covers right away or giving preference to dark shades.

Multimedia and electronics: what it can do and what it can’t?

B Nissan R’nessa multimedia system is used NissanConnect with a screen diagonal of 8 or 9 inches (depending on configuration). The system supports Apple CarPlay And Android Auto, but only in versions S and above. In basic X you will have to be content with the standard navigation, which, to put it mildly, is not very accurate.

One of the most useful solutions is wireless charging for smartphone (available in Style And Highway Star). However, there is a caveat: it is located too close to the gearshift lever, and the phone may interfere with gear shifting (if you have a manual transmission). Versions with automatic transmission do not have this problem.

  • 📱 Pros of multimedia:
  • 🔹 Quick connection CarPlay/Android Auto (in top versions)
  • 🔹 Clear screen with good viewing angles
  • 🔹 Voice control (recognizes commands in Japanese and English)
  • 🚫 Cons:
  • 🔸 No support for Russian language in the menu (only in navigation)
  • 🔸 Slow operation of standard navigation
  • 🔸 Basic version does not have Bluetooth for music (only for calls)

Separately worth mentioning digital dashboard, which is only in Highway Star. It allows you to customize the display of speed, fuel consumption and even tire pressure. However, some owners complain that in sunny weather the screen is blinding, and it is difficult to see information without a visor.

How to update the multimedia firmware?

To update the NissanConnect firmware, you need to download the file from the official Nissan Japan website, write it to a flash drive (FAT32) and insert it into a USB port. The update takes ~20 minutes and cannot be interrupted - this may lead to a system crash. After the update, all saved radio stations and Bluetooth settings are reset.

Interior transformation: how to fold the seats and what will fit?

Main advantage R’nessa Compared to conventional hatchbacks, this is the ability to transform the interior. The second row of seats can be moved back and forth by 20 cm, and can also be folded in a 60:40 ratio. However, there are several nuances here:

  1. Folding the second row takes longer than competitors due to inconvenient latches.
  2. With seats fully folded cargo compartment length is 1.8 m, but the height is limited due to the sloping roof.
  3. Unlike Honda Freed, there is no function here Magic Seat (lifting seats for transporting high loads).

What actually fits in the cabin?

  • 🛒 Shopping: 10 large bags from the supermarket + baby stroller (if you fold one row of seats).
  • 🚴 Bicycle: Only for children or folding (an adult does not fit even with the front wheel removed).
  • 🐕 Dog: A Labrador or Shepherd will fit, but it will be cramped. For large breeds it is better to use a trunk.
  • 🛏️ Furniture: A disassembled chair or small table (maximum load height is 1 m).

Interesting solution - folding table on the back of the front seats (optional on versions Style And Highway Star). It is comfortable for second-row passengers, but cannot support a weight of more than 2 kg, so it cannot be used as a laptop stand.

Fold/unfold the second row of seats (should work smoothly)

Check the clamps (there should be no play)

Measure the length of the trunk with the seats folded (to suit your needs)

Try loading a heavy object (for example, a toolbox) -->

Hidden interior features that dealers don't talk about

B Nissan R’nessa There are several Easter eggs that are not mentioned in the instructions, but can make life easier:

  1. Hidden compartment under the trunk floor. If you lift the mat, there is a recess for storing small items (documents, chargers). However, it is not sealed - water can get in there when washed.
  2. Eco Drive mode with hints. In some versions, when this mode is activated, prompts appear on the screen when it is better to change gear to save fuel.
  3. Additional USB port. There is a hidden connector in the glove compartment USB Type-A, which can be used to connect a flash drive with music (works only in versions with NissanConnect).
  4. Adjusting the brightness of the button illumination. If you hold down the headlights button for 3 seconds, you can switch the dashboard brightness modes.

Another little-known feature - built-in air purifier (optional in top versions). It turns on automatically when the climate control is activated and helps fight dust and allergens. However, the filter needs to be changed every 15,000 km, and it is not cheap (~3,000 rubles).

⚠️ Attention: In versions with ProPILOT (semi-autonomous driving system) has a hidden function Traffic Jam Pilot, which helps in traffic jams. However, it only works at speeds up to 60 km/h and requires clear markings. On Russian roads, its effectiveness is reduced due to poor coverage.

Comparison with competitors: who is better?

Main competitors Nissan R’nessa in the compact minivan market is Toyota Sienta, Honda Freed And Daihatsu Taft. Let's compare them based on key interior parameters:

Parameter Nissan R’nessa Toyota Sienta Honda Freed Daihatsu Taft
Interior space (2nd row) Medium (tight for highs) Good (more legroom) Excellent (most spacious) Narrow (suitable for children only)
Seat transformation Folds 60:40, slides Folds completely Easy Flat Magic Seat (seats raise) Folding only, no sliding
Quality of materials Good in the top, average in the base Consistently high Premium (best of all) Budget (lots of hard plastic)
Multimedia NissanConnect (CarPlay with S) Toyota Smart Connect (CarPlay from all versions) Honda Connect (best interface) Simple system without CarPlay
Price (basic version) ~1 800 000 ₽ ~1 950 000 ₽ ~2 100 000 ₽ ~1 600 000 ₽

If you need maximum space, then Honda Freed is the best choice. For those who appreciate reliability and simplicity, will do Toyota Sienta. A Nissan R’nessa beats competitors due to unusual design And flexible packaging (you can choose a version with a hybrid engine or all-wheel drive).

💡

Nissan R'nessa is the best choice for those who are looking for a balance between practicality and original design. It loses to the Honda Freed in spaciousness, but wins in price and unique interior features.

Owner reviews: real operating experience

To form an objective opinion about the salon R’nessa, we analyzed reviews from owners from Russia, Japan and Southeast Asian countries. Here are the points they highlight most often:

  • 👍 Pros (according to reviews):
  • 🔹 “I like the interior design better than the competitors - it looks modern” (Alexey, Moscow)
  • 🔹 “It’s convenient that you can adjust the height of the floor in the trunk (optional Flex Board)" (Takashi, Tokyo)
  • 🔹 “The hybrid version has a very quiet electric cabin” (Ivan, St. Petersburg)
  • 👎 Cons (according to reviews):
  • 🔸 “The plastic on the doors creaks after a year of operation” (Sergey, Yekaterinburg)
  • 🔸 “The second row is too low - passengers rest their knees on the front seats” (Maria, Novosibirsk)
  • 🔸 “Multimedia is buggy when connecting Android Auto” (Dmitry, Krasnoyarsk)

Interesting point: many owners from Japan praise R’nessa for low vibration level on the go, while Russian drivers often complain about stiff suspension, which conveys all the irregularities of the road. This is due to the fact that Japanese roads are smoother and the suspension settings there are softer.

It is also worth noting that in R’nessa no heated steering wheel even in top versions, which causes dissatisfaction among owners from cold regions. But here there is heated front and rear seats (option in Style And Highway Star).

💡

If you buy a used R'nessa, be sure to check the operation of the electric seat drives (in versions with memory settings). They often fail due to moisture getting into the contacts.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about the interior of the Nissan R'nessa

🔧 Is it possible to install Android Auto in the basic version X?

No, in the basic version X no support Android Auto And Apple CarPlay at the software level. The only way out is to replace the head unit with an after-market version (for example, Pioneer or Alpine), but this will void your media warranty.

👶 Are ISOFIX child seats suitable for R’nessa?

Yes, there are two anchors on the second row ISOFIX, but they are located close to the back of the front seat. Because of this, some models of chairs (for example, Cybex Cloud Z) may rest and not become straight. Please check compatibility with your chair before purchasing.

🔋 What is the real fuel consumption in a city with air conditioning?

In versions with petrol engine 1.2 Turbo consumption is 8–9 l/100 km when actively using the air conditioner. In the hybrid version (e-Power) this figure decreases to 5–6 l/100 km, but only when driving smoothly. In traffic jams, consumption can rise to 7 l/100 km.

🎵 Is it possible to improve the sound of the standard audio system?

Standard audio system in R’nessa rather weak (especially bass). Many owners install an additional subwoofer in the trunk or change the front speakers to Focal or Morel. Replacing the standard amplifier with a more powerful one (for example, Alpine KTA-450).

🚗 Is R'nessa suitable for taxis?

Technically yes, but there are some nuances:

  1. The second row is a bit cramped for passengers taller than 180 cm.
  2. The trunk is small for large luggage (eg suitcases for 4 people).
  3. In versions with fabric trim, the interior quickly gets dirty.

If you are choosing a taxi car, it is better to consider Toyota Sienta or Honda Freed — they are more spacious and more practical.