Better get this out of the way immediately: although you have to admire a manufacturer which goes its own way on styling, I don't fancy the front-end treatment of the Primera, but that didn't stop me thinking that the latest turbo diesel, in the top T-Spec listing, is a very satisfactory machine.Nissan builds Primeras at Sunderland, and the technical centre at Cranfield makes sure that the UK and European versions are quite different in many ways from the Japanese-market cars. The company likes to say that the two different model streams have fewer than 20% of parts in common.There used to be a four-door saloon as well as the five-door hatchback tested here, but that was always a minority seller and has disappeared from the current range. Around 85% of UK buyers go for the hatchback, 15% for the estate.The T-Spec has ESP, a tyre pressure monitor and cruise control added to the already generous one-level-down SXE specification, although in the turbo diesel it's basic cruise control. Only the two-litre petrol variant gets the "intelligent" system which keeps a beady eye on the traffic in front. And it's only the petrol model which is available with Nissan's own CVT transmission. The 2.2-litre dCi (Nissan has started to use Renault designations for its diesel engines) comes with a six-speed manual box.Metallic paint is standard on the T-Spec, which also has 17" ten-spoke alloys, self-levelling xenon headlamps, rain sensor wipers and a colour-screen rear parking camera. The satellite navigation system, with its seen-from-above Birdview setting, now has a traffic avoidance channel added, and altogether the T-Spec is pretty well kitted out for that £20,000-plus price tag, which some people, let's face it, will regard as being on the sweaty-palms side for a Primera.Inside, the latest model has revised trim materials and excellent instrumentation. All the dials are under a cowl on the centre top level of the fascia, and, although it takes a little while to get used to that location, the simple glance down which is all that's needed from the eyes-straight-ahead position is very convenient, and the sophisticated new instrument lighting is absolutely first class.What Nissan calls the N-FORM layout of console-mounted switchgear remains pretty much as before, although the console has some handy added features like a box to house a mobile phone, and some extra stowage spaces. It's possible to philosophise rather too much about the N-FORM idea - and Nissan frequently does - so let's just leave it there, saying only that it's more convenient than some more way-out replacements for the traditional approach.One thing I'd forgotten about the Primera is that it has a far roomier rear cabin than you'd expect from a quick look at the outside. This car is much better packaged than the styling might lead you to believe.Out on the road? Well, I've heard rumours that the suspension modifications on the latest Primera are perhaps a little milder than Nissan likes to suggest, but one thing's for certain - in a particular rural area we use for many of our test sessions, the T-Spec really romped along the winding B-class and minor roads, not just handling better than many of its diesel rivals, but also riding with genuine composure on the bumpier stretches, of which there were plenty.The latest 2.2-litre dCi engine has been uprated to 136bhp, and that has made a noticeable difference. As well as a quicker 0-62mph time and a higher ultimate top speed, the new model has stronger mid-range performance, and with the standard six-speed box it's no problem on cross-country journeys to find a gear where you can stay in the meaty part of the torque curve, which peaks at 231lb/ft at 2000rpm.The styling has tended in the past to leave me rather underwhelmed about the Primera, but the latest T-Spec diesel - well, it's certainly a car to consider. Engine 2184cc, 4 cylinders Power 136bhp Fuel/CO2 46.3mpg / 164g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 10.2 seconds Top speed 126mph Price £20,150 Details correct at publication date
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