Nissan PULSAR

9,862 registered in New Zealand · 1982–2018 · 53% from Japan

The Nissan PULSAR is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 9,862 registered across model years 1982 to 2018. It averages 7.1 L/100km in fuel consumption and produces an average of 92 kW. Most are petrol-powered hatchbacks with a 1.8L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the PULSAR.

Select Year

9,862 On NZ Roads
1.8L Engine
7.1 L/100km
92 kW

Fuel Types

Nissan PULSAR fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%, DIESEL 0%.

Fleet Age Profile

How many Nissan PULSAR vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Nissan PULSAR fleet age profile: 2013: 559, 2014: 557, 2015: 617, 2016: 852, 2017: 161.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Nissan PULSAR transmissions: 6-GEAR AUTO 27%, 5-GEAR MANUAL 18%, 4-GEAR AUTO 13%, 5-GEAR AUTO 9%.

Engine Size

Nissan PULSAR engine sizes: 1.8L 25%, 1.8L 21%, 1.6L 15%, 1.5L 14%, 1.5L 7%.

Imported From

Nissan PULSAR imported from: Japan 53%, Thailand 28%, United Kingdom 18%, Not Known 0%, Australia 0%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Nissan PULSAR vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Nissan PULSAR NZ arrival timeline: 2020: 3, 2021: 3, 2022: 4, 2024: 2, 2026: 1.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Nissan PULSAR.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

SILVER 2,272 (23%)
RED 1,638 (17%)
WHITE 1,426 (14%)
BLUE 1,402 (14%)
GREY 1,125 (11%)
BLACK 661 (7%)
GOLD 609 (6%)
GREEN 561 (6%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Nissan PULSAR regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 2,205, CHRISTCHURCH: 806, HAMILTON: 476, DUNEDIN: 348, TAURANGA: 338.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Suzuki logo
Suzuki Swift 102,567
1986–2026 5.6 L/100km
2 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 101,776
1971–2026 5.8 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Aqua 66,645
2010–2024 2.8 L/100km
4 Mazda logo
Mazda Demio 48,885
1996–2022 4.8 L/100km
5 Mazda logo
Mazda Axela 47,583
2003–2021 6.2 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Nissan PULSAR are there in New Zealand?

There are 9,862 Nissan PULSAR vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0.3% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1982 to 2018.

How much does it cost to run a Nissan PULSAR?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Nissan PULSAR averages 7.1 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $56 per week or $2,905 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Nissan PULSAR?

The Nissan PULSAR is primarily classified as a hatchback in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: saloon, station wagon, sports car. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Nissan PULSAR cars imported or NZ-new?

53% of Nissan PULSAR vehicles in New Zealand originated from Japan. A mix of NZ-new and imported vehicles make up the fleet. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.