Most livable truck in its segment; serious off-road prowess; pioneering cargo features; potent V6 engine.

Bad

Poor fuel economy as compared to similarly priced crossovers; unimpressive cabin materials and design.

Introduction

2011 Nissan Xterra is the most rugged and adventure oriented sport utility vehicle, which will surely appeal to those seeking a vehicle with off-road capabilities at competitive price. It may lack the unique features and funky styling of its off-road rivals, but it’s the easiest to live on with those days when you are not mud-splashing or rock-crawling. For 2011, the Off-Road variant of Xterra has been renamed Pro-4X, while SE variant has been dropped. The rack mounted roof off-road lamps are built into roof rack and help guide way on even darkest trails. With all seats up, there is space for five passengers and still abundant room to bring alone all your gear. The Xterra is designed and engineered as essential, tough gear for facilitating and inspiring outdoor aficionados’ activities wherever they go. It is considered to be one of the best designed and thought-out vehicles in its class.

The Nissan Xterra is a small sport utility vehicle produced and introduced by Japanese automaker Nissan on F-Alpha platform. The Frontier based vehicle is named after XTERRA off-road triathlon race series, which the company sponsored through the end of 2006. It was launched in the new millennium in North America and sold with slogan everything you need, nothing you don’t. It is not the first compact sport utility vehicle of the company. Nissan in Japan originally had Mistral in Europe and Terrano, two-door sport utility vehicle marketed from 1996 to 2006. The Xterra was the entry-level sport utility vehicle in United States till the introduction of 2009 Nissan Rogue. It was redesigned in the year 2005 on F-Alpha platform shared by Frontier and Titan. Providing rear differential locker on off-road model, the all new Xterra is bigger in all dimensions as compared to previous model. Using the company’s variable valve timing equipped with VQ40DE 4.0 liter engine, it generates 265 horsepower.

With plenty of roof space, elevated ride height and all-wheel drive system to strap down the elk, the 2011 Nissan Xterra was designed especially with great outdoors in mind. There are very few conventional sport utility vehicles in the market, but fortunately, the remaining models cater to those with conventional taste for outdoors. To go along with tough-guy appearance of Xterra, you get sturdy body on frame structure, taller ground clearance, offered all-wheel drive system and massive V6 engine with low range gearing. The Pro-4X variant strengthens its off-highway credentials with roof-mounted lights, driver selectable locking rear differential, skid plates and hill descent control.

In other words, the 2011 Nissan Xterra is a serious truck, which can take you to places when concrete and asphalt ends. It is undoubtedly more sensible when you are stuck in an urban jungle. The Xterra is more civilized and powerful as compared to Jeep Wrangler. However, the Wrangler is more capable off-road and retro inspired FJ Cruiser is more stylish. There are quite a lot of other models in the market, which provide interior that aren’t exactly cosseting, thirsty fuel consumption and trucklike ride – Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-7.

Trim Levels, Body Styles and Options

The 2011 Nissan Xterra is a four-door sport utility vehicle that offers comfortable seating for five passengers and is available in Pro-4X, X and S trim levels with four-wheel or rear-wheel drive configurations. The X comes equipped with standard features, which include privacy glass, 16 inch steel wheels, power mirrors and locks, keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control, six-speaker CD stereo system and tilt-only steering wheel. The Xterra S gets off-road tires, 16 inch alloy wheels, first aid kit, cargo organization system and height adjustable driver seat with lumbar control. The 4X4 S adds gear basket and roof rack with crossbars.

The top of the line Pro-4X trim level of 2011 Nissan Xterra comes with hill start assist, electronic locking rear differential, skid plates, hill descent control, upgraded off-road tires, different 16 inch alloy wheels, off-road roof mounted lights, foglights, fold flat passenger seat, distinctive cloth upholstery, white face gauges, leather wrapped steering column, Bluetooth, Rockford Fosgate nine-speaker premium surround sound audio system with auxiliary audio jack, six-CD changer, steering column audio controls and satellite radio and rearview auto dimming mirror with built-in compass. The Leather package of Pro-4X is equipped with passenger seat back pocket and leather upholstery, but deletes flat-folding capability of passenger seats.

Engines and their Performance

Motivation for the 2011 Nissan Xterra comes from a burly 4.0 liter V6 engine, which is good for cranking out 281 pound feet of torque and 261 horsepower. The S 4×2 and X trim levels are offered only with five-speed automatic transmission, while Pro-4X and S 4×4 have choice between six-speed manual and automatic transmission. The rear wheel drive system is standard on all except Pro-4X, while all-wheel drive system gets multimode transfer case with low range gearing.

In acceleration testing, the 2011 Nissan Xterra with automatic transmission went from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 8 seconds and offered the fuel economy of 21 mpg highway, 15 mpg city and 17 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Features

Standard safety features on 2011 Nissan Xterra include antilock disc brakes, side curtain airbags, stability control and front seat side airbags. The Pro-4X trim level adds hill start assist and hill descent control. In brake testing, the Xterra came to a stop in 131 feet from 60 miles per hour, which is on an average as compared to other sport utility vehicles in its class. In government testing, it got five-star rating in side crash protection and front collision, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave Xterra the highest rating for frontal offset, side impact and roof strength protection.

Special Features and Interior Design

The interior controls of 2011 Nissan Xterra are easy to use and reach. The offered Utili-track channel system takes pioneering, simple approach to stowing your gear. Keep up connections and pump up your experience with available features such as booming surround sound system and Bluetooth handsfree phone system. The hard pumping sound of Rockford Fosgate surround sound stereo system features in-dash six-CD changer with nine speakers including enclosed subwoofer. The cargo area provides 35 cubic feet of space with rear seats up and 66 cubic feet with backseats folded flat.

Driving Impressions

With the powerful V6 engine of 2011 Nissan Xterra, performance is sure to satisfy. Its Continuously Variable Valve Timing offers on-demand power and heightened efficiency. Stopped on incline, the Hill Start Assist helps prevent rolling backward, while the Clutch Cancel/Start enables Pro-4X models with manual transmission to start the vehicle from stop without using clutch. Shift on the fly all wheel drive system activates twist of dial. This highway capable system gets two-speed transfer case, so you can go from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive at speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Considering its versatility, the compromises of ride quality and handling in the city are minor.

Relatively affordable price; excellent braking and handling; top notch cabin; nifty rev matching manual transmission; compliant highway ride; powerful V6 engine.

Bad

Large rear blind spots; plenty of road noise; V6 sounds coarse at high rpm.

Introduction

2011 Nissan 370Z falls in line with Z cars of the past. It is designed with value, performance and style in mind; it is a pure two-seater sports car in every aspect. Reasonable high performance sportscars don’t get any better as compared to Nissan 370Z. Precise control makes all the difference between wasting precious power and maximizing all 370Z has to offer. A nearly 50/50 dynamic weight balance achieved at precise moment the driver accelerates out of corner helps establish 370Z high precise handling and distinctive feel. For harnessing all 332 horsepower, the engineers of Nissan enhanced material and design composites for key rotating components. The offered 19 inch RAYS forged alloy super lightweight wheels are practically 20 percent lighter as compared to previous generation models. Navigate through cramped areas easier with the offered touchscreen voice activated Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System. Its sophisticated XM NavTraffic gets displays color coded, real time traffic advisories to help you steer clear of the gridlock.

The Nissan 370Z is fundamentally a sportscar manufactured and revealed by Nissan Motors. It was announced in the month of October 2008 and was unveiled in Los Angeles at 2008 Greater Los Angeles Motor Show, before being authoritatively revealed at Show itself. It is the 6th generation of Nissan Z-Car line succeeding 350Z. Almost every component and piece of 370Z has been redesigned from its predecessor 350Z. It is propelled by a VQ37VHR 3.7 liter double overhead camshaft V6 engine with Variable Valve and Lift Control and generates 332 horsepower. The engine is paired with seven-speed automatic transmission with rear wheel drive system designed to send power to rear wheels. The 370Z Yellow is a limited edition of 370Z GT Pack coupe of British market inspired by European GT4 race car, which includes Ultimate Yellow body, Bose 8-speaker premium surround sound stereo system with six-CD auto-changer, 19 inch RAYS forged alloy wheels, special mats, black suede and leather upholstery, illuminated entry plates and integrated satellite navigation system.

The 2011 Nissan 370Z adds two seats, curves for days, lightweight coupe body, over 300 horsepower, large tires and wheels and rear wheel drive. The Z is also available in roadster form. Purists might dismiss it, but the open Z is motivated by similar brawny 3.7 liter V6 engine with seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission like Coupe. Weight increase of 200 additional pounds and similar suspension tuning help roadster retain most of quick acceleration and reflexes of coupe. The Coupe is remarkably noisy, specifically when equipped with optional, bigger tires and wheels. The performance oriented vehicle like Z deserves invigorating note and some isolation from road noise would make long cruiseway trips less exhausting.

There quite a lot of other models in the market such as trio of American muscle/pony cars, more refined BMW 1 Series, capable Hyundai Genesis Coupe and considerably more polished Infiniti G37, but the all new 2011 Nissan 370Z advances and honors the Z philosophy of outstanding performance at affordable price. If your dreams center on high performance reasonable sportscars, the 370Z is the best way to realize them.

Variants, Body Styles and Optional Features

The 2011 Nissan 370Z is available in two different body styles, which includes convertible soft-top roadster and two-seater coupe. The roadster is available in Touring and base only, while the Coupe comes in base, Nismo and Touring trim levels. The base model comes equipped with standard features such as automatic xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, heated side mirrors, automatically controlled climate system, keyless ignition/entry, eight-way manual driver seat, leather wrapped tilt steering wheel, and four-speaker audio system with auxiliary audio jack and CD player.

Stepping up to Touring variant of 2011 Nissan 370Z gets power seat adjustments, faux suede and leather upholstery, auto dimming rearview mirror, heated seats, Bluetooth, upgraded Bose surround sound stereo system with two subwoofers, six speakers, satellite radio and in-dash six-CD/MP3 changer and cargo cover. The track-ready 370Z Nismo is equipped with high performance tires, forged aluminium 19-inch wheels, stiffer suspension tuning, limited slip rear differential, upgraded brakes, more powerful V6, larger rear wing, special Nismo interior trim details and unique rear and front fascias.

The 2011 Nissan 370Z Roadster features power-operated soft top, but is otherwise equipped similarly to coupe. The Touring model gets ventilated and heated seats with power adjustments. Those who need more performance without committing to Nismo edition can opt for Sport package, offered on both 370Z models that includes limited slip rear differential, 19-inch wheels, rear and front spoilers, upgraded brakes and SynchroRev Match feature for manually equipped cars. Optional on Touring is Navigation package, which consists of voice recognition, hard drive based touchscreen navigation system with real-time weather and traffic updates, digital music storage, iPod interface, rearview camera and Bluetooth audio streaming.

Engines and their Performance

Motivation for the Touring and base trim levels of 2011 Nissan 370Z comes from a 3.7 liter V6 engine, which is good for pulsating 270 pound feet of torque and 332 horsepower. The engine is teamed up with six-speed manual transmission. Equipped with Sport package, the manual 370Z comes with SynchroRev Match technology that automatically matches engine rpm to wheel while downshifts for making clutch engagements silky smooth. The seven-speed automatic transmission is optional and comes with rev-matched downshifts with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

The 2011 Nissan 370Z Nismo is powered by tuned version of V6 engine, which is good for churning out 276 pound feet of torque and 350 horsepower. This engine is mated with six-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match. In performance testing, it accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 5.1 seconds and offered the fuel economy of 26 mpg highway, 18 mpg city and 21 mpg in combined driving. The fuel economy for Roadster is 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 21 mpg in combined driving.

Safety Features

The 2011 Nissan 370Z comes with standard safety features, which includes antilock brake assist with brake assist technology, active head restraints, stability and traction control, side curtain airbags and side impact front seat airbags. In brake testing, the 370Z came to a stop in 101 feet from 60 miles per hour, which is extremely short.

Special Features and Interior Design

Solid construction and high quality materials are prominent through the 2011 Nissan 370Z’s interior. The Touring models feel even more upscale with upgraded faux suede door inserts and leather upholstery. It employs three-layer design philosophy to make you feel fully connected the instant you sit down. From Information layer, you see everything at a glance: gauges, which adjust with steering column, windshield pillar has been minimized for improving outward vision and oval steering wheel with large gauges for enhanced viewing.

Plug your iPod into offered USB port and control its functions through stereo system or touchscreen display and get songs readout on digital screen. The Bluetooth handsfree phone system features voice recognition, which allows you to receive and make calls through audio system. You can also use Bluetooth for streaming songs from your handset’s music player through stereo speakers. Navigate through cramped areas easier with touchscreen voice activated Nissan hard drive navigation system.

The total cargo capacity in 2011 Nissan 370Z Coupe is 6.9 cubic feet, while in Roadster us 4.2 cubic feet.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Nissan 370Z offers razor sharp control and unrelenting grip on the road and is easy to drive making you feel like better driver that you are. The 4th generation of revolutionary Nissan V6 engine has displacement of 3.7 liter for delivering massive low end power. The Nissan’s first sophisticated Variable Valve Event and Lift continuously tunes valve timing and lift for broader torque curve and faster response, while reducing emissions and optimizing fuel efficiency. Pioneering SynchroRev Match manual transmission feature offered on Sport package monitors six-speed’s clutch pedal operation, vehicle speed and shift lever movement. The seven-speed automatic transmission offers automatic and manual modes – wide spread of gearing for heart pounding acceleration, while still offering quiet cruising and enhanced efficiency at higher speeds. It also produces extraordinary harshness and vibration at high rpm.

Both the midsize Nissan Altima coupe and Nissan Altima sedan are pretty good looking vehicle, but that is just one appealing feature of the car. Go for the 3.5 SR Model powered by a V6 engine and you will get a lively 270 bhp V6 engine and a stronger suspension which makes the Altima look like an incredibly expensive sport sedan. Even, despite all these upgrades, the entry-level 2.5 and the midrange 2.5 S models offers a distinctly engaging driving experience, which you generally expect from such virtually sloping automobiles.

Get inside the 2012 Nissan Altima and you will be treated with a comfy as well as attractive cabin. The interiors could also be fitted with fashionable options such as a hard-drive-based navigation system having music storage, a rearview camera and Bluetooth streaming audio. All these and  a lot of other high-end features are being packed together in different packages of the car, which means customers will have to pay a little extra to get the car loaded with their choice of features. One another negative side of the Altima is its rear seat headroom, which in both sedan and coupe body styles is a tad tight.

Now, keeping all those issues aside, the Nissan Altima is one of the finest choices in the packed out midsize category, despite the fact that a lot of competitors offers new designs. If you want some options for considering then we would suggest you to look for the nicely-smoothed Ford Fusion, the likewise sporty Mazda 6 and the more spacious Honda Accord. Some other spacious choices are also very impressive such as the Hyundai Sonata and the European-prejudiced Volkswagen Passat. Now, while we think that it’s hard to go wrong with any of the aforementioned features, a very few offers the perfect blend of daily practicality and driving pleasure that the 2012 Nissan Altima offers.

What’s New for 2012 Nissan Altima?

The 2012 Nissan Altima gets nothing more than minor adjustments, and for the model year 2012 Nissan has discontinued the Altima Hybrid.

Body Styling and Features:

The 2012 Nissan Altima comes in two body styles of Coupe and Sedan. There are three trim levels available for the Altima namely: 2.5, 3.5 SR and 2.5 S.

The 2.5 base models available with sedan body style only comes with standard equipments including 16 in steel wheels, air-conditioning, keyless entry, complete power accessories, cruise control, a trip computer and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. The 2.5 base don’t get any options, even not the stereo, although the interior for the car is pre-wired with 4 speakers.

The 2.5 S trim is available in both the body styles and the standard equipments for this model includes 17 in alloy wheels (offered on coupe only), a 6-speaker sound system having an auxiliary audio jack and a CD player and keyless entry/ignition.

The options available here includes the likes of a fresh Value package, which comes loaded with Bluetooth, automatic headlights, a leather-covered steering wheel having audio controls and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. There also is a Special Edition package which will get you automatic headlights, alloy wheels, a back spoiler, foglights and a leather-covered steering wheel having audio controls.

There are a lot of optional packages offered as supplies for more luxurious packages, which makes you get what you want a tad tricky. The Convenience package (offered with sedan only) brings equipment from both from the Value package, but at the same time it also gets a power driver seat. The Convenience Plus package (available on sedan only) brings a sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control and mirror-positioned turn-signal repeaters. Go for the Premium Audio Package (offered with sedan only) and you could get a 9 speaker Bose stereo having iPod interface and satellite radio and a rearview camera. The Premium package offered with coupe only will get you all the aforementioned options.

The 2.5 SL package offered with sedan only will get you leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats and rear A/C vents. On the coupe the SL package is called the Leather Package, it doesn’t have rear A/C vents but it gets xenon headlights.

The standard equipment list on the line-topping 3.5 SR model includes the likes of a V6 engine, a sport-tuned up suspension, 17 in and 18 in alloy wheels on Sedan and coupe respectively, the equipments of the 2.5 S Convenience package and heated side mirrors. The 3.5 SR Sport package offered with sedan only, brings foglights, xenon headlights, dual-zone climate control and a sunroof. The 3.5 SR Premium package again is offered on both sedan and coupe package and it combines all the items given in the 2.5 S coupe’s Premium package, Premium Audio package and SL package.

The Technology package could be obtained on all the 2.5 S and 3.5 SR models, and it includes a hard-drive navigation system having weather updates and real-time traffic, Bluetooth streaming audio capability and digital music storage.

Under The Hood:

The 2012 Nissan Altima is a front-wheel-drive car, and the power for the 2012 Nissan Altima comes from one of the two engines. The power for the all the 2.5 models comes from a 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder engine generating 175 bhp of maximum power and 180 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The standard transmission on all the sedan models is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), but it is optional on the coupe, which gets a 6 speed manual transmission as standard transmission here.

The Sporty 3.5 SR gets its power from a 3.5 ltr V6 engine generating maximum power of 270 bhp and 258 lbs-feet of maximum torque. The transmission choices here are the same.

Safety:

The standard safety equipments on all the Nissan Altima are traction and stability control, antilock brakes, side curtain airbags covering both the rows and front seat side-impact airbags.

Verdict:

Finally we would say that the 2012 Nissan Altima is a solid choice for a midsize coupe or sedan, especially if you want something having sporty flair.

Reviewing the 2012 Nissan Versa is like reviewing two completely different cars. Why we said that is because while the Versa sedan is a totally redesigned car for the model year 2012 and is a lot more efficient, sophisticated and roomy, while the styling of the car is less bulging. The Versa hatchback on the other hand soldiers on in its preceding semblance only having some minor standard feature upgrades with which it can grab the attention of the customer. Now, seeing all that the Versa Sedan seems to be a better choice at present, but in case you want additional versatility then the hatchback surely is an alluring choice.

Now, as far as exterior size is concerned, the all new 2012 Nissan Versa sedan is pretty much unchanged. The hood of the Versa conceals a brand new 1.6 ltr engine capable of generating maximum power of 109 bhp. Though, this engine is less powerful than the 1.8 ltr engine which powered the car previously and is still used in the hatchback, but the 1.6 ltr engine powering the sedan also has to move less weight as the Sedan weighs 150 pounds less for this model year. The fuel economy for the car has also been modified, and if you equip the car with the revised CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission) transmission, you could get fuel economy as impressive as 33 mpg from the Versa sedan.

The cabin of the 2012 Nissan Versa continues to offer adequate space for the occupants, thanks to the upright seating position of the car. The rear seat of the Versa is comfortable than many of the high end cars. All these characteristics are also applicable for the hatchback, which was the biggest advantage of a bigger and more practical cargo area. All the same, the Nissan Versa sedan predominantly has been benefited with its new and improved cabin design for model year 2012 in addition to better design.

Now, if you are confused between the two Versa models, then hold on it gets worse. If you look at the subcompact class, you will find a lot little cars, and one of the fine choices as per us is the small Honda Fit, offering pioneering giant cargo area and flat-folding seats. The Ford Fiesta also is a considerable option and felt substantial in handling. Some other considerable and potent options for you are the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent. So, while the 2012 Nissan Versa on its own is a tale of two cars, we would say that there are more than two potent subcompact cars in the market for you.

What’s New for 2012 Nissan Versa?

The 2012 Nissan Versa sedan is a completely redesigned model with some major enhancements in the car in the form of attractive and spacious cabin and fuel economy. Though, the Nissan Versa hatchback is pretty much the same model that we saw last year and only has some minor changes.

Body Styling and Features:

The 2012 Nissan Versa comes in two body styles of hatchback and sedan, but both the car represents different vehicle generations. The Versa Sedan is the only new version here, while the hatchback is the same previous generation model that was firstly introduced in the model year 2007.

The 2012 Nissan Sedan Versa sedan is offered in 3 different trim levels: S, SL and SV. The S trim is rather basic and gets 15 in steel wheels, a height-modifiable driver seat, air-conditioning, and a 2-speaker sound system having an auxiliary audio jack and a CD player and a trip computer. The Versa equipped with automatic transmission will get you the S Cruise Control package which will add a trunk light, cruise control and 2 rear speakers.

Step up to Versa SV sedan and you will get the Cruise Control package, keyless entry, complete power accessories, upgraded gauges and upgraded upholstery. The SV Convenience package will get you an iPod interface and Bluetooth. The Nissan Versa SL sedan will get you 15 in alloy wheels, a 60/40-split-folding back seat, foglights and the almost all the content of the SV Convenience Package. The SL Tech Package would get you a compact touchscreen interface, satellite radio and a navigation system.

The Nissan Versa comes in SL and S trim levels. The base S trim comes loaded with 15 in steel wheels, complete power accessories, air-conditioning, a 4-speaker sound system having a CD player, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat and a supplementary audio jack. The Plus package would get you cruise control and keyless entry. In addition to the automatic transmission the S trim could get you a lot of other options.

Go for the Convenience Package and you could get the Plus package, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an iPod interface and steering wheel audio controls. You can also get 15-inch alloy wheels. Go for the Special Edition Package and you could get all the aforementioned equipments.

The Versa hatchback SL gets all the equipments of the S model and on top of it gives you keyless entry/ignition, upgraded upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, rear and front center armrests, a 6 speaker sound system and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The S and SL Special Edition package could also get you navigation system, satellite radio and a compact touchscreen interface.

Under The Hood:

The power for the 2012 Nissan Versa comes from a 1.6 ltr 4-cylinder engine generating maximum power of 109 bhp and 107 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The standard transmission on the S is a 5 speed manual transmission, while for the SV and SL there is a CVT (continuously variable automatic transmission), the CVT is offered as option on S. the sedan might be powered by comparatively less powerful engine, but the its light weight result in almost same acceleration. The good thing here is that the fuel economy is really impressive, with the EPA-estimated fuel economy 30 mpg in city and 38 mpg on highways, which comes to a combined fuel economy of 33 mpg.

The power for the 2012 Nissan Versa hatchback comes from a 1.8 ltr 4-cylinder engine generating maximum power of 122 bhp and 127 lb-ft of maximum torque. The standard transmission here is a 6-speed manual transmission, which is standard on the S trim, while there is an option of 4 speeds automatic.

Safety:

The safety equipments are same in all the body styles of the 2012 Nissan Versa, and the standard safety equipments for the car includes the likes of antilock brakes (rear drum, front disc), stability and traction control, brake assist, side curtain airbags and front seat side airbags.

Verdict:

Finally we would say that the 2012 Nissan Versa sedan is a brand new version for the model year 2012, but sadly the Versa hatchback is not. There are plenty of differences between the two models, but the good thing here is that they offer simple, inexpensive and transportation.

There haven’t been many dominants in the full-size van segment of international auto market, and just as Coke and Pepsi have dominated the soda segment of the international beverage market, the full-size van segment of the market has been dominated by the Ford E-Series and Chevrolet Express (and its GMC Savana twin). But Nissan is hoping to alter things a bit with its all new 2012 Nissan NV van.

Nissan intends to capitalize on the shortcomings of the two dominants of the segment, and this is because the two dominants of this segment haven’t seen much change in the recent past. Some of the noteworthy problems that those vehicles had include limited legroom, because of the absence of high roof option and snub-nose architecture of the vans, in addition to this the construction of these vehicles also resulted in bonked heads and sore backs (from stooping). The one van that offered the high-roof option was the Mercedes-Benz-developed Sprinter, which had a little European design influence, but at the same time it was immensely expensive and debatably underpowered. But the all new 2011 Nissan NV promises change all that by offering nothing but the best in both the departments.

The 2011 Nissan NV will be offered in three models (1500, 3500 and 2500), 2 roof heights (high-top and standard), 2 powerful engine (V6 and V8). Nissan NV comes with an pickup/SUV-like front end, which gives more spacious footwells to the vehicle and at the same time the high-roof option for the vehicle offers ample headroom even for the occupants more than 6 foot tall. Some other highlights for the vehicle includes a huge center console box, which easily can accommodate a laptop computer and the hanging files, which makes it a perfect option for the small business owners.

In comparison to the Ford E-Series and Chevrolet Express, the NV offers more driver and passenger space, pleasant driving dynamics and more expediency through the available tall roof. Even the pricing for the vehicle is done sensibly to attract as many customers as possible. Considering each and every aspect of the 2012 Nissan NV we would like to say that it is a perfect van choice for the modern commercial and small business operators.

What’s New for 2012 Nissan NV?

The 2012 Nissan NV is a completely new van in the modern commercial market.

Body Styling and Features:

The 2012 Nissan NV is a life-size cargo van, which is offered in three different models: 1500, 2500 and 3500. The NV 1500 comes only with a standard roof, but the 2500 and 3500 could be obtained with standard or high roof choices. All the models offer the same length and wheelbase, but as you go up the range the towing and the payload capacities of the vehicle also increase significantly.

There are two options available for the 2012 Nissan NV: the S and the SV. The standard equipments for the base S trim includes all the bare necessities such as cloth upholstery having vinyl bolsters in high-wear areas, a 2 speaker audio system having an auxiliary jack and a CD player and air-conditioning. The SV on the other hand comes with chrome external accents, upgraded audio (instead of two, it has four speakers), complete power features, back park assist and cruise control.

The options available for the vehicle include back door windows, a rearview camera, a glass breakage sensor and a Technology package, which includes satellite radio, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth and a rearview camera.

Under The Hood:

Depending on the model of 2012 Nissan NV you’ve chosen, the 2012 Nissan NV comes loaded with either a 4.0 ltr V6 engine generating maximum power of 261 hp or a 5.6 ltr V8 engine generating maximum power of 317 hp. The 1500 models gets power by V6 engine only, while the 3500 only has the option of V8 engine, but the 2500 models could be obtained with either of the engine choices. Both the engines of the van are paired with a 5 speed automatic transmission, and the standard drive terrain on all the NVs is a rear-wheel drive. A perfectly equipped NV 3500 comes with a payload capacity of 3,925 lbs and has maximum towing capacity of 9,500 lbs.

Safety:

The standard safety equipments for the 2012 Nissan NV include stability and traction control and antilock brakes. The optional safety equipments for the NV include complete-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags. There also is an option of getting a rearview monitor (which has been mounted in the rearview mirror).

Verdict:

The 2012 Nissan NV offers the best of both worlds with its couple of potent engines, a tall roof options and comparatively enjoyable driving dynamics and striking pricing makes it a superb entry in the commercial van market.

In his statement, the Chairman of Nissan America, Mr. Carlos Tavares said, “The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC will be used as a progressing laboratory for the stimulated growth of aerodynamic systems and EV, and in addition to this, it will also be seen as a platform for the development of all new green motor sports series.”

Nissan also proclaimed that the car will be making a series of “particular demonstration appearances” at undisclosed motor sports sites in 2011 “with Nissan exploring pioneer 0 emission competition specification series in the future years.”

In their preliminary testing, Nissan RC sprinted from 0 to 62 mph in 6.85 secs and recorded a top speed of 93 mph. The car is projected to have a running time of around 20 mins under the typical racing conditions.

The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC doesn’t resemble a lot to its family. The actual race car is around a foot lower than the production vehicle and at the same time has been stripped of its trunk, back seat, navigation system, audio system, carpeting and some other facilities.

The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC comes with complete unique 4 coat Pearl White paint having blue graphics, carbon-fiber monocoque bodywork and 18 in 6 spoke wheels. The car gets its power from an 80kW motor and a li-ion battery generating maximum power of 107 horsepower.

Nissan told that, “The Nismo RC doesn’t have a tailpipe like several other competition vehicles in market, so there won’t be any sort of emissions of CO2 or any other greenhouse gases, when you drive the car, and at the same time there wont be any exhaust sound”.

Great automobiles are made up of great technology mixed with high performance, and where this blend gets right we gets vehicles like the 2012 Nissan GT-R. The new Nissan GT-R is a fine example of high performance automobile loaded with immensely advanced technology. The Nissan GT-R enters the market as an emblem of Nissan’s newest technology, and hence some loaded with some serious hardware set such as a strong twin-turbo V6, a superior all-wheel-drive system, a dual-clutch automated manual transmission and a sport-focused suspension having adaptive dampers. The performance numbers of GT-R comfortably places the car into Supercar segment, but despite that the car maintains a respectable lower price point.

Nissan has advanced the performance envelope for the 2012 Nissan GT-R, and the new GT-R is way more advanced that the previous versions. The maximum power under the hood now is 530 horsepower, which is 45 hp more than previous year and maximum torque this year is 488 lbs-ft, which are 434 more from last year. The increased power and torque could be attributed to the blend of revised turbo boost and the smooth exhaust and intake systems. The brakes for the car which already were immensely impressive have also been enlarged a tad bit by means of added performance potential.

What’s New for 2012 Nissan GT-R?

The 2012 Nissan GT-R comes with extra power and in addition to this there also are some aerodynamic and styling changes in the exteriors of the car. The interiors have also seen some minor revision. Also, a brand new GT-R Black Edition debuts this year.

Body Styling and Features

The 2012 Nissan GT-R is a two seater high-performance sport coupe, which is available only in single Premium trim level.

Like any premium trim, the standard feature set here also includes some of the highly advanced and modern features such as 20-inch alloy wheels having high-performance tires, LED running lights, automatic xenon headlights, an electronically modifiable suspension, Brembo brakes, heated power-adjustable front seats, faux/leather-suede upholstery, keyless entry/ignition, an 11 speaker Bose CD/MP3 audio system having two subwoofers, dual-zone automatic climate control, iPod connectivity, satellite radio and streaming audio and Bluetooth phone. Some other standard features for the car includes a hard-drive-based navigation system having 9.4 gigabytes accessible for audio storage, real-time weather and traffic updates and multifunction driver-configurable information monitor.

The 2012 Nissan GT-R also comes with a brand new GT-R Black Edition, which comes loaded with some more advanced features such as lightweight black wheels, a unique red and black interior and leather Recaro seats.

Some other optional equipment here are a no-cost Cold Weather package, which will get you Dunlop all-season run-flat tires, darker wheels and a unique coolant-to-water ratio facilitating faster engine warm-up, an extra-cost “Super Silver” paint job which has three layers of clear coasting and has been polished by hand and a rearview camera.

Interior Design:

The cabin of 2012 Nissan GT-R is not flashy and luxurious, but it clearly reflects the implementation of performance oriented and advance technological features. The front seats of the cars have high-flying bolsters and the faux-suede upholstery used in the interiors of the car keeps the occupants stable during high-G maneuvers, and at the same time it gives immense comfort during long-distance run. The interiors of the car itself is respectably constructed, and has plethora of soft-touch materials, and most of the controls of the car has a strong, positive feel. Go for the Black Edition and you could get even better appearing interiors.

Under The Hood:

The 2012 Nissan GT-R has a 3.8 ltr twin-turbocharged V6 engine pumping under its hood and generating maximum power of 530 hp and maximum torque of 488 lb-ft of maximum torque. The engine here is mated with a 6 speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission which takes the power to the ground through its advanced AWD system.

Performance:

The previous Nissan GT-R already was one of the finest performers that we’ve seen, but now this new 2012 Nissan GT-R is just stunning. The new GT-R sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in merely 3.1 secs, which was around more than half a second faster than previous model.

Safety Equipments:

The 2012 Nissan GT-R ensures the safety with its stability and traction control and antilock Brembo brakes. In addition to this, the car also has full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags.

Verdict:

The 2012 Nissan GT-R brings world class performance and technology at a reachable price and certifies that it doesn’t have to be stratospheric expensive, if it’s advanced or performance oriented.

Pros:

The 2012 Nissan GT-R delivers astonishing acceleration; is simple to drive; has immensely high handling limits and superb-quality interior; is fast and has an affordable bargain price.

Cons:

The 2012 Nissan GT-R is big and bulky and doesn’t have the conventional manual transmission.

And the answer to that is Next month.

The Geneva auto show has seen a lot of new model and concept launches form different auto makers, and the Japanese automaker, Nissan have also made great use of this podium and has rolled out the Nissan Esflow. The Nissan EsFlow will be a slick concept built car, which will be rivaling the Tesla Roadster. The engineers have designed the EsFlow form the ground group, rather than just going for an electric motor — in fact, two — in a Nissan 370Z and stopping.

Not much of the details were given by Nissan, they just said that the car will be having two motors mounted over and ahead of the rear axle of the car. The car has the conventional lithium-ion battery, placed between the axles for enhancing the improved handling. The size of the battery is still not known, but as per Nissan the battery will be having a range of 149 miles. Considering the fact that the Nissan Leaf has a 24 KW-hr pack, capable of delivering an EPA estimated fuel economy of 73 miles, the EsFlow surely is going to have a huge honkin’ battery.

The driveterain technology of the car was adapted from the hardware of Leaf, but was revamped to enhance the power and performance of the car. According to Nissan, the Esflow will be having superb acceleration as well, and that the car will hit 60 mph in less than 5 sec.

The Nissan EsFlow will be having an aluminum chassis swathed in a composite bodywork.

The 2011 Nissan Xterra is available in three trim levels: X, S and Pro-4X. The Xterra is a 5 passenger vehicle and is available in 4-door SUV body style having rear- and four-wheel drive.

The standard equipments for the X trim of 2011 Nissan Xterra includes privacy glass, 16-inch steel wheels, power mirrors and locks, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cruise control, a six-speaker CD sound system and tilt-only steering wheel.

Go for the S trim and you could get off-road tires, 16-inch alloy wheels, a first aid kit, a height-adjustable driver seat having lumbar control and a cargo organization system. If you are going for the 4 x 4 S then you even can get a roof rack having a gear basket and crossbars.

The Xterra Pro-4X comes loaded with hill-start assist, an electronic locking rear differential, skid plates, hill-descent control, improved off-road tires, different 16-inch alloy wheels, white-face gauges, foglamps, a fold-flat passenger seat, unique cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror having built-in compass, roof-mounted off-road lights and a 9 speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system having a 6 CD changer, Bluetooth, steering-wheel audio controls and auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. The Pro-4X trim only has automatic transmission only. The Pro-4X Leather package comes with a passenger seat back pocket and leather upholstery, but at the same time it omits the passenger seat’s flat-folding capability.

The 2011 Nissan Xterra runs on a 4.0 ltr V6 engine churning maximum power of 261 hp and 281 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The transmission on X and S 4×2 is a 5 speed automatic transmission, while the Pro-4X and S 4×4  could be had with a 6 speed manual transmission. The standard drive terrain on all the trims are rear-wheel except for the Pro-4X, while the 4 wheel-drive system here features a multimode transfer case having low-range gearing.

The safety in 2011 Nissan Xterra is ensured by antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, stability control and side curtain airbags. Some additional safety equipments come in Xterra Pro-4X in the form of hill-start assist and hill-descent control. The safety surely is not a concern here, and you won’t have to worry about the safety during your ride on 2011 Nissan Xterra.

We were impressed with the lively performance, munificent standard features and moderate passenger space of the Cube, during our Nissan Cube review. Apart from this we must say that the Cube is immensely easy to park and comes with unique customization opportunities.

Why Not: -

The negatives that we found during our Nissan Cube review include comparatively less cargo capacity, squelchy handling and comparatively less versatility than its rivals. Some other negatives for the vehicle also include invasive wind noise and disappointing interior materials.

Conclusion: -

The tg review unveiled the whimsical styling and idiosyncratic demeanor of the vehicle which makes it an ideal choice for a small hatchback, but still we think there are better and practical options available in market.

Review:

Our Nissan Cube review featured the most advanced 2010 model of the cube, and we must tell you that for this model year, the Nissan Cube SL and S trims comes with a leather-swathed steering wheel having audio controls. The S trim also comes with an iPod interface and additional speakers. If you go for the Krom edition, you will be getting Keyless entry/ignition, a rearview camera and a color audio display. The latter two equipments mentioned here are optional on SL trim. Lastly, the Ginormous package of last year has been omitted.

The most interesting segment of our Nissan Cube review was reviewing the body styles and equipments on the vehicle, we found that the Cube comes with unique customization capabilities, and whatever have you thought of your car looking like, it can be made possible with this Cube. The 2010 Nissan Cube is offered in three trim levels and is a 4 door hatchback. The 4 trims for the car includes: base, S, SL and Krom Edition. The standard equipments on the base trim includes fifteen inch steel wheels, complete power accessories, back privacy glass, air-conditioning, keyless entry, a sliding and reclining 60/40-split back bench, a height-adjustable driver seat and a 2 speaker stereo system having an auxiliary audio jack and a CD player.

The equipments for the Cube S include improved cloth upholstery, cruise control, Bluetooth, a leather-swathed steering wheel and a 6 speaker stereo system having steering wheel controls and an iPod interface. The Cube SL comes with a 16 inch alloy wheels, foglights, automatic headlights and automatic climate control. The SL Preferred package comes with keyless entry/ignition, a rearview camera and a Rockford Fosgate 6 speaker stereo having subwoofer, satellite radio, a color audio display and a USB audio port.

The Krom edition on the other hand comes with a wide range of exterior styling enhancements like dissimilar 16-inch alloy wheels, grille, rear and front bumpers, back roof spoiler and side sills. The Krom trim also gets aluminum-trimmed pedals, titanium-color interior trim, gray/black cloth upholstery and 20-color ambient lighting.

Now, the most important segment of our Nissan Cube review, the power testing, and here we found that the front wheel drive Nissan Cube gets its power from a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder engine which generates maximum power of 122 hp and 127 lb-ft of maximum torque. The base Cube trim and Cube S trims have six speed manual transmissions as their standard transmission, and a CVT is optional on S trim, and is standard on the Krom and SL. The manual transmission equipped trims delivers combined fuel economy of 26 mpg, while the CVT improves the fuel economy to 29 mpg.