Nissan

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Nissan Juke, 2012: Looks funny, drives fast, best buy small SUV crossover (video)

Introduced to the North American market at the 2010 New York Auto Show, the Nissan Juke is another in the ever-evolving series of unique-looking crossover vehicles with equally ever-evolving names. With the 2012 edition, the Juke remains the same as its 2011 debut edition — a turbocharged 1.6-liter, 188-horsepower 4-cylinder with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Nissan calls the Juke "The Bold Urban Sport Cross." The Weekly Driver Test Drive Like some of its rivals, including the Kia Soul and Scion xB, the Nissan Juke gets immediate attention. One national reviewer said its distinctive exterior is reminiscent of a "horned lizard." Another critic said it was stil in its "larval stage." The Juke's fans call it sporty. During my test

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Nissan Quest, 2012: Luxurious minivan an ideal family mover

Purchasing a minivan may not inspire a lot of enthusiasm — until you're a parent. But then the beauty of the minivan concept — the heft, girth, length and uninspired steering, acceleration and cornering — no longer add up to a yawn. Minivans' interior space is handy for families. Factor in the convenience of the power doors and lift gate when your hands are full of groceries and your children are full of energy and things change. It's why I was excited to test drive the 2012 Nissan Quest. Driving Impressions Zero to 60 mph? The Quest’s 3.5 liter V6 pumps out 240 lb.-ft. of torque and 260 horespower making it among the most powerful minivans. There were no issues

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2013 Nissan GTR vs. 2012 Audi R8 vs. 2012 Jaguar XKR-S

By David Colman It isn’t often one has the opportunity to sample three of the fastest sports cars in the world back-to-back on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. But such an opportunity occurred during the recent Western Automotive Journalists’ 20th annual Media Day at Laguna Seca Raceway. The urge to compare the Nissan’s GT-R to Audi’s R8 and Jaguar’s XKR-S proved irresistible. 2013 NISSAN GT-R Even though this supercar has been on the market for a while and is in its second detail revision, I never had a chance to drive it. “That’s why we brought them out” said Nissan PR chief Tim Gallagher, “Because we know many of you haven’t been in one yet.” Gallagher requisitioned two GT-R Black Edition

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Nissan Rogue, 2012: Confidence, efficiency, keen styling for small cross-over SUV

By Mary Ellen Ash The 2012 Nissan Rogue is a new candidate in the ever popular small cross-over utility vehicle class, and the automaker hopes to attract buyers with a strong mix of attractive exterior styling, interior refinements and nimble road handling. Even though this is the kid-sister of the Nissan SUV family, the Rogue leaves a lasting impression. Build and Styling The new Rogue is an excellent blend of space and functionality with its utility styling and versatility for passengers and cargo, and it incorporates the sharper handling dynamic found in similar sized sedans. Confident and calm looking, the Rogue has its own style without flamboyance. The Rogue is a great choice for weekend warriors looking for a small

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Nissan Maxima, 2012: Flagship sedan has sports car tendencies

Now more than 35 years since it origins as the Datsun 810, the Nissan Maxim is in its seventh generation as a full-sized sedan also marketed as a four-door sports cars. The Maxima name began in 1981 when the car was primarily built in Oppama, Japan. It manufacture transitioned to Smyrna, Tennessee, in 2004 and that's where it's currently built. The Maxima remains the flagship sedan of Nissan, with the 2012 edition receiving only minor changes from last year. The exterior adjustments include tweaks to the front grille and new 18-and-19-inch alloy wheel designs. The minor interior changes include newly designed knobs and dials and new color patterns for the cabin trim and gauges. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Like

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Nissan Versa, 2012: Budget concious buyers don't have to settle for less

The redesigned 2012 Nissan Versa sedan is small on the outside, big on the inside. Basically, the new Versa sedan is a no-frills, all-business mode of transportation priced between $10,990 for the S model and $15,560 for the SL model. Utilizing a "clean sheet" ground-up design, Nissan approached the Versa redesign with maximizing usable volume space and increasing fuel efficiency. The goal was to create a totally new global platform and drivetrain, reducing the size of engine and transmission, reducing the number of component parts and reducing platform weight. I drove the middle-child of the model range which was the 1.6 SV model configured with a CVT and the optional Convenience Package. After adding floor mats and destination charges, MSRP

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Nissan Xterra, 2012: Rugged, comfortable, keep off-road

Named after the off-road triathlon race series that began in 1996 as the Aquaterra, the Nissan Xterra was introduced in 2000 as a compact sport utility. Nissan ended its sponsorship of the multi-sport event in 2006, but the vehicle bearing the same name remains. It's now in its fourth generation, the 2012 edition is largely unchanged from the previous year's model. The Xterra was Nissan's entry-level SUV until the arrival of the 2008 Nissan Rogue. In the model lineup, the Xterra is priced between the Rogue and the Murano. The Weekly Driver Test Drive For my week's test, I drove the PRO-4X edition, the most off-road geared of three Xtrerra trims. It feature all-terrain tires, skid plates, locking rear differential,

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Nissan Murano, 2012: Flagship SUV offers smooth drive as segment leader

By Mary Ellen Ash In the highly competitive crossover SUV segment, Nissan offers buyers its flagship, the five-passenger Murano. First presented almost a decade ago, the Murano has stood apart from its competitors for years and is still an industry leader. Its appeal goes deeper than ts distinctive styling — the drive quality is also a step above the rest. The combination of Nissan’s strong 260 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine, smooth shifting CVT, well-tuned suspension, and a plethora of features adds up to a crossover that rides like an oversized Maxima. New for this year, the 2012 Nissan Murano is available in five trim levels each with varied specifications to attract potential buyers. Build & Styling It’s always nice to

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FOX News picks BMW, Nissan, Ford among favorite 2011 cars

Like many other print and electronic publications, the online edition of Fox News has announced its selection for "Five Favorite Cars of 2011." The selections couldn't be more surprising and diverse — BMW to Fiat, Ford to Nissan. Dodge is in the mix, too. Fox chose its cars via one consideration: "Memorability." Gary Gastelu, the FOX News reviewe, has nice things to say about the Lamborghini Aventador (who doesn't?) and he defines the Toyota Prius V as "possibly the most practical yet created." But neither of the two cars made the "favorite" list. The choice that makes the most sense but simultaneously is illogical is the BMW 1 Series Coupe. The choice doesn't make sense because no one can now

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Chevy, Ford, Buick, BMW among automakers with cars driving into the sunset

So long, Ford Ranger, Buick Lucerne, Dodge Dakota and Mazda Rx-8. Farewell, BMW Active Hybrid 6, Cadillac DTS and Chevrolet HHR. Nice to know you, Mitsubishi Eclipse, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Volvo S40 and V50. Take care Ford Crown Victoria, Mazda Tribute, Cadillac STS, Honda Element, Lotus Elise and California-based electric car start-up, Aptera. As for Saab and Maybach, both are joining the manufacturers' graveyard. In automotive year when perennial best sellers like the Ford F150, Toyota Camry and Honda Civic maintained their dominance, the ever-evolving auto industry experienced its share of change in 2011 — and losses of friends. More manufacturers began to offer hybrid and electric vehicles. Even iconic brands like Rolls Royce and Ferarri announced plans to

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Sears goes Green with electric charging system for Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

For more than a century, Sears has built its brand recognition on its appliances and tools. Now the iconic retailer is entering the green car business in a joint arrangement with Evatran to offer consumers reliable installation of Plugless Power electric vehicle charging systems. Plugless power systems recharge electric vehicles (EVs) as quickly as traditional corded options and require the same electrical installation inside a customer's home. Product offerings will initially focus on Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf models but will quickly expand to include additional electric vehicles. Installation will be offered with the sale of each Plugless Power system and priced based on the customer's home and current electrical service. Sears will also offer commercial installation for electric vehicle

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV top mpg on EPA 2012 list, Nissan Leaf 2nd

As expected, the much-touted 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV has the highest gas mileage of any vehicle available in the United States, according the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The new Mitsubishi gets a combined 112 mpg, with the combined mileage weighted via 55 percent city and 45 percent highway mileage calculation. The Mitsubishi attained a 126 mpg average in city driving and 99 mpg on the highway.

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World Series, 2011: Audi, BMW, GM, Nissan will have TV ads

Audi, Nissan, BMW and Chevrolet will help comprise a large presence for the car industry during the World Series on Fox when the 107th edition of the Fall Classic between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers begins Oct. 18 in St. Louis. According to a report on the website www.broadcastingcable.com, World Series commercial spots sold out for about $500,000 per per spot, up from last year about $50,000 per spot. "Led by several categories, especially cars, MLB postseason has been solid for us. We're pacing well ahead of last year," Neil Mulcahy, executive VP for sports sales at Fox, told the website. Fox Sports said its top categories during the World Series will include cars, financials/insurance, movies, pharmaceutics, packaged

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Nissan Versa 2012 keeps cheapest car in the U.S. status

The 2012 Nissan Versa, equipped with a standard transmission, air conditioning, electronic stability control and AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo, is the cheapest car in the United States for the second straight year and is priced at $10,990. The 2012 model year marks the first time a new car is available in the United States for less than $10,000. For 2011, the base models of the Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent, both categorized as subcompacts, were both priced at less than $10,000. The increase of $1,000 for the base Nissan Versa in 2012 reflects two items: air conditioning wasn’t standard in the 2011 model. Additionally, government regulations now require that new cars are equipped with electronic stability control. The 2012 Nissan Versa is

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Nissan Murano, 2011: No beauty queen, but makeover works

Those who want a sporty crossover vehicle with SUV utility should check out the 2011 Nissan Murano. The second-generation Murano — one of the original “crossover” vehicles — benefits from improved styling and a solid reputation for comfort, performance and utility. The technically advanced Murano was introduced seven years ago and was overhauled for 2009. While no beauty queen despite a sculptured exterior, the latest Murano looks better, thanks to a revised grille and front bumper and freshened taillights. There are redesigned standard 18-inch aluminum wheels and 20-inch alloy wheels for the top-line LE trim level. All 2011 Muranos also have interior and content additions, and there’s a new mid-range   SV model. Front seats for all Muranos have been designed

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Nissan signs on as cycling title sponsor for 2012

Automobile manufacturers involved in cycling are nothing new. But Nissan will be first and currenly only carmaker title sponsor among the top-level World Tour team in 2012 with the announcement Monday that the Japanese carmaker will be part of the newly named RadioShack-Nissan-Trek Professional Cycling Team. The squad represents the merger of the current Leopard-Trek squad and the Team RadioShack squad. The latter is partially owned by Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner who competed for the squad in 2010 and for one race this season before retiring in January at the Tour Down Under in Australia. The team will hold a license in Luxembourg, with marketing operated out of Austin, Texas, by CSE Pro Cycling LLC. All

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