2013 Nissan NV3500 details

2013 Nissan NV3500

Nissan has released the new model pricing for its full-size NV vans, equipped with either a V-6 or V-8 gas engine. The functional and boxy some say quirky-looking rear-wheel-drive van comes in cargo and passenger configurations with half, three-quarter and one-ton chassis levels. Cargo vans come in either S or SV trims, and the passenger van, which is only available in 3500 HD, is offered in S, SV and SL trims.

The Nissan NV's exterior profile comes in two different forms depending on which roof you choose: standard or high. With the standard roof, which is the only option on passenger models, the NV looks like one massive rectangle on wheels. The high-roof option is available on NV2500 HD and NV3500 cargo versions and extends the NV's slab higher, albeit with a sharply angled front that extends from the windshield. With the high roof option, a 6-foot-tall person can stand upright in the cargo hold. Windows can be added to the sides and rear of the NV to open up the space and increase visibility. A sliding door on the passenger side allows entry to the NV's rear, while the back doors have a 243-degree maximum opening range for easier loading.

The front seats and most of the switchgear are borrowed from the Titan, complete with adjustable head rests and driver’s lumbar support. Instead of a full-vinyl seat on the S and SV (like Ford and GM) Nissan uses a tough, car-like fabric for the seat and vinyl side bolsters for improved durability. The rear seats are far more comfortable than the competition but not overly comfortable in general thanks to moderately firm padding and an upright seating position.

The 5.6-liter V8 makes 317 horsepower and 385 foot-pounds of torque at 3400 rpm. The 5-speed automatic transmission shifts sharply and in all the right places. Its 3.54 final drive ratio balances good torque on freeway hills with good fuel mileage (the V6 has a 3.36 ratio).

Even though the 2013 Nissan NV Passenger is a full-size van, it doesn't necessarily feel like it. Visibility is good out the front and is enhanced by large side mirrors. The ride quality is decent whether it's unloaded or full, and the noise levels are surprisingly low at freeway speeds, at least by large-metal-box-on-wheels standards.

The NV’s dashboard is formed from hard plastic, just like GM and Ford’s passenger vans. Hard plastics in general put up to hard abuse better than trendy minivan squishy bits. The NV’s interior showed no early wear despite our tester’s gig as a Nissan shuttle for drunk journalists for most of its 6,500 mile life. Although Nissan felt the need to dress parts of the dash in matte black ala GM/Ford, the color choices seem more modern than the competition.

The 2013 Nissan NV Cargo Van is equipped with dual front air bags, 4-wheel ventilated disc anti-lock brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control system, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. Additionally, the NV 3500HD Passenger Van is equipped with 8 standard air bags, including side-impact air bags for the front-seat occupants and side curtain air bags for all outboard passengers. Optional safety features include a reversing camera, and front and rear park-assist sensors.

The Nissan NV Passenger NV3500 HD SL starts at $31,990, normal pricing for a 2013 passenger van, which costs $31,990 on average.

2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid details

Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid

The 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid is nearly 20 percent more fuel efficient than it's gas sibling, but to find out how it performs Nissan invited me to drive a production-intent prototype on a short loop through the streets of downtown Nashville, Tenn.

The newly updated exterior of the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder is quite handsome. The more bulbous exterior look carried over from the Murano suits the Pathfinder and gives it a much softer look without dumbing it down.

According to Nissan, with the exception of what’s under the hood and the lower tow rating, the Pathfinder hybrid is pretty much the same as the gas-powered Pathfinder. The hybrid gets LED taillights, a few Puredrive hybrid exterior badges, and special hybrid-information screens in the gauge cluster. Nissan even figured out a way to mount the lithium-ion battery pack beneath the third-row seat in such a way that the chairs can still fold flat, and cargo capacity is unaffected. The hybrid gear is available as a powertrain option on three of the standard Pathfinder’s four trim levels SV, SL, and Platinum and buyers have the choice of front- or all-wheel drive.

The Pathfinder really looks best from the front, where its sharp headlamp angles and the prominent new grille are large enough to check your hair like a bathroom mirror. The 2014 Rogue’s LED running lights are also absent on the Pathfinder, despite this truck being new just this year.

The bench seat in the second row slides back and forth, giving more legroom if the third row is empty. It also has a complex sliding-and-folding mechanism for access to the back row that lets parents leave their child seats locked in place even while the seat partially collapses--truly a parent-friendly feature. That third row has short, flat, van-like cushions that sit surprisingly low. That's good for headroom for growing teens, but it's still marginal for an adult. That nonetheless actually makes it roomier than most third rows.

Nissan's new setup utilizes a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder for gasoline-powered motivation. A CVT handles "shifting" duties, and a 15-kw electric motor sits between the engine and transmission with a pair of clutches to disconnect it from the system and conserve energy as situations allow. Nissan says the goal of the powertrain is to produce V6-like output without a commensurate appetite for fossil fuel.

EPA fuel economy numbers have not been released, but Nissan claims the front-drive Hybrid will achieve 25/27/26. With this powertrain, towing capacity drops to 3,500 pounds.

The Pathfinder Hybrid’s class-exclusive, next-generation Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), eliminates gears by using a precisely machined metal drive chain instead of traditional fixed metal gears, which transpires power from the engine to the wheels far more effectively and smoothly.

The Pathfinder comes with fewer standard features than many SUVs in the class. A six-speaker stereo and tri-zone automatic climate control are standard on all trims. Options include Nissan's Around View Monitor camera system, which uses four cameras to give a birds-eye view around the vehicle, Bluetooth, navigation, a panoramic sunroof and a 13-speaker Bose sound system.

The Pathfinder comes with 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and six airbags, including side airbags for front passengers and full-length side-curtain airbags. Electronic traction and stability control are also standard, as is Hill Start Assist.

Pricing for the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid starts at $35,970; that'll get you a hybrid front-wheel drive Pathfinder SV. You can climb all the way up the price chart to $45,210 for the all-wheel-drive Pathfinder Platinum Hybrid.

2014 Nissan Quest details

2014 Nissan Quest

The 2014 Quest is no different. With a boxy rear end, a smirking front grille, and Nissan's fun-to-drive attitude, the Quest is a tough package to beat.

Aside from the Honda Odyssey, no minivan on the market is as expressively stylized as the Nissan Quest. Although not as long or wide as the segment leaders, the Quest is taller than most of its rivals, by as much as three inches, which helps create a more open and roomy cabin. Its expansive surround of tinted privacy glass gives all inside a clear view out while keeping prying eyes (and cabin-heating sun rays) at bay. Standard equipment on S and SV trims includes 16-inch wheels, but 18-inchers are fitted to the higher-line SL and LE trims.

The Quest cabin is set up with roomy second row. The third row is smaller than most but more than adequate for small children. The forward four seats are genuinely adult-roomy. There is no eight-passenger, middle-row bench seat version. 

The most striking aspect of the Quest design is the full surround glass (standard privacy glass on SV SL and LE models), black sash molding and chrome trim accents, which combine with the wide, low stance and muscular front end to give Quest the most dynamic and distinctive appearance in class. The Quest exterior design is also one of the most wind-efficient, with a 0.32 Cd for the Quest S model.

Power is provided by Nissan's tried and true 3.5-liter V6, which generates 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Shifting duties are handled by Nissan's Xtronic CVT gearbox, and fuel economy is rated at 18 city and 24 highway miles per gallon.

A 3.5-liter V6 engine making 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque powers the Nissan Quest. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) takes the place of a conventional automatic transmission on the Quest and sends power to the front wheels. In Edmunds testing, the Quest accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, comparable to the Honda Odyssey but slower than the Toyota Sienna. Fuel economy is also on par, with an EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined (19 city/25 highway).

Standard features on the Nissan Quest include push-button start and a stereo with an auxiliary input. Optional features include a USB port, Bluetooth, power sliding doors, a power liftgate, a rear-seat entertainment system, navigation, a blind spot warning system and Nissan's Around View Monitor, which uses multiple cameras to provide a 360-degree view around the Quest.

Standard safety features for all 2014 Nissan Quest models include antilock disc brakes, dual front side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Nissan has announced U.S. pricing for the 2014 Nissan Quest, which is on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide. Pricing remains unchanged from 2013, with a starting M.S.R.P. of $25,990 USD.

2014 Nissan Rogue

2014 Nissan Rogue

The 2014 Nissan Rogue made its U.S debut at the Nissan Technical center in Farmington, Mich. on Tuesday, in tandem with the 2014 Nissan X-Trail.

The Rogue embraces a new styling theme, one that dresses up its familiar proportions with more interesting surfaces.The grille's more tidy, the headlamps are more interesting, and the side sculpting gives it a more meaty stance. Inside, the new Rogue has a more handsomely finished interior, better organized, and finished with higher-quality materials.
The Rogue's styling is very much in line with the latest Nissan design language found on new models of the last few years, complete with swoopy side accents, a rising window line, and LED running lights.

The interior of the 2014 Rogue is typically Nissan, with attractively illuminated instrumentation, quality materials, lots of soft-touch surfaces, and a tempting list of infotainment and connectivity features. The front seats heated and leather-clad in SL models are supportive and comfortable. Front-seat legroom and headroom are good for tall drivers, and rear-seat legroom has expanded. Nissan refers to the 3rd-row perch as "occasional seating," and it's very tight. On the other hand, wider rear door openings improve access to the Rogue's nether regions. Storage space is ample and includes a slick new cargo system option in 5-passenger models.

All Rogue models are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder motor that produces 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. With the help of an efficient continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Rogue is capable of returning an impressive 26 mpg in the city, 33 highway and 28 mpg combined, second only the Mazda CX-5 among compact crossovers.

The 2014 Nissan Rogue is motivated by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 170 hp and 175 pound-feet of torque. A CVT is standard, as is front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. Nissan says the updated CVT makes the new Rogue "a tick quicker" than the previous model.

The Rogue comes standard with a four-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, hands-free text messaging, an auxiliary audio jack and a USB port. Optional features include navigation, push-button start, a nine-speaker Bose stereo system, dual-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic moonroof. Nissan’s Around View monitor is also available, and is one of test drivers' favorite optional features. The monitor combines images from four cameras to give drivers a comprehensive view around the vehicle, and auto writers say it provides a great view around the Rogue when parking.

The Rogue comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, dual-front side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems.Safety options include Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning systems.
The new 2014 Rogue will arrive at dealers this November, with a starting price just above $23,000.

2014 Nissan Sentra details

2014 Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra is one of the most innovative sedans out there as it not only provides ample space for both your passengers and your cargo. There aren’t many sedans on the market that have the ability to transport an eight-foot ladder safely that is but the 2014 Nissan Sentra does it with ease. Sure the rear seatback folds down, but that’s boring. Just about every sedan has that feature. In the Sentra, the front passenger seat completely folds down as well.

Softly sculpted sheetmetal, substantial proportions and shiny-object LED headlight accents and taillights all combine to give the 2014 Nissan Sentra class-above parking-lot presence. All models feature a chrome-finish grille, chrome-finish door handles and body-color painted side mirrors, while up-level versions feature alloy wheels, fog lights and side-mirror-integrated turn signals. The sportier-looking but similarly tuned Sentra SR includes a rear spoiler, chrome exhaust-tip finisher, unique 17-inch alloy wheels and other sporty add-ons all around.

Under the hood, the 2014 Sentra carries on with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine good for 130 horsepower. It provides modest acceleration, but clearly the goal here is to compete with rivals that promise 40-mpg capability on the highway. Indeed, the Sentra FE model earns this same impressive rating, and even looking at the more realistic and useful EPA combined figure, the Sentra is at the top of the small sedan class when it comes to saving you money at the pump.

When paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) standard on all but the base model the Sentra is capable of impressive mileage 30 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. Economy focused FE models add aerodynamic underbody panels, low rolling-resistance tires and a rear spoiler to increase highway efficiency to the magic 40-mpg mark.

The 2014 Nissan Sentra comes with LED accents on the headlights and LED taillights as standard. There are seven different trim levels, ranging from the standard S 6MT to the SL which has auto headlights and keyless entry and start. It is roomy for passengers in the back, with 37.4 inches of legroom. The standard model comes with 16in steel wheels, while the SR and SL come with 17in aluminum-alloy wheels as standard.

The Sentra comes with a four-speaker CD audio system and an auxiliary audio jack. Available options include an eight-speaker Bose audio system, a USB port, Bluetooth with audio streaming, satellite radio, a 5.8-inch touch-screen navigation system, a rearview camera, a power moonroof, push-button start, hands-free text messaging and NissanConnect, which links the car’s infotainment system with smartphone apps like Facebook and Pandora Internet radio.

Nissan Sentra comes standard with antilock brakes, dual front, front side and full-length side-curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems.

The base 2014 Nissan Sentra starts at $16,800, including an $810 destination charge, reflecting no price increase over the 2013 model.But the fuel-efficient 2014 Nissan Sentra FE+S CVT starts at $18,000, including shipping, reflecting a $200 price increase over the 2013 model.The 2014 Nissan Sentra FE+SV CVT starts at $18,700, including shipping, reflecting a $100 price increase over the 2013 model.

2014 Nissan Titan details

2014 Nissan Titan

The 2014 Nissan Titan is a full-size, half-ton pickup truck with a big-displacement V8 under the hood and a choice of King or Crew Cab configurations.

There are essentially two different body styles for the 2014 Nissan Titan King Cab and Crew Cab and between them as well as the four trim levels, there's a wide range of equipment, comfort, and luxury for pickup drivers. The Titan is available with a factory-applied spray-in bedliner and lockable storage bins built into its bed fenders. Those features, and a channel-based cargo-cleat system, make the Titan better than most for the sort of weekend hobbyist-hauler tasks you might have like  picking up furniture, or anoutboard motor.

In contrast to the its competitors, which offer a range of six- and eight-cylinder engine options, the Titan comes only with a 5.6-liter V8. This mill makes a healthy 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft torque and pairs exclusively with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Properly equipped, a 2014 Titan extended cab can tow up to 9,500 pounds, while crew cabs top out at 9,400. EPA-estimated fuel economy for two-wheel-drive Titans is 15 mpg combined (13 city/18 highway). Four-wheel-drive models are rated at 14 combined (12 city/17 highway). These fuel economy numbers are below average for a full-size truck with a V8 of this size.

In any configuration, Nissan's Titan is one smooth operator, even if its platform is showing its age. The powertrain is refined, though its 5-speed automatic transmission is short at least a gear in its competitive set. And the sturdy nature of its fully boxed F-Alpha pickup platform is immediately evident; the Titan is the automotive equivalent of Fort Knox. Finally, the Titan's 28-gallon fuel capacity should provide more than 400 miles of highway driving between fill-ups.

A six-speaker stereo is standard. Major options include power windows and mirrors, cruise control, an eight- or 10-speaker stereo system, a USB port, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a rear-seat entertainment system, navigation, rear parking sensors and a backup camera.

Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes dual front, front side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

If you need a full-size pickup with power to perform and deal with heavy loads, and with plenty of room inside, and you'd also like the comfort and convenience of the Titan's level of refinement, then it definitely should be on your shopping list.

The 2014 Nissan Titan will have a starting price of $29,270 for the King Cab version — while the Crew Cab will cost from $31,820.

2014 Nissan Versa Note details

2014 Nissan Versa Note

Nissan has revealed its new Note model, billing it as a global sub-compact hatchback, with the obvious assumption that it would form the basis of the next-generation Versa hatch.

The 2014 Nissan Versa Note's sculpted, modern styling is designed to accomplish two things: provide enhanced aerodynamics to help improve fuel economy and to stand out from the crowd of entry-level competitors. Its dramatic shape and proportions provide an energetic look that reflects the active lives of its target buyers.

Picture an economy car in your mind, and you'll likely visualize something akin to the 2014 Nissan Versa Sedan. It is utterly acceptable and that's it. But the Versa Note kicks it all up a notch with exterior styling that Note product planners cite as a "reason to buy." We agree. The Note's overhangs are six inches shorter than the Sedan's, and the result is a more energetic-looking design. Higher-trim SV and SL models are distinguished by chrome highlights. Wheels are 15- or 16-inch, and steel or aluminum-alloy, depending on the bodystyle, trim and option package.

Powering the Versa Note is the same engine found in the sedan: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder good for a modest but effective 109 horsepower and 109pound-feet of torque. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on the base model, while an all-new continuously variable transmission (CVT) comes on higher trim levels. Significantly, this revised CVT uses a secondary set of gears on the low end to help reduce the sluggish, rubber-band feel from which most CVTs suffer. As a result, the Versa Note has adequate oomph at lower speeds, and most people won't even notice they're not driving a regular automatic transmission.

With a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that produces just 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, the Note isn't going to be winning any drag races. However, it is highly efficient when optioned with the available continuously variable transmission (CVT), which helps the hatchback return 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. Spec'ing the CVT also nets high-tech grille shutters that close at freeway speeds to reduce drag and improve fuel economy.

The Versa comes standard with a two-speaker CD audio system and an auxiliary input. Buyers have to upgrade to get Bluetooth or a USB port, which are features that come standard in many rivals. Additional options include a multi-view camera, navigation, keyless entry, push-button start, power windows and door locks, cruise control, an upgraded stereo with satellite radio and steering wheel-mounted audio controls

The Note’s list of more-normal options includes 16-inch wheels, navigation, Nissan’s cool around-view monitor and backup camera, Nissan Intelligent Access key with push-button start, heated seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Nissan has announced the Versa Note’s starting price, which comes in at a low-but-not-as-low-as-the-sedan $14,840.and is available in three different versions: the S, S Plus and SV.