2014 Nissan Xterra details

Nissan Xterra

the Nissan Xterra is a midsize SUV with enhanced off-road ability. Built with stout body-on-frame construction and available four-wheel drive, the Xterra is a steady seller among those who use their SUV for outdoor recreation -- or those who simply wish to look the part.

With its boxy shape, swollen fender flares and roof rails that could double for industrial piping, the Xterra is the image of rough and tough. Those roof rails and built-in storage box have defined the Xterra ever since it debuted in 2000, giving this SUV practicality and a visual punch. Also still present is the asymmetrical rear window. A skidplate protects the Xterra's lower radiator from bruises, and PRO-4X models have additional skidplate protection around the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case. Those top-trim models also have fog lights and roof-mounted off-road lights. Standard wheels across the board are 16 inches in size.

The Xterra S brings the Utili-track Cargo Channel System, Easy Clean cargo area, back body side moldings, dual power exterior mirrors, a first-aid kit, a 4.3-inch color display for the audio system, AUX and USB inputs and SiriusXM satellite radio. Also standard are 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels, which feature a new design for the latest model year.

The 2014 Nissan Xterra is powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque. Two-wheel-drive X and S models can only be had with a five-speed automatic transmission, while the four-wheel-drive S and Pro-4X have a choice between the automatic and a six-speed manual. Rear-wheel drive is standard (except on the Pro-4X), and a four-wheel-drive system with a multimode low-range transfer case is available as an option.

2014 Nissan Xterra isequipped with, six-speaker stereo system, Bluetooth, auxiliary jack, USB input, an eight-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo system, a NissanConnect infotainment system with navigation and smartphone app integration, satellite radio and a backup camera.

The 2014 Xterra is fitted with driver, passenger, side-impact and curtain side-impact/rollover supplemental airbags. The Xterra also incorporates an energy-absorbing steering column, zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones, side door-guard beams, a shifter interlock system, vehicle dynamic control with traction control and a tire-pressure-monitoring system.

The 2014 Nissan Xterra has a starting price of $23,110  while the top-of-the-line Xterra PRO-4X with automatic transmission costs from $31,090.

2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet details

Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet

The 5-passenger Murano CrossCabriolet is Nissan's mid-size convertible SUV. This makes it virtually unique in its category. The CrossCabriolet provides all the cargo -carrying flexibility of a crossover/SUV bodystyle with the top-down driving.


The Murano CrossCabriolet's passenger cabin is surprisingly roomy by convertible standards. Front seats are comfortable and supportive, with a good amount of headroom and legroom. Even the two rear seats are fine for adults. Getting back there is pretty easy (as long as the windows are lowered), though the doors are absolutely enormous, which makes tight parking lots a bit tricky. The doors also open and close with a tinny, hollow thwack  a consequence of the CrossCabriolet's lack of a fixed roof.

The engine comes paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. Compared to its fixed-roof twin, the 400-pound-heavier CrossCabriolet runs about a half-second slower, taking 7.7 seconds to hit 60 mph.

According to the EPA, the 2014 Nissan Murano is rated to get between 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway depending on body style and drivetrain, with CrossCabriolet models proving slightly less fuel-efficient than their traditional SUV counterparts.

Safety is addressed with the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags, and door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor, along with front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones, front seat active head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), vehicle dynamic control (VDC), traction control system (TCS) and dual pop-up roll bars for rear passengers.

Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control and a six-speaker stereo. Bluetooth, a backup camera, navigation, satellite radio and a rear-seat entertainment system are optional.

The CrossCabrio, as it's known, is a one-of-a-kind vehicle. As far as we know it's the first-ever convertible all-wheel-drive crossover with four seats sold in the U.S. Underneath, it uses mechanicals from the well-known Murano mid-size utility vehicle mated to a largely reworked body that morphs the five-door Murano into a two-door, cloth-roofed convertible.

2014 Nissan Maxima details

2014 Nissan Maxima


Billed by the automaker as the "4-door sports car," the 2014 Nissan Maxima is a large sedan equipped with a V-6 engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT), and front-wheel drive. It competes against the Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Hyundai Azera, Kia Cadenza, and Toyota Avalon.

Defining the Maxima's styling as "liquid motion," Nissan incorporates coupe-like design cues into a mid-size sedan body. Look closely and you can see traces of the Nissan 370Z sports coupe in the 2014 Maxima, especially in the headlights and taillights. That liquid mantra carries onto the sleek hood and bulging front fenders, and carries aft where the sloping roof meets a sculpted rear end. Seen from the side, the Maxima appears in motion even when still thanks to an athletic stance. Twin tailpipes further send the message of this car's potency.

Maxima SV Sport Package ($2,100) features a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, smoked headlights, a dark chrome grille, a rear spoiler, gray metallic stitching accents, and metallic-look interior trim; high-performance summer tires are available with the Sport package.

Those sporty exterior cues are backed up by a 3.5-liter V6 that serves up a healthy 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) sends power to the front wheels. Zero-to-60 mph is achieved in roughly six seconds, and fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

The Maxima’s interior is not quite as large as some people recall, with dimensions that are great for front-seat legroom but shaded by even the Acura TL for shoulder room. The Maxima trades huge front-seat comfort for slim back-seat legroom, but individual buckets back there at least feel nice and reclined. A new twin-pane glass roof is welcome, and offers shades to keep you cool in the sun.

Standard features include push-button start, Bluetooth phone connectivity and an eight-speaker stereo. Options include leather seats, heated front seats, upgraded rear bucket seats, a backup camera, a dual panel moonroof, navigation, a Bose stereo system, Bluetooth audio streaming, a USB port and satellite radio.

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

With a new Maxima expected to debut next year for the 2015 model year, Nissan is only making small changes to its big sedan for 2014. Buyers looking to get behind the wheel of Nissan's "4-Door Sports Car" will be happy to know that the base price for the 2014 Maxima carries over from 2013 starting at $31,000

2014 Nissan Frontier details

2014 Nissan Frontier

There are minor standard and optional equipment updates on the 2014 Nissan Frontier, and trucks equipped with the factory navigation system have enhanced voice control and smartphone app integration features.

With its raised fender flares and blocky design, the Frontier has a familiar family resemblance to Nissan's Xterra SUV and Titan full-size truck. Unlike the mammoth Titan, the smaller Frontier has a sportier, more athletic attitude. King Cab and Crew Cab models have the same overall length of 205.5 inches. A long bed is available in Crew Cabs, giving them the same 73.3-inch size of those found on King Cab models. PRO-4X models have multiple skidplates to protect vital parts from nature's jabs. Top-line Crew Cab SL trims have tubular roof rails similar to those on the Xterra.

Under the hood, there's a choice of a 261 horsepower, 281-pound-foot 4.0-liter V-6 engine or a 152-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder. The V-6 is the star of this show, with pep and pulling power that's almost equal to some smaller V-8s. Improvements to the engine's internal components last year reduced friction and boosted gas mileage slightly (along with minor aerodynamic improvements), helping to keep the V-6 competitive. The four-cylinder is fine for the commuter who occasionally needs a pickup, but it's ill-suited to heavier duty. Both 4x2 (rear-wheel drive) and 4x4 drivelines are available as well.

Equipped with a five-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive, the four-banger returns 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Choosing a five-speed automatic lowers those figures to 17/23 mpg with the highway figure being up 1 mpg over the previous iteration.

Most reviewers say the Frontier's front seats are comfortable and supportive, though they also note that the four-seat King Cab's rear jump seats are quite cramped. The five-seat Crew Cab has more useable rear-seat passenger space. A four-speaker stereo is standard, while options include air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD stereo, a 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo system, a USB port, Bluetooth, satellite radio, a navigation system with a 5.8-inch touch-screen display, dual-zone automatic climate control and a backup camera.

All Frontier models come standard with dual front, side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and a tire-pressure monitoring system.Rear parking sensors and a rearview camera are available on all Frontiers, except the S and Desert Runner models.

The only crash test the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration performed on the Frontier was the rollover test, in which it earned four out of five stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Frontier a rating of Good in its moderate overlap front, side impact and roof strength tests, as well as an Acceptable mark for the head restraints and seats.

2014 Nissan Leaf details

2014 Nissan Leaf

The 2014 Leaf is largely identical to the U.S.-built 2013 model, which incorporated several changes over its Japanese-assembled predecessors. The one major change is a rise in its EPA combined rating for electric range, which has risen to 84 miles from last year's 75 miles. This isn't due to any changes in the car, but to the elimination of an 80-percent battery charging mode which, under arcane EPA rules, reduced the range rating.

Upgrades for the 2014 model are not as extensive, but Nissan said the 2014 LEAF will feature "enhanced EV-IT functionality." Details are sparse, although Nissan announced that drivers will be able to speak destinations to the car, thanks to improved speech recognition. Drivers will also be able to listen to and dictate SMS text messages. It's not confirmed, but these features could be a result of a recently-announced integration of Apple’s iOS voice-recognition features in Nissan cars.

For 2014, LEAF is powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery composed of 48 compact modules and a high-response 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, providing a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that is in keeping with what consumers have come to expect from traditional, gasoline-powered vehicles. Unlike internal-combustion engine-equipped vehicles, LEAF's powertrain has no tailpipe and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse gases while being driven.

Inside, the Leaf features a digital "eyebrow" display at the top of the instrument panel that provides high visibility for the Eco indicator and speedometer, while a lower liquid crystal meter display houses the power meter, battery temperature gauge, multi-function display, remaining energy gauge, capacity level gauge and distance to empty display.

There is no shortage of features in the LEAF with standard equipment including full power accessories, automatic climate control, heated seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel. Nissan LEAF helps you stay connected with its 4.3-inch information display, Bluetooth, advanced trip computer with CD player and four-speaker sound system, satellite radio and a USB/iPod port and auxiliary audio jack. The upgraded SV offers Nissan Navigation System with 7-inch QVGA color monitor, NavTraffic and NavWeather, and partially recycled cloth seat trim.

All Leaf models come standard with dual front, front side and full-length side curtain airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

All versions come with heated front and rear seats, and the SV and SL come with Nissan’s Navigation System to help you get around. The SL comes standard with fog lights and automatic on/off headlights, as well as a quick charge port which costs $1,630 to add to the SV version.

2014 Nissan Leaf details have just been unveiled. Pricing is almost the same as last year  starting at $28,980 ($21,480 after the federal tax credit, 18,980 after that and the California EV rebate, and $16,480 after the federal and Georgia tax credit) rather than $28,800. The $180 difference is due to inclusion of the Nissan RearView monitor.

2014 Nissan Juke details

2014 Nissan Juke

The 2014 Nissan Juke is offered in four trim levels: base S, well-equipped SV and SL and the top-of-the-line Nismo.

The 2014 Nissan Juke is a vehicle you either instantly fall in love with or run screaming from as fast as you can. From its big-eyed bumper-mounted headlights to the elongate clear plastic turn-signal/parking lights that run the length of the fender tops, the Juke appears otherworldly. Move to the side, and a roofline that squats low as it moves rearward is accented by color-keyed integrated rear-door handles giving the 5-door Juke a coupe-like appearance. A single-piece hatch with electronic release opens to reveal the Juke's rather tiny cargo hold.

The 2014 Nissan Juke's cabin is nearly as aggressively styled as its exterior. There are a lot of organic curves and body-colored surfaces, while silver accents add cheerful ambience. But there's no shortage of hard plastic surfaces, reminding you of the car's budget price tag. On the other hand, the Juke's controls are large and easy to operate, and the cabin features lots of thoughtful storage compartments.

Indoors, the Juke Nismo offers a substantially updated interior. The driver gets to toss around a sport steering wheel with Alcantara grips, black leather and red contrast stitching. There's even a red leather band at 12 o'clock just like some of our favorite aftermarket bits. That same motif makes its way to the leather shift knob, but the biggest improvement comes to the fronts seats. Nissan ditched the standard thrones in favor of comfy, heavily bolstered buckets with suede trim. With Nismo embroidery on the backs and matching red stitching, these seats are excellent. You won't find anything else like them in this class.

Under the hood there's a 188-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with either front- or all-wheel drive, and a choice of manual or continuously variable (CVT) transmissions. You'd think this powertrain would yield a quick little urban runabout, yet it's oddly ponderous and rather noisy. Likewise, gas mileage isn't anything to beam about, at 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway at best.

The entry level Juke ST comes with a five-speed manual transmission or CVT while the Juke ST-S is fitted with a six-speed manual and the top-specced Juke Ti-S has the CVT with preset ratios that give a sort of a manual mode.

Bluetooth streaming comes standard, it has steering-wheel mounted controls, cruise control, speed limiter, remote keyless entry and the ST-S and Ti-S variants have a five-inch colour VGA LCD screen, satellite navigation, six speakers. The topline Nissan Juke Ti-S also has heated leather seats.

The 2014 Nissan Juke comes with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, active front head restraints, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. A rearview camera is optional.ST-S and Ti-S models get rear view camera, rain sensing wipers and auto on/off headlights with dusk detection.

2014 Nissan Cube details

2014 Nissan Cube

The 2014 Nissan Cube is a boxy, 5-passenger front-wheel-drive (FWD) car classified as a small station wagon by the EPA. Competitors include hatchback or 5-door versions of the Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta, and Hyundai Accent, as well as others including the Scion xD and even Nissan's own Versa Note.

The Cube joins the small cast of other boxy compact vehicles such as Scion xB and Kia Soul, but still manages to stand out from them. Whereas those rivals have taut, angular lines, the Cube's symmetry is softened with rounded edges. And then there are the windows, big orbs of glass that make the Cube look like it jumped to life from a cartoon. The rear-left window especially stands out, as it gives the appearance of wrapping around the corner of the car. Rounded lights front and back complete the square-meets-circle motif. The Cube's rear door swings out toward the left instead of rising vertically like a hatchback.

The 2014 Nissan Cube is powered by 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 122 horsepower and 127 lb-ft. A six-speed manual comes standard, while a CVT (continuously variable transmission) can also be had. Fuel economy is a middling 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the stick, while opting for the CVT increases efficiency slightly to 27/31 mpg.

In performance testing, a Cube with the CVT went from zero to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds an average time for a subcompact car. EPA-estimated fuel economy, however, is pretty mediocre for a subcompact at 28 mpg combined (27 city/31 highway) with the CVT and 27 combined (25/30) with the manual.

Standard features include a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth phone connectivity, an iPod interface, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls and keyless entry. Optional features include a touch-screen navigation system, a rearview camera, a Rockford Fosgate audio system, a USB port, satellite radio, automatic climate control and push-button start. Auto writers say the Cube offers a good amount of standard and available features and that the climate controls are well-placed and simple to master.

All Cube models come standard with dual front, front side and full-length side curtain air bags, antilock brakes (disc front, drum rear), in addition to traction and stability control systems.A rearview camera is optional on the SL trim.


The Cube's ride comfort is better even than some of the nicer sedans and crossovers in the economy market. What there is and this probably comes as no surprise is quite a bit of wind noise at highway speeds. Otherwise interior materials betray the Cube's sub-$20,000 price tag, although all the styling touches will probably distract you from that for a while.