Category: Nissan

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PATHFINDER HEADS OFF TRUMP TROUBLE

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There I was doing a stint of push-mower Pilates (grass cutting) in the back yard when it struck me how clever the people at Nissan had been coming up with a cut-price large wagon at this time. With large SUV prices pushing through six figures the new ST-L Pathfinder has lopped more than $12,000 off the previous entry-level model – this trip down the road less travelled all the more prescient at a time when tariff tyrant Donald Trump is upping the ante on the cost of motoring around the… Read more

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NISSAN X-TRAIL E-POWER E-4ORCE

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Petrol/electric powered vehicles have been around for nearly a quarter of a century when Honda and Toyota launched their Insight and Prius models respectively. Over the years more hybrids have arrived to the stage where now almost every brand has a variety of them. Indeed, most Toyota passenger vehicles are only available as hybrids. Along the way batteries and electric motors have evolved while the price surcharges have made them much more affordable than the early models. Although Nissan was an early adopter of fully-electric cars, mainly the Leaf hatchback,… Read more

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NISSAN X-TRAIL N-TREK

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Meets Nissan’s latest and greatest X-Trail crossover, the N-Trek edition. Originally conceived as a limited edition of 500 vehicles, X-Trail joins the Navara and Pathfinder N-Trek editions. Based on the ST-L grade, back then it came with larger 19-inch alloys, built-in navigation, premium Bose eight-speaker audio, smoked coloured bonnet protector, slim line front and rear weather shields, front and rear kick plates and carpet mats in the five-seat version — all standard equipment. Now it rides on 18s and has six-speaker unbranded audio. Satnav remains but the other nick-nacks have… Read more

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PATROL TAKES ON REINFORCEMENTS

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It seems as though the Nissan Patrol has been ‘on the beat’ since the year dot – well, 70 years, anyway. And with the recent upgrade, the big sports utility vehicle is qualified more than most to wear the ‘icon’ tag. The Patrol comes in two well-specced grades Ti and Ti-L, while a flagship Warrior by Premcar model rounds out the range. Common to all is the carryover 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine and seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and Adaptive Shift Control. Leading the upgrades is an Aussie-developed infotainment… Read more

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QASHQAI E-POWER TAKES THE HIGH ROAD

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Back in the ‘noughties’ the Pulsar hatchback was not pulling its weight in Europe, so the maker Nissan decided to beef it up and give it a new name: in this case the Qashqai, and a new identity, the compact SUV. Down Under it became the Dualis, before following in Euro-fashion with the Qashqai moniker. Now it has gone hybrid … but, Jim, not as we know it. While the popular petrol/electric hybrid these days uses both power sources to drive the vehicle, Nissan’s e-Power system leaves the internal combustion… Read more

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NISSAN NAVARA PRO-X DUAL CAB UTILITY

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  Okay. Now I’m confused.   The Nissan Navara PRO-4X was replaced by the PRO-4X Warrior which in turn has recently been replaced by the much-hyped PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar.   Premcar had a hand in some or all of them, but here’s the thing . . . the Pro-4X is back.   Take your eye off the ball and look what happens. What’s more, there’s an SL Warrior by Premcar now too.    Who will be top dog?    STYLING To give Navara and the PRO-4X some context, there’s… Read more

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BAD-ASS X-TRAIL ATTACKS SKI SLOPES

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Check this out. Nissan has modified an X-Trail SUV to work in the snow with the creation of the X-Trail Mountain Rescue Concept. The modifications include the replacement of the wheels with snow tracks, to give the X-Trail the traction to tackle slippery slopes. GMC did a similar thing with Sierra 2500HD All Mountain concept in 2018. As well as adding the tracks, a bespoke roof rack has been added to the X-Trail to carry an evacuation stretcher and snow shovels. A siren, flashing light bar and powerful lights have… Read more

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NISSAN QASHQAI ST-L

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Once known as Dualis, Nissan’s small SUV the Qashqai has grown in size and stature over the years. Sitting between the Juke and X-Trail in terms of size, the current, third generation Qashqai was launched in 2021. It’s 60kg lighter than before, stands taller, longer and wider, and has a longer wheelbase — and of course costs more. That means more room for luggage, and more knee and leg room for rear seat passengers. What’s not to like? STYLING The latest, third generation Qashqai comes in four grades: ST, ST+,… Read more

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TASKMASTER OF HUGE PROPORTIONS

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Question: does the Navara PRO-4X Warrior, a latecomer to the ranks, have enough to take on the army of talent in one of the most closely fought contests in the Aussie automobile market? With fully armed dual cab pick-ups the likes of the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota HiLux Rugged, Mazda BT50 Thunder, Isuzu’s D-Max and the US Ram holding the line, the Navara Warrior has its work cut out. Not that Nissan isn’t out to giving things a shake, calling on input from local specialist engineer Premcar, to light… Read more

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X-TRAIL HAS ROOTS IN ‘ENEMY TERRITORY’

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In one of the most competitive segments of the automobile industry one company has called on rivals for one of its most important products. Nissan has put together its fourth generation X-Trail with parts from the Mitsubishi Outlander on a Nissan-Renault Alliance CMC-F platform. Weighing in with six petrol-powered variants in front or all-wheel drive – there are two e- Power hybrid electric vehicles on the horizon – the bitser takes on the task of making up ground on well-established rivals such as Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, Hyundai… Read more