2009 Nissan Rogue - Review

Introduction

The Rogue is Nissan’s entry into the competitive small-sport-utility segment. Like most of its competition, the Rogue is car-based, available with front- or all-wheel drive, and relatively fuel efficient compared to the truck-based sport-utility vehicles of the past. The Rogue is built on the same platform as the economy-car Sentra, for which we’ve never had much love, but the Rogue manages to transcend its plebeian roots.

Unlike some of its competition, Rogue is only available with four-cylinder power. Despite not having an available V-6, the 170-hp Rogue will still be quick enough for most; it is quicker than its four-cylinder competition. Connected to the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that instead of shifting gears, seamlessly moves through a spread of gear ratios. To the uninitiated driver, the CVT will seem much like a traditional automatic transmission—slip the shifter into drive and go. But spend more time with the CVT and its smooth and shiftless power delivery will become apparent. The transmission can make the engine drone annoyingly under maximum acceleration, but most drivers won’t be flat-footing their Rogue very often. A Rogue equipped with all-wheel drive delivers EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway; the front-drive version returns 22 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway.

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2009 Nissan 370Z - Video

Nissan seems to have addressed the few complaints we had with the 350Z.

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2010 Nissan Cube - Video

Nissan is bringing its third-generation Cube to the U.S. to compete in the box wars against the Scion xB, Honda Element, and upcoming Kia Soul.

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2009 Nissan Versa Sedan and Hatchback - Review

Introduction

Nissan’s Versa has been on sale for two years and in that time has proven itself to be a competitive small car for a small price. It combines a fuel-efficient and powerful engine with smart packaging.

The Versa comes in S and SL trims and both sedan and five-door body styles, (almost) all of which use Nissan’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder and either a six-speed manual, four-speed automatic, or continuously variable transmission. The exception is the new-for-2009 Versa 1.6 sedan, which is aimed at the bargain-minded and gets a 1.6-liter four mated to either a standard five-speed manual or the four-speed auto. Power is respectable and at the head of the segment (except the new 1.6 model, which makes do with 107 hp), with the 1.8-liter four-cylinder making 122 hp.

Verdict

A Versa five-door placed second in a recent comparison test of $15,000 econoboxes, trailing only the Honda Fit. That car beats the Nissan in the fun-to-drive department. We did, however, note that the Nissan is a great overall value because what it lacks in sportiness it makes up for in stuff-carrying ability. Given its less sporty nature, the Versa also offers a more comfortable ride than the Fit.

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2009 Nissan Versa 1.6 Sedan - Short Take Road Test

The economy is tanking, your car is following suit, and taking the risk on a used car is a little too unsettling. You prefer the warm comfort of a factory-backed three-year, 36,000-mile warranty but don’t have a whole lot of coin to spend. Nissan has a solution: the Versa 1.6, the cheapest brand-spankin’-new sedan in America.

Not Even a Radio

The 1.6 is essentially a Versa with a smaller engine and almost no creature comforts. It comes in two very basic versions, the 1.6 Base and 1.6. Both are powered by a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder with 107 hp at 6000 rpm and 111 lb-ft of torque at 4600 rpm, down 15 hp and 17 lb-ft from the 1.8 liter used in other Versas. Mated only to a five-speed manual gearbox, the 1.6 Base comes standard with six airbags, front-seat active head restraints, and a tire-pressure monitoring system for a base price of $10,685. The only options available on the Base are your choice of four exterior colors, anti-lock brakes for $250, and floor and trunk mats for $155. That’s it.

Spend an extra $1000 and upgrade from the Base car to the 1.6 trim, and you’ll get standard air conditioning and the choice of keeping the manual transmission or adding a four-speed automatic at no charge. We tested a fully loaded (!) Versa 1.6 manual with ABS and floor mats, which came to a grand total of $12,090. Music? Forget about it, since there’s no radio. The 1.6 only comes pre-wired with four speakers to accept a dealer-installed or aftermarket head unit, an addition we highly recommend—you can only talk to yourself for so long before you go nuts.

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Nissan Announces 2010 Cube Pricing and Upscale Cube Krōm - Auto Shows

As if the cutesy shape, cartoonish detailing, and asymmetrical rear glass weren’t goofy enough, Nissan used the Chicago auto show to announce perhaps the strangest name in automotive history for an option package on its upcoming Cube: Ginormous.

Speculation around our office is that checking the Ginormous option box might net you an Armada (they’re selling slowly) at Cube prices. Not so, says Nissan. Although it isn’t disclosing exactly what is included in the pack, the company says it will be some bundle of accessories otherwise available a la carte, the menu of which is some 40 items deep. The company promises a 20-color interior illumination kit, shag-carpet dash inserts, body kits, aluminum wheels, illuminated stainless-steel sill plates, drilled stainless pedal covers, “front door bungees”—which thankfully aren’t used in place of the hinges but are colorful elastic straps on the armrest that can be used to secure small items—interior trim appliqués, and more.

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