Nissan Crossovers Guide

Select a Model (5 Available)
Nissan Quest

Year: Starting at $25,990 MPG 19-24 The Nissan Quest got a major redesign two years ago and enters the 2013 model year with just a few tweaks. The Japanese minivan holds up well against its competitors and merits a second look by anyone needing a family-friendly ride. The cabin in a minivan counts more than its exterior looks and the Quest does not disappoint in this area. It features one-touch, power sliding doors, quick release fold-flat second and third row seats and a useful rear storage well. The step-in height is lower than on other minivans, making it easier to get passengers in and out. The Quest gets a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine linked to an Xtronic continuously variable transmission. Fuel economy is decent at 19 mpg in city driving and 25 on the highway, according to the EPA. The Quest can be loaded up with lots of options designed to keep fussy kids happy, including an eleven-inch rear DVD video screen, Bose audio system and dual moonroofs that slide open. A total of six cupholders and six bottle holders are standard, along with four coat hangers and two 12-volt DC outlets. The dual-level front center console offers flexible storage, as does the removable 2nd row console. An overhead front console is standard on SL and LE models. The Quest is often the forgotten minivan on shopping lists, but it shouldn’t be. …
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Nissan Rogue

Year: Starting at $22,310 MPG 22-28 The 2013 Nissan Rogue is a stylish compact crossover that adds interest for the new model year with a new Premium Edition. This new edition adds front fog lights and a Bose audio system with seven speakers. The Rogue gets lots of credit for what it does right, including its emphasis on an attractive exterior, its spacious interior and long list of options. It is equipped with an adequate 170-horsepower 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that is underpowered next to much of the competition. It also is hampered by road noise, bad rear visibility, short backseat cushions and boring cabin styling. It can be fun to drive, up to a point, but the soft suspension tuning and average steering feel fall just short of truly sporty. The Rogue is family friendly with large storage areas in the cabin, an optional fold-flat passenger seat that boosts its practicality and comfortable front seats. The high seating position is a plus for a driver who wants a command position behind the wheel. There are also benefits at the gas pump. The front-wheel-drive Rogue returns a respectable 23 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway. The four-wheel-drive Rogue returns 22 mpg in city driving and 27 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The Rogue is competitively priced against most of its competition, including the Honda CR-V and Volkswagen Tiguan. …
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Nissan Juke

Year: Starting at $19,990 MPG 27-32 The 2013 Nissan Juke stands out from the pack with its quirky looks and fun performance. It wins points as a driver’s car, but in the end may be impractical for some families. The Juke – which has been compared to a frog in the looks department – was designed to blend the benefits of a crossover with a sports car. The Juke’s standard turbocharged 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine provides 188 horses and punchy acceleration. The engine is linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission that comes with the all-wheel-drive model. A three-mode drive selector – Normal for everyday driving, Sport for a more performance feel and Eco for maximum fuel efficient – gives the driver some interesting choices. Fuel economy is decent. The Juke with the CVT returns 27 mpg in city driving and 32 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. The six-speed manual transmission model returns 25 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway. Tight rear seats and a relatively small cargo hold may limit the Juke’s appeal. The printed fabrics and hard plastic trim in the cabin look a little cheap. The Juke is not for everyone, but it excels with a powerful engine, confidence-inspiring handling and optional all-wheel-drive – and there are eight models to choose from. …
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Nissan Murano

Year: Starting at $29,960 MPG 18-23 The 2013 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is the convertible version of the Nissan Murano crossver. It’s hard to find a more polarizing ride. Some are intrigued by its droptop fair-weather potential, others gripe that it looks bloated and ridiculous. The Murano CrossCabriolet is plagued by convertible issues like a body that shakes when it goes over bumps since it doesn’t have a solid roof to boost rigidity. It also offers minimal cargo space and has poor rear and side visibility. The unusual convertible gets a power cloth top roof, all-wheel drive and comes in just one model. It is equipped with a 265-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine linked to a continuously variable transmission. In a rare twist on a convertible, the CrossCabriolet can tow up to 3,500 pounds. It can be dressed up with optional quilted leather-trimmed seating and comes with 20-inch five-spoke titanium finish aluminum-alloy wheels. Standard safety features are plentiful and include dual pop-up roll bars for rear passengers. Nissan dropped the price of the CrossCabriolet for the 2012 model year and has not yet announced pricing on the 2013 model. Be prepared to pay more than you would for a conventional Nissan Murano. You should also be prepared to stand out in a crowd in this rare crossover, especially if you opt for Caribbean, a retro-looking aqua exterior color. …
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Nissan Pathfinder

Year: Starting at $29,290 MPG 14-20 The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has been transformed from a bloated SUV into a sleek crossover, undergoing one of the most dramatic transformations of any 2013 vehicle. The biggest knock against the outgoing model is that it was an old-fashioned SUV that was less refined than its rivals. The Pathfinder has shed its old V8 engine, along with 500 pounds, and now returns 26 mpg on the highway. The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder FWD tips the scales at 4,149 pounds; in comparison, the lightest 2013 Ford Explorer weighs 4,448 pounds. The changes should translate to a more carlike ride. Although official pricing hasn’t been announced, Nissan says the Pathfinder is in line for a price cut and would start at less than $30,000. All 2013 Pathfinders now come equipped with a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine mated with a next-generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission. The 2013 Pathfinder will be offered in 4x4 and 4x2 configurations and in four models – S, SV, SL and Platinum. It has a standard towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, significantly less than the outgoing model. The seven-passenger Pathfinder has more cabin space than the previous model. Options include a heated steering wheel, 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system, dual-zone climate control and remote engine start. Parents will love the new Latch and Glide system in the Pathfinder. Families no longer have to remove the child seat every time someone needs access to the third row. …
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