According to the classification in force in the automotive market, Nissan Elgrand belongs to the family of minivans. This vehicle is mainly focused on the transportation of passengers. The car is also used to transport large-sized household appliances.
Elgrand lineup
For all technical characteristics, the Nissan Elgrand is listed in the minivan category. By definition, which is given in reference and technical literature, this group includes cars designed to carry no more than eight passengers. The ninth place is taken by the driver. Vehicles that have more seats are called minibuses. It is important to emphasize that the driver of a minivan needs to have a category “B” license.
Focusing on market demands, the company presented a new model in its product line at the 1997 Motor Show. The Nissan Elgrand immediately caught the attention of its target audience. Photos and videos depicting the car have appeared in all themed publications and television programs. Potential car owners appreciated the following options:
· Strict and balanced exterior;
· Comfortable interior;
· Possibility to select a specific type of engine.
One of two gasoline or diesel engines could be installed on the Elgrand.
The presentation of the second generation model took place in 2003. Already in the next season, the first copies that rolled off the assembly line appeared on sale. It is important to note that European manufacturers started working in this market segment earlier. Experts from the land of the rising sun closely followed all the actions of foreign competitors. Based on the information received, the Nissan concern expanded the color range of its cars. The steel disks were replaced with light alloy products.
Taking into account the wishes and comments from car owners, athermal glass was installed on the minivan. The sliding side door was equipped with an automatic door closer. To make parking easier for the driver, a rear-view video camera was installed on the car. The signal from the camera is fed to a color display, which is fixed on the center console. The passenger compartment can accommodate two flat-panel televisions. High-quality plastic and artificial leather were used in the interior trim.
In 2012, the automotive world saw the third generation Elgrand. If in the models of previous generations, chairs were installed in three rows, then in the updated one, a complete set with two rows of seats is provided. A couple of seats in the back - armchairs trimmed with leather, with ventilation and heating. Special footrests are provided here. On a car, you can order tires with sound-absorbing lining inside. The cruise control scheme related to the steering and braking system received positive reviews.
Engine and chassis
Since the Nissan Elgrand has a solid mass, from 1900 to 2200 kg, the car is equipped with a powerful engine. The buyer is given the opportunity to choose a suitable option for himself. As a result of "natural" selection, the manufacturing company limited the range of engines to only gasoline units. Having summarized the experience of operating a minivan over the past ten years, engineers and managers made a bold decision - to abandon the diesel engine. The reason for this step was numerous complaints about the low reliability of diesel units. Especially in the winter. In most cases, this is due to poor fuel quality.
Gasoline engines proved to be more durable. The first unit with a volume of 2.5 liters, with a capacity of 190 horsepower. The second - with a volume of 3.5 liters, with a capacity of 280 horsepower. In the basic configuration, the car has front-wheel drive. For models with four-wheel drive, a more powerful power unit is used. On the third generation Nissan Elgrand, the engine position has been changed to transverse. This solution has significantly improved the reliability and increased the turnaround time of the transmission. The buyer is offered an automatic transmission or a variator.
Safety system
According to the current rules and regulations, the road is considered a high-risk zone. The design of the Nissan Elgrand minivan contains elements of active and passive protection against possible damage to the machine and injury to people in the cabin. There is a pre-tensioned, three-point seat belt for each passenger in the seat. Front and side airbags are provided for the driver and front passenger.
Despite the fact that Nissan Elgrand does not belong to the category of high-speed cars, when driving on a suburban highway or in heavy city traffic, a collision of vehicles can lead to tragic consequences. To reduce the likelihood of a road accident, the minivan is equipped with the Around View Monitor system, which shows the car from above and warns with an audible signal of nearby objects. The all-round view, which is carried out using video cameras installed on board, allows the driver to make timely and accurate decisions.
Advantages and disadvantages of a minivan
Before making a sale and purchase transaction, the future owner should soberly weigh all the positive and negative properties of the car. Since the minivan is used to transport people, it is very important to evaluate the options that create a comfortable environment in the cabin. The first advantage is the convenient entrance to the salon. It's cool in the car in summer, and not cold in winter. During a long trip, the passenger has the opportunity to relax and watch a movie on TV. The price of nissan elgrand is affordable for a middle-income citizen.
The potential owner also needs to be aware of the real difficulties that may arise. First of all, it is the difficulty in providing spare parts and consumables. Practice shows that most cars are purchased on the secondary market. Official dealers of the Nissan concern do not offer a minivan on the Russian market. It follows from this that the owner does not receive a guarantee for car maintenance. He has to rely only on his own strengths, connections and opportunities. When passing a technical inspection, difficulties often arise.
Competition and cost
Any model can be found and purchased on the domestic vehicle market. However, in specific situations, not everything works out the way you want. All major auto concerns supply their products to Russia. The real competition for Japanese cars is cars from China, the European Union and the United States. There are no authorized dealers of Nissan Elgrand in our country. With a strong desire or urgent need, you can buy Nissan Elgrand from "gray" dealers or drive it from Japan. In this case, the minivan will cost about 25 thousand dollars.
In the secondary market for a used car, you will have to "lay out" from five to twenty thousand. When choosing and buying, it is recommended to act without haste. Especially in the case when credit resources are attracted. And remember that the maintenance of a vehicle also requires money, because gasoline now costs a good "pretty penny". It is important to have a clear plan for using the minivan in order to recoup the costs as soon as possible. It is advisable to check all calculations and only after that make a final decision.
