2008
NISSAN NEW SUV and WAGON MODEL GUIDE
Vehicles
for Nissan's 2008 wagon line include six
nameplates. There are truck-based SUVs
in three sizes, with the king-size Armada,
mid-size Pathfinder and the compact-class
Xterra. Nissan also offers its stylish,
people-hauling Quest minivan, and two
crossover utility vehicles (CUV) with
the mid-size Murano and a new compact-class
Rogue.
Armada
Nissan's full-size SUV is a roomy vehicle
with overwhelming power. The cabin has
three rows of seats, with fold-flat benches
on tiers two and three or an optional
captain's chair second row. The Armada
rides on the platform of the full-size
Titan truck and uses the its dual-cam
5.6-liter V8, which pumps 317 horsepower.
Nissan outfits the Armada with two-wheel-drive
(2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction.
New styling inside and out include 20-inch
wheels, revised instruments, new equipment
packages (Driver, Premium, Preferred,
Tow) and available power controls for
the third-row bench.
Pathfinder
Nissan's mid-size SUV has a five-door
passenger compartment with room in the
rear for a standard third-row seat, which
folds into the cargo floor when not in
use. Seats in the Pathfinder's second
row split 40/20/40, and can fold along
with the seatback of the front right bucket.
For 2008, the Pathfinder scores a big
V8 the optional 5.6-liter plant
producing 310 horsepower. The base powertrain
is a 4.0-liter V6 with 266 horsepower
through a five-speed electronically controlled
automatic. Fresh styling points mark the
2008 Pathfinder and include choices for
2WD traction or a 4WD system.
Xterra
Nissan's compact-class wagon is a pure
SUV, offering cushy transportation and
cargo room for hauling lifestyle sports
equipment including mountain bikes, skis
or kayaks. The Xterra's platform and powertrain
come from the Frontier pickup and includes
2WD traction or a part-time, 4WD device
with 2WD/4WD-high/4WD-low modes. A 4.0-liter
V6 achieves 261 horsepower with a six-speed
manual shifter or five-speed electronic
automatic. Xterra X is the base grade
and stocks preferred equipment, while
the Xterra OR brings traction choices
and the SE totes a Rockford Fosgate audio
kit.
Quest
The Nissan Quest has the longest wheelbase
among front-wheel drive (FWD) minivans,
making considerable room for three rows
of seats. The cabin revisions in 2007
included upgraded features, resetting
dashboard instruments directly ahead of
the driver. However, this year, the Quest's
second-row buckets and third-row bench
flip and fold to form into a flat floor
for hauling more cargo. The sliding side
doors are the widest in its segment, while
the optional Skyview roof adds multiple
glass roof panels. The minivan's power
flows from a dual-cam 3.5-liter V6 with
240 horsepower through a five-speed automatic.
Curtain-style air bags are standard equipment
for the 2008 Quest.
Murano
Nissan's fun-to-drive crossover wagon
rides on a car's FWD chassis, and offers
high-tech hardware like vehicle dynamic
control (VDC) with traction control system
(TCS) and Nissan's all-wheel-drive (AWD)
equipment. The Murano's powertrain is
a dual-cam 3.5-liter V6, which delivers
240 horsepower through the Xtronic continuously
variable transmission (CVT). The Murano's
cabin pitches a pair of bolstered buckets
in front, flanking a large console with
covered recesses for gear storage. A tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS) goes
to all 2008 Muranos.
Rogue
Nissan's new compact-size CUV rides on
the FWD platform of the Sentra sedan.
The Rogue brings the powerful engine and
responsive handling traits of a sporty
car, while offering a spacious cabin with
seating for five and cargo bay storage
space. Both FWD and AWD traction configurations
are offered for the Rogue S and SL trims.
The powertrain is Nissan's 2.5-liter,
four-pack developing 170 horsepower with
the Xtronic CVT. Curtain-style air bags
and the VDC anti-skid device are stock
safety items on the Rogue, while paddle
shifters for the steering wheel are made
available.
For
more information on Nissan
SUVs and wagons.
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