Nissan Teana test drive since 2008 sedan

A helpful teana

Business class car according to Nissan
I can assume that the reader expects me primarily a comparison of Teana with Maxima. In the end, the novelty replaced Maxim - very popular in its class, but clearly delayed in our market. I intend to avoid such comparisons if possible, because Teana is a completely different car in all respects. It would be too simple - starting from similar dimensions, and not particularly straining, to say that Teana surpasses Maxima both in running qualities, in terms of comfort, and in privacy in maneuverability, soundproofing, and other parameters. So, after all, it cannot be otherwise, the model debuted in Japan relatively recently, in 2004. And it is sold, by the way, only in Asia, and now in Russia. Therefore, it will be more fair to it as an original, quite independent product.
 
Solidity to her to face
 
This approach is also due to the fact that the new Maxima has long existed. It is sold in the American market, under which it is imprisoned: the main impression of a long trip in it is an extremely imposing, soft car. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Nissan managers, after long thoughts, brought Teana to the Russian market. Let's take a closer look?
 
Agree, the sedan looks respectable. The Asian designer school is visible immediately, but this, I would say - a new school. She is inherent in identity in combination with impeccable proportions and modern style. Of course, it is possible to look for something similar in other models, but this occupation will be ungrateful: Teana is quite original. Lighting technology looks fresh enough, which introduces a certain highlight in a calm set of rounded shapes. The rear lights on LEDs visually facilitate a rather massive stern. The appearance of the car as a whole is harmonious, it is perceived by the adequate class and causes confidence. A decent wheelbase -2775 mm at a overall length of 4845 mm, as well as a solid width, promise approximate behavior on the road and comfort inside.
 
In the cabin, as expected, spacious. Perhaps even a five of the inside will not be crowded. Unless, of course, there are not three athletes from behind. I myself - really, in proud loneliness - specially drove in the back seat of almost a hundred kilometers, so I can testify: comfortable. Therefore, Teana can also be used as a representative car. Both rear places can be equipped with heating, and in the central armrest there are not only two cup holders, but also a number of buttons for controlling the audio system, 2-speed heating seats and the rear sunscreen equipped with an electric drive. Perhaps the curtains on the side glasses of the rear doors would not have prevented, as well as an ashtray in the armrest - the smoking person (I know that it is harmful!) It is extremely inconvenient to reach the lower part of the central tunnel. In addition, the possibility of adjusting the back of the seat on the angle of inclination would not hurt, although in general it is quite convenient. But here I catch myself thinking that this is still not about the representative limousine. Many owners of such cars prefer to be driving.
 
I can also say that in the back seat is slightly rocking. However, we drove quickly, and far from an ideal road. I felt how shock absorbers and springs were trying to reduce any bumps, but even with such comfortable settings they could not turn the roads of the Leningrad region into a German autobahn. At the same time, and sitting behind, I would not call the pendants too soft, rather helpfully. As much as, in fact, Teana itself is helpful: it is not only comfortable, but responsive to the driver’s teams, has good manners on the road, and it is hardly worth doubt that it is reliable.
 
I will draw the attention of the reader to the soft front seats with a longitudinal stitching, which were sheathed in a test car and moved using electric drives. The range of these movements is great, which allows you to get a job as you wish (better - as correctly), despite the only rudder adjustment - in height. Yes, and the back is not well profiled, although my back would not have prevented a separate lumbar background. It is funny that the front passenger seat is equipped with a drawer under the feet (OTTOMAN SEAT) and a massage function. Personally, it seems to me that it would be more logical to equip the driver’s place and the rear passenger chair with such functions.
 
In fact, at first the interior seems simple, without special frills. But this is only the first impression that takes place with a more detailed study. So, the instrument shield is covered with a visor, which stretches the entire front panel and creates a feeling of two -story. Stylish and tasteful! And the readings of the devices are visible both day and night. The tachometer is frankly small, but is it so important in a car with a 3.5-liter V6 and with a variator? There is not even an indicator of the temperature of the power unit - it seems that many automakers have recently considered it unnecessary, and replace it with a simple control light, which will light up, if the motor overheats. But the speedometer dominates so that the driver does not forget at what speed he moves. It is difficult to determine this by ear - noise insulation in Teana is on top, and only the sounds of suspensions that work out very deep potholes can break silence. But they can be drowned, making the music louder - the audio center sounds decent. True, it is somewhat surprising that they cannot be controlled from the lamb - the buttons placed on it are only responsible for the cruise control. Fortunately, it is not necessary to reach for round levers on the central console - in general, all the main keys are located in the direct reach.
 
It is quite convenient to read the readings of the same audio center or an on -board computer thanks to a color monitor located under the same visor. The image from the rear view camera is projected on it, which is located directly above the license plate and turns on, it is worth transferring the CVT selector to the R. The Central Contain itself is not overloaded with buttons: the control panels of the musical center and the separate climate control system, and a number of keys, responsible, for example, for heating the seats. The tunnel between the driver and the passenger is trimmed with wood, the handle of the variator and the rim of the steering wheel - the skin. The armrest has a roomy niche. And the luggage compartment is not small - with a volume of 476 liters.
 
The carriage to me!
 
As part of the official test drive, I managed to try only the most powerful version of Teana. Meanwhile, cars with a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter engine, and with another V6 volume of 2.3 liters will also be delivered to the Russian market. All of them are aggregated exclusively with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and only a 3.5-liter V6 has a CVT-a variator with a manual transition to any of the six ranges. I must say right away: the tandem of the 245-horsepower engine and CVT work perfectly. Already the first intensive acceleration made it possible to verify the remarkable dynamics of this antennap -wheel drive car. The charm of the variator is also that there are no losses when moving from one range to another. He pressed abruptly on the gas, the tachometer arrow jumped into the area of \u200b\u200b5000 rpm, and without any failures a flat but very confident acceleration begins. This process is accompanied by a rather pleasant and moderately aggressive sound of the exhaust system.
 
By the way, Nissan, if I am not mistaken, is still the only company in the world that combines such powerful power units with a variator, which, in turn, provides less fuel consumption and better dynamics. In the latter, I happened to see for myself, on winding roads near St. Petersburg. Teana is quite briskly reacting to work an accelerator, and you can forget about such a trouble as thoughtful automatic transmission. He drove the accelerator pedal, and you can notice only a subtle pause until the car begins to accelerate.
 
Of course, the power unit itself is good, which AI has repeatedly mentioned in the reports from the tests of a number of Nissan and Renault cars. Now I only remind you that this engine is equipped with a system for changing the phases of gas distribution, which guarantees a good picking in almost the entire speed range. Fortunately, in full accordance with the dynamic potential of the sedan is the potential of the brake system. Disks on all wheels, ABS - of course, the EBD brake distribution system and a helping system for emergency braking Brake Assist. But the most remarkable thing is that the driver can perfectly control the slowdown process - the pedal effort is almost perfect, like its course. I happened to be convinced a couple of times, because drivers in the northern capital love to slow down quite sharply and at the last moment. Therefore, making sure of the tenaches of the calipers - away from the city, in the direction of Sestroretsk, where there are very funny and not loaded roads.
 
The very first turns showed - the pendants are mainly configured to ensure comfortable movement. The sensations that arose in the back seat did not deceive me. The cranes of the body are not so small, but, surprisingly, they are not too felt and therefore not particularly scared. More precisely, the rolls do not annoy, because the suspensions are enough elastic, and they cope well with overloads in corners. It is important that they allow you to feel the limit of the adhesive properties of the tires.
 
The stabilization system comes into business, I would say, on the verge, but does not allow slipping and loss of course stability. And with disconnected ESP Teana is quite predictable, and behaves like a typical front -wheel drive car, despite a decent mass. For discharge of gas can go into a smooth skid, and a sharp addition of it will lead to demolition of the front axle. But the margin of strength is great, and the management of the sedan of the business class on the verge does not give much pleasure at all - this type of machine is not created, with rare exceptions. Therefore, we can state that Teana is predictable and stable at any speed. An ordinary driver is able to fully control her behavior in different situations, although for the complete transparency of control, he almost takes out feedback on the steering wheel. However, the steering wheel is light in the parking lot, and with an increase in speed it is heavy - not the worst, typical of this class of machines adjustment of the steering amplifier.
 
A matter of preferences
 
Unlike the segment of inexpensive cars, in which everything that does not appear on the market is sold - and good and medium, and very mediocre, competition in the business class cars is well tangible. It is possible to count on success in it only with an excellent product that has an attractive price/quality ratio. In my opinion, Teana will attract the attention of the Russian public, despite the fact that her rivals are quite strong.
 
Of course, the main competitor Nissan Teana is Toyota Camry. There are also a la sports Honda Accord, tested by Opel Vectra and Ford Mondeo, and soon the Russian interpretation of the American Mitsubishi Galant will appear. I'm not talking about Korean Hyundai NF and Kia Magentis, these are still a slightly different level.
 
TEANA will not have to be sweet in such a company, but the model will probably be in much greater demand than Maxima. In addition, company dealers are now actively working on attractive credit programs, which will also help in competition. Yes, and the initial price does not seem high - $ 29 990. And if Nissan decides to establish the production of Teana in Russia, at its new enterprise near St. Petersburg, and correctly adjusts the price
 
But I clearly run ahead. Representatives of the company have not yet reported such plans.
 
Text: Andrey Osipov
 

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 13 (103), 2006]