Elgrand

Vehicle: 2011 Nissan Elgrand Highway Star
Price as tested: CDN$78000 (Estimated)

Performance: While the base Elgrand serves with Nissan’s QR25DE 4-cylinder, its the uplevel VQ35DE that is the engine of choice. Elgrand’s heavy curb weight of 1930kg certainly explains that. However, it has a willing 280hp and 275lb/ft of torque to move this beast through its paces. Consider Elgand’s physical dimension and weight, its acceleration and responsiveness are a delightful surprises. Then add to the fact that Nissan’s VQ35DE has always been judged as the world’s finest V6 engine. The throttle response is quick, without feeling abrupt. As a move towards economy, Nissan has changed Elgrand’s transmission of choice from traditional automatic to Xtronic CVT. While there are some who dislike CVT’s operational logic. We have always been fond of CVT’s utmost smoothness, efficiency and economy, especially when it has to carry Elgrand’s weight. It also explains why we got an average of 13L/100km which is very good for Elgrand’s segment of luxury minivan.

Handling: After Nissan changed Elgrand from FR to FF, it doesn’t detract any of its driving characteristics whatsoever although some has lamented its cost-cutting means. That said, Elgrand continues to set a very high standard when it comes to dynamic abilities for such a large minivan. The steering remains precise and responsive, even has nice feel and feedback without feeling any numbness as its rivals. Highway Star’s sports suspension is comfortably compliant when absorbing all the bumps and roughness. The sports suspension only changes the spring rates for more compliant ride, versus its rival’s softly sprung character. Push the Elgrand through corners, it feels confidence-inspiring while hiding its size relatively well. There are plenty of body rolls and understeer is pronounced. Thanks to eletronic stability control, its able to make Elgrand even more sure-footness. Its able to save Elgrand from rearing its ugly heads with its right intervention, which has always been a nice thing.

Brakes: Once again, consider Elgrand’s weight, its braking performance is much better than average. The stopping distance is commandable while pedal feels average at best. An upgrade to aftermarket brake discs wouldn’t amiss for any of this luxury minivans. On the other hand, ABS only intervenes when necessary.

Interior: Its hard not to mention the opulent interior appointment in any of these luxury minivans. The Elgrand continues to set standards when it comes to the level of materials and fit-and-finish. Both the leather and plastic materials are top-notch. You can get all the luxurious items one can possibly want, including a back-up camera.

Both the 2nd and 3rd row are provided by superb leather bucket seats, with aplentry of legroom and headroom.

Conclusion: The move from FR to FF doesn’t detract anything from Elgrand’s class-leading status. In fact, it has improved its 3rd row headroom and luggage space without losing its opulent character. Those improvements are enough to put Elgrand at the top of the list when it comes to this very segment.

Competitions:
Toyota Alphard/Vellfire
VW Caravelle
Mercedes R-Class

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Nissan Elgrand
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 4/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Vehicle: 2007 Nissan Elgrand Highway Star
Price as tested: HK$486800

Performance: With Highway Star as flagship trim level for this upscale ppl mover, its expected to have Nissan’s legendary VQ engine performance. Even though this application of VQ35DE only has 240hp, its the torque figure that is more important given its minivan status. That’s 244 lb/ft of torque at a reasonable 3200rpm. Although its not breathtaking with barely over 240 lb/ft of torque, the seat-of-the-pants feel speaks more than the numbers. Throttle response is quick. With the good ratios set by 5-speed manumatic transmission, which is the similar gearbox as find in Altima and Maxima V6. This tranny is a willing companion to the excellent powertrain. Yes, the 2010kg curb weight does take a toll to its overall performance. By the time Nissan upgrades Elgrand with the VQ35DE High Response or HR, this vehicle will continue to raise the bar regarding performance.

Handling: A luxury ppl mover is never known for driving dynamics, so does this Elgrand. However, its center-of-gravity and roll stiffness are delightful surprise. Coming with over 2000kg and soft suspension, you would expect it to have mashmellow handling as in many domestic luxury vans. Not so with the Elgrand. It all begins with a stiff chassis, a front-engined/rear-wheel-drive layout configurates with the right engine choice. The result is a heavy beast that feels quite capable in corners. What I meant as capable equals confidence-inspiring instead of sweating. Although the steering is lack of any feedback, its precision and weight are better than average. Ride quality is simply awesome. With Highway Star’s firmer suspension and rebound damping, Elgrand actually rides confidently without losing the inherent softness typically associated with this kind of vehicle.

Brakes: Another pleasant surprise to Elgrand’s dynamic quality is its braking prowess. Its stopping distance and pedal feel are much better than expected. The pedal feel is quite impressive, once again, given its overall weight.

Interior: In terms of materials and design, Elgrand is the best effort by Nissan to date. One actually feels more luxurious in this uplevel Highway Star trim than any so-called premium Infiniti models. There are enough soft-touch plastic materials around the dashboard and door panels. The sports cloth, which covered the seats in our tester, has a high-quality feel to the touch. It feels soft and rough, what I meant rough meant its a very durable material.

The coolest feature has to be the back-up camera. Driver can adjust the angle while backing up, as well as looking at how close to the curb while cruising on the highway.

Both the 2nd and 3rd row of seats have more leg and headrooms than many of our domestic luxury minivans.

Conclusion: During the time of our writing, Nissan Canada is still considering bringing the Elgrand as a flagship minivan above the unremarkable Quest. It got everything else to be a great alternative to Ford Econoline. Its more efficient, more comfotable, easier to drive and, best of all, it looks cool with Highway Star body kit.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 NISSAN ELGRAND
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4/5