When you are on the look out for a mobile phone, you probably end up buying the smallest of the lot, even if that means paying a premium for it. Car shopping is just the reverse story, because you need the biggest one out there so that you get the maximum space for yourself and the mobile phone you just bought. And Nissan’s second offering, the Teana, though it arrived late, pampers you with a lot of space and ride comfort that is a must for its category.
At upwards of twenty lakhs, it is very steeply priced like the Toyota Camry which is also an import and costs even more. But opposed to the Camry’s four cylinder motor, the Teana has a V6 engine that has won its place in succession, for almost a decade, among the top ten engines around the world. So as expected, it is a paradigm of refinement which goes well with the nature of the car. But more on that, later.
Also known as the ‘Cefira’ in certain other markets, the Teana looks graceful with its flowing lines and rounded edges which give it loads of street presence. The car breaks no new moulds on the design front but yet, it manages to grab a lot of attention as it drives past. Distinctly Japanese in looks and technology, it features LED tail-lamps at the rear and a raised boot that is more to American tastes. Generous chrome embellishments make up for the rather bland design and help to give it an understated elegance.
The Nissan Teana has, by far, the most comfortable rear seats on any car in its segment, with perfect back rest angle and support. There is plenty of legroom, vents for the air-conditioner at the rear and even a powered rear sun blind. What it lacks though is width and three people at the rear will not be very comfortable as the padding of the seats suits two people rather than three. The two front seats have power adjustments and the dash board design looks great with each element seamlessly integrated into the other. There is a black centre console laid against a light-coloured fascia with two horizontal planks of wood running across its length. The material quality is great and of late, Japanese cars have come to exhibit an aura that was once the preserve of the Europeans. The Nissan comes with a keyless entry system that unlocks the doors as you touch the door handle and even starts the car when you turn a knob behind the steering wheel, all this without your having to take the keys out of your pocket.
The car drives on independent MacPherson struts at the front and a sophisticated multi-link layout at the rear and whatever that means, I can tell you that all this transforms this car into that magic carpet of the Arabian stories. The car rides exceptionally, but this means the handling is not sporty, but who expects the chauffeur to have fun here? It rolls a bit, but is very stable and sure footed and the steering has just the right amount of feel.
The heart of the matter is of course the refined engine. The Teana has a small 2.4L V6 engine that belts out a reasonable 170bhp and 22.8kgm of torque and this mated to a four speed automatic gearbox means a smooth drive with no jerky movements even if the driver tries hard to disturb you after you have teased him. It takes about 11 seconds to get to 100kmph from a standstill and though this is not anything to rave about, it is adequate for a car with an auto and a small engine. The car cruises effortlessly at speeds of 150kmph and the engine’s refinement more than makes up for its slight lack of performance.
The Nissan Teana has other established Japanese rivals like the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord here in India as in the rest of the world. Whereas it outclasses the Toyota on most grounds except looks, the Accords, both 2.4L and 3.0L V6 present a tough situation. The Accord 2.4 which is roughly the same size and with similar engine capacity comes at a price that undercuts the Teana by nearly Rs. 4 lakhs and that should appeal to people who would be rear seat drivers. And for those who love to be at the steering wheel, there is the driver focused 3000cc, 221bhp Accord V6 which again is Rs. 2 lakhs cheaper and comes with more equipment than the Teana. And Honda has more than ten times the number of Nissan service outlets in India , which should make the deal sweeter. But Accords are a common sight on the road and those who want to try something new and different, and need a lot of pampering at the rear seat, the Teana is where your search ends. How else can I justify the car’s late entry into our Indian market?
At upwards of twenty lakhs, it is very steeply priced like the Toyota Camry which is also an import and costs even more. But opposed to the Camry’s four cylinder motor, the Teana has a V6 engine that has won its place in succession, for almost a decade, among the top ten engines around the world. So as expected, it is a paradigm of refinement which goes well with the nature of the car. But more on that, later.
Also known as the ‘Cefira’ in certain other markets, the Teana looks graceful with its flowing lines and rounded edges which give it loads of street presence. The car breaks no new moulds on the design front but yet, it manages to grab a lot of attention as it drives past. Distinctly Japanese in looks and technology, it features LED tail-lamps at the rear and a raised boot that is more to American tastes. Generous chrome embellishments make up for the rather bland design and help to give it an understated elegance.
The Nissan Teana has, by far, the most comfortable rear seats on any car in its segment, with perfect back rest angle and support. There is plenty of legroom, vents for the air-conditioner at the rear and even a powered rear sun blind. What it lacks though is width and three people at the rear will not be very comfortable as the padding of the seats suits two people rather than three. The two front seats have power adjustments and the dash board design looks great with each element seamlessly integrated into the other. There is a black centre console laid against a light-coloured fascia with two horizontal planks of wood running across its length. The material quality is great and of late, Japanese cars have come to exhibit an aura that was once the preserve of the Europeans. The Nissan comes with a keyless entry system that unlocks the doors as you touch the door handle and even starts the car when you turn a knob behind the steering wheel, all this without your having to take the keys out of your pocket.
The car drives on independent MacPherson struts at the front and a sophisticated multi-link layout at the rear and whatever that means, I can tell you that all this transforms this car into that magic carpet of the Arabian stories. The car rides exceptionally, but this means the handling is not sporty, but who expects the chauffeur to have fun here? It rolls a bit, but is very stable and sure footed and the steering has just the right amount of feel.
The heart of the matter is of course the refined engine. The Teana has a small 2.4L V6 engine that belts out a reasonable 170bhp and 22.8kgm of torque and this mated to a four speed automatic gearbox means a smooth drive with no jerky movements even if the driver tries hard to disturb you after you have teased him. It takes about 11 seconds to get to 100kmph from a standstill and though this is not anything to rave about, it is adequate for a car with an auto and a small engine. The car cruises effortlessly at speeds of 150kmph and the engine’s refinement more than makes up for its slight lack of performance.
The Nissan Teana has other established Japanese rivals like the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord here in India as in the rest of the world. Whereas it outclasses the Toyota on most grounds except looks, the Accords, both 2.4L and 3.0L V6 present a tough situation. The Accord 2.4 which is roughly the same size and with similar engine capacity comes at a price that undercuts the Teana by nearly Rs. 4 lakhs and that should appeal to people who would be rear seat drivers. And for those who love to be at the steering wheel, there is the driver focused 3000cc, 221bhp Accord V6 which again is Rs. 2 lakhs cheaper and comes with more equipment than the Teana. And Honda has more than ten times the number of Nissan service outlets in India , which should make the deal sweeter. But Accords are a common sight on the road and those who want to try something new and different, and need a lot of pampering at the rear seat, the Teana is where your search ends. How else can I justify the car’s late entry into our Indian market?
SCORE BOARD
Style & Design: 8/10
Finish & Build quality: 7/10
Engine & Gearbox: 9/10
Performance: 6/10
Brakes:8/10
Ride: 7/10
Handling & Fun To Drive: 5/10
Value for money: 3/10
Interior and comfort: 9/10
Ownership Experience: 3/10
(So the car gets an overall score of 6.5)
Finish & Build quality: 7/10
Engine & Gearbox: 9/10
Performance: 6/10
Brakes:8/10
Ride: 7/10
Handling & Fun To Drive: 5/10
Value for money: 3/10
Interior and comfort: 9/10
Ownership Experience: 3/10
(So the car gets an overall score of 6.5)
* The car scores badly on value for money mostly due to the Accord which is locally produced. Teana is an import and that it costs Rs. 20+lakhs reduces its points in value for money
** Nissan has very few outlets in India, so servicing the car will not be a pleasant experience unless the car is in these metros where service is available. For instance, there is not even a single Nissan dealer in Kerala where as Honda has nearly 11 dealers)
** Nissan has very few outlets in India, so servicing the car will not be a pleasant experience unless the car is in these metros where service is available. For instance, there is not even a single Nissan dealer in Kerala where as Honda has nearly 11 dealers)
0 comments:
Post a Comment