2017 Nissan Murano

Ever thought you got more than you paid for?  If it has been awhile and you are searching for a versatile five passenger midsized crossover SUV that has ample room for all your passengers.  Then do check out the 2017 Nissan Murano with the friendly folks at Fort Worth Nissan located at 3451 W. Loop 820 South in Fort Worth, Texas or by calling the dealership at 817-560-9000 and take your expectations for a spin. 

It is really a smart choice if you desire an upscale, V6 powered midsized crossover without the luxury brand price tag.  Even the base Murano S trim comes very well equipped with keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control to keep your partner happy, rearview camera to save the neighbor kid's bike, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port.  The reasonable priced navigation package adds traffic info, a larger screen and an additional USB port for the rear seat.  The Murano is well known for its family hauling duties, but what separates it from the pack of crossover SUV's is its exterior styling.

You will not miss where you parked your Murano.  It's very stylish “floating roof” and the “V-Motion” front end and the “Boomerang” lights that wrap into the fender make it easy to find.  Along with the curves that boast the Murano's   aerodynamics with the front and rear spoilers that set the stage, there isn't a square inch that isn't artfully folded and molded.  This Murano just hates going away unnoticed. 

When you slide into those wide and so comfy seats for that enjoyable test drive you will realize this is where Nissan engineers and designers also spent a lot of time and effort.  There isn't a straight line in view, with large sweeping attractive curves adorned in upscale materials.  Even the surfaces that you just know are hard appear to be soft. How did they do it?  As you settle yourself into the “Zero Gravity” seats, you just know this a great place to be.  There is gobs of room available especially for your rear passengers as the seats recline with a center armrest.  Behind the rear seats there are over 30 cubic feet of space for your stuff and flipping those seats over for your trips to the big box stores the area increases to over 65 cubic feet.  If parking is your problem, no problem, as the new Murano has the available Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection that employs cameras that give the driver a full 360-degree exterior view. 

It just gets better as what lives under the handsome hood lives a strong 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 260 lively horses.  It is mated with Nissan's Xtronic smooth shifting CVT with D-Step logic.  The Murano is available with either front wheel or all-wheel drive for those who desire more confidence behind the wheel.  On top of all that, this family hauler just rides and handles so graciously in a quiet and confident manner.  Nissan describes the Murano as a “Social Lounge” and that is right on target.  Go ahead and make the short drive to Fort Worth Nissan as now is no better time to check it out and find out why owners are saying their Nissan Murano is just as much fun to drive as it is to be seen in.

New Nissan Leaf will feature automatic self-parking

Nissan said the addition of self-parking “liberates drivers from one of the most tedious, and at times the most challenging, tasks of driving” and gives you confidence to “park perfectly.”

Nissan’s ProPilot system is the first of a three-stage ramp up to urban autonomous driving in 2020. ProPilot enables single-lane semiautonomous driving in highway conditions. It uses self-steering to keep the vehicle centered in the lane and guide it smoothly around curves.

As part of its Intelligent Mobility strategy, Nissan plans to build upon ProPilot with a more advanced system due around 2018 that will allow automated driving across multiple lanes.

The rollout will culminate in a sophisticated autonomous system that will allow “intersection autonomy” by around 2020. That function will allow cars to navigate city intersections and urban traffic without driver intervention, Nissan promises.

Nissan had previously said the redesigned Leaf would get ProPilot. But this week’s announcement details the system’s further enhancement with automatic parking.

The Japanese carmaker previewed how ProPilot Park works in an animated demo video. The driver cruises a lot for a parking spot, chooses a space and then presses the auto-park button.

The car does the rest, piloting itself with sonar and cameras.

“Hold down the ProPilot Park button with just one finger and glide effortlessly into your selected spot,” the video says. “You get total confidence that even parking in the tightest space is completely automated and stress free.”

Nissan Altima

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JOmNX2xWAg

FROM SKYLINE TO GT-R®

When the Nissan Skyline—the predecessor of the modern Nissan GT-R®— was introduced in 1957, it wasn’t actually a Nissan. Japan’s Prince Motor Company built the very first one, and it was a rather modest four-door luxury car.

It would take a few twists and turns—literally and figuratively—to become the 600 horsepower supercar we know as the GT-R® today.

NISSAN SKYLINE TAKES TO THE TRACK

The first racing GT Skyline was introduced in 1964, still under the Prince Motors flag. In 1966, following the merger of Prince and Nissan, the Skyline finally became a Nissan.

It wasn’t until 1969 that the first performance-bred Skyline was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show. It was still a sedan, but it now boasted an inline six engine and (impressive for the day) 160 horsepower.

That 1969 version of the Skyline was a touring car like no other. Taking cues from the Nissan Prince R380 racing prototype, it relied on a four-valve Dual Overhead Cam engine for power and four-wheel independent suspension for its remarkable handling. The car obliterated the competition in Japan's domestic touring races, winning 52 races in its first three years of competition.

The first two-door version was introduced in 1970. It was a successful launch and a well-received car, but a global gasoline crisis and a move towards stricter emissions standards put the Skyline on the shelf for a time.

From 1972 to 1977, the C110 generation Skyline was produced, this time though it was known as the Datsun K-Series, and four years later it went through another name change – it was now to be known as the R30.

The R30 was a successful and remarkably versatile design, available as a coupe, four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and a four-door wagon. All told, the R30 was available in 26 variations, none of them really hinting at what the Skyline would one day become.

1986 saw the introduction of the R31. It was a little bigger and boxier than previous models, and was the first to get the famous "Red Top" Skyline engine with red cam covers and the Nissan Induction Control System.

The Skyline had been through many phases, but it was in 1989 that the real precursor to the GT-R® of today was introduced. The R32 Skyline had allwheel drive and the famed Nissan RB26DETT inline six that pumped out 280 horsepower. It still wasn’t sold in America, but the JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) model was and still is a legend in the American tuner community, and a lucky few aficionados were able to legally import them to the States and had them modified to meet US emissions regulations.

2016 Nissan Pathfinder S SUV

The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is a competent but aging option among midsize three-row SUVs. It parted ways with its truck-based roots for the 2013 model year, beginning a more civilized journey with family-friendly unibody underpinnings derived from the Altima sedan. One result was a notably smoother ride, and the Pathfinder also stood out thanks to its well-trimmed interior and solid V6 power. We still consider the Pathfinder an adequate entrant in this three-row crossover class, but the competition has stiffened considerably in the years since its debut.

The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is ready for all-season duty with its available all-wheel-drive system.

Build quality and materials inside the Pathfinder remain at the segment standard or above, and there's a competitive suite of features, even if some are bundled into pricey packages. Certain options should frankly be standard, however, especially Bluetooth connectivity, which is unavailable on the base S trim, lacks streaming-audio capability on the step-up SV trim and requires an upgrade for streaming audio on the SL. Even inexpensive small crossovers get Bluetooth by default these days, and they generally get a USB port, too, which the Pathfinder S once again lacks. We also take issue with the Pathfinder's cargo capacity, which is below the segment average despite the vehicle's substantial exterior dimensions.

The truth is that there are newer, more practical and better-driving alternatives that call out the Pathfinder's once-fresh unibody ethos for what it is: old news. We'd start with the roomy and well-equipped Honda Pilot, which is fully redesigned this year, and follow that up with a close look at the perennially popular Toyota Highlander. Both are top picks in this class and have the Edmunds "A" ratings to prove it. The upcoming 2017 Mazda CX-9 will certainly be an alternative worth investigating, while the "B"-rated Dodge Durango offers generous third-row space like the Pilot and dangles the carrot of optional V8 power. The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is a likable enough crossover, but it ultimately can't keep up with today's best.

Summary Body Styles

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Read Review Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options Performance

The 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is a midsize seven-passenger crossover SUV offered in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum.

Standard equipment on the entry-level S includes 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, tri-zone automatic climate control, a six-way manual height-adjustable driver seat (with manual lumbar adjustment), 60/40-split folding second-row seats (with slide and recline), a reclining 50/50-split third-row seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control and a six-speaker sound system with a six-CD changer and an auxiliary audio jack.

The SV model adds foglights (optional on S), automatic headlights, a front tow hook, rear parking sensors, remote start, keyless entry and ignition, an eight-way power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, an individual tire pressure display, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a 7-inch central infotainment display, a rearview camera and an upgraded audio system with satellite radio and a USB input (which replaces the auxiliary jack).

The 2016 Pathfinder's interior is generally well equipped, though Bluetooth isn't standard on the base S trim level.

Stepping up to the SL trim level gets you a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, an adjustable-height power liftgate (with position memory), chrome exterior trim, a heated steering wheel, driver memory settings, a four-way power passenger seat, leather upholstery (first and second rows) and heated front and second-row seats.

Opting for the SL Tech package adds towing preparation (also available separately on SL and SV), an 8-inch touchscreen display, a 360-degree parking camera, DVD playback capability, a navigation system with voice controls and a 13-speaker Bose audio system with Bluetooth audio connectivity. The SL Premium package consists of the SL Tech package plus a dual-pane panoramic sunroof.

The top-of-the-line Platinum model starts with the above features and adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a power-adjustable steering wheel and ventilated front seats. Offered exclusively on the Platinum is a Family Entertainment package that adds a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with dual displays.

A Cold package for the SV trim adds heated front seats (the upholstery remains cloth), plus the heated mirrors and a heated steering wheel.

Read Review Performance

Body Styles Powertrains and Performance Safety

Every 2016 Nissan Pathfinder is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that puts out 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. It uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and can be paired with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive at any trim level. The AWD system includes hill-descent control and a locking center differential that fixes power distribution in a 50/50 front-to-rear ratio, which is useful on dirt roads and in the snow.

In Edmunds performance testing, an AWD Pathfinder went from zero to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds, which is about even with a Durango V6 but trails the new Pilot by a remarkable 1.6 seconds (the Highlander splits the difference at 7.3 seconds). EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 23 mpg combined (20 city/27 highway) with front-wheel drive and 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway) with all-wheel drive. In Platinum trim, the Pathfinder is rated at 21 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway). Properly equipped, any Pathfinder can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Body Styles Safety

Performance Safety Special Features

Standard safety features on the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder include antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags that cover all three rows of seats. Rear parking sensors and a rearview camera are standard on all Pathfinders except the base S, which can't get these items even as an option. The SL and Platinum come with a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Platinum comes with a more deluxe surround-view camera system that is optional on the SL. That's it for safety technologies, however, so if you want contemporary features like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, Nissan's got nothing for you.

In Edmunds brake testing, the Nissan Pathfinder AWD came to a stop from 60 mph in 124 feet, again more or less matching the Durango V6 (125 feet) but trailing the Highlander (116 feet) and Pilot (120 feet).

In government crash tests, the Pathfinder received the top five-star rating overall, with four stars for total frontal-impact protection and five stars for total side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the current Pathfinder the highest score of "Good" in the small-overlap frontal-offset, moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact and roof-strength crash tests. The Pathfinder also received a "Good" rating for whiplash protection in rear impacts.

Performance Special Features

Safety Interior Design and Special Features Driving Impressions

A big part of the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder's appeal is its attractive cabin. High-quality materials give it a decidedly premium look, especially in the top Platinum trim level. The gauges and controls are easy to find and operate. We're especially fond of the 8-inch touchscreen: There's nothing particularly flashy about it, but it's very user-friendly and offers helpful redundant controls adjacent to the screen.

The Pathfinder's second-row seats are pleasantly spacious, and they slide and recline for a custom fit.

Both front- and second-row occupants will find their seats comfortable and supportive. The second-row seats can slide fore and aft and recline for greater comfort, and they'll slide forward even with a child's car seat in place, eliminating the need to remove the car seat in order to get people into the third row. When unoccupied, those seats also slide farther forward than those of most competitors. Unfortunately, once you're back there, third-row leg- and headroom trails that of many competitors. Only children or small adults are likely to be comfortable.

The 2016 Pathfinder also has just 16 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. With the second- and third-row seats folded flat, it offers a useful but comparatively modest 79.8 cubic feet. Most competitors offer more maximum space.

Safety Driving Impressions

Special Features Driving Impressions

As a suburban runabout, the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder gets the job done. The 3.5-liter V6 and CVT are responsive enough in most situations, and the gearless CVT's simulated upshifts take some of the monotonous droning out of maximum acceleration. It's still an unconventional experience, however, so we recommend a thorough test-drive to make sure you've got a feel for how the transmission operates.

The 2016 Pathfinder is a smooth and refined cruiser, though it feels less responsive around turns than some rivals.

On pavement, the Pathfinder's suspension does a good job soaking up bumps and road irregularities to create a smooth, stable ride. However, if you choose a Platinum model, which has 20-inch wheels, the ride is noticeably stiffer. Although the steering is light and precise, handling is not a strong suit for the Pathfinder, and it feels large from behind the wheel. If you value driver engagement, we'd suggest looking elsewhere, but we suspect most Pathfinder buyers won't view this as a significant weakness.

2017 Nissan Juke

Don't you miss the days when cars had so many different styles?  It's really a stretch now a days to identify the make and model when so many vehicles look the same.  Not so with the Juke from Nissan.  The Nissan engineers and designers must have had a great time putting this little compact crossover together.  Car and Driver said: “The Juke puts the fun in “Funky” making it perfect for those who want a spry and speedy little runabout that also stands out in traffic”. 

You and yours will get their drift when you take an up close and personal look at the Juke with the friendly folks at Fort Worth Nissan.  You will not have any problem finding it at the dealership as this Juke just stands out among its family of Nissan's. 

Owners will tell you that if you are searching for new friends, then try driving a Nissan Juke around your community.  People will start asking questions about your unusual looking crossover at stop lights, parking lots or wherever.  Kudo's go to Nissan for doing a great job creating some excitement with its Juke. 

This positive feeling doesn't only come from the Juke's unique looks as owners love what is under its sloping frog-eyed hood.  Nissan put a punchy turbocharged four cylinder that delivers 188 lively horses and 177 lb-ft of asphalt gripping torque.  If you desire more zip in your trip then also test drive the Juke Nismo RS.  It has 211 thoroughbreds and a unique fascia.  The RS also comes with a sportier suspension and smug sport seats that fit you like your favorite leather glove as you dive into those country curves.  This RS Juke also has available a six-speed manual for those who prefer to row their  own gears and owners say it is a blessing;  also for your enjoyment All-Wheel-Drive is available.  This AWD setup can supply half of readily available torque to the rear wheels as well as torque vectoring which means the Juke could send up to 50% of its power to one rear wheel in hard cornering or when getting stuck in the elements.  What makes this Juke even more a kick to drive is its three driving modes. 

 The Regular is good for driving to work.  The Sporting mode is just what the name implies and is where the fun starts as throttle feedback is sharpened, steering gets sensitive and the transmission will remain in higher revs.  You are now ready to explore those country roads!  Then the Eco mode is there for getting great gas mileage of over 30mpg on the highway.  So, if you want an energetic and speedy little runabout that also is a big time head-turner that actually refreshes your spirit in your drive-times, then do make the short drive to Fort Worth Nissan or visit them online at http://www.fortworthnissan.com today!

Be prepared for an enjoyable time.  Yes indeed, the Juke from Nissan is more than a pretty face with tongue in cheek.  The bet is on that you will leave with a smile, not only because you did bring the “fun factor” back into your time behind the wheel, but for the great deal you received.

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