Benson Nissan

For the 14th straight year, a version of Nissan’s acclaimed VQ engine series has been named to the 10 Best Engines list by Ward’s Automotive Group. The VQ is the only engine that has been included every year since the award began in 1995.

For 2008, Ward’s evaluated the VQ37VHR engine in the 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe. The G37 marks the first application of the new 3.7-liter V6 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift). Rated at 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, the new engine contains approximately 35% new and unique parts from the VQ35HR engine in Infiniti G35, which was included in Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2007. The VQ35HR is also used in 2008 350Z and Infiniti EX. Other versions of the 3.5-liter VQ are available in Altima, Maxima, Murano, and Quest, as well as Infiniti M35 and FX35.

This year, six editors from Ward’s Automotive Group scored 37 engines in a number of objective and subjective parameters. To qualify for the award, each engine must be available in a regular-production, U.S.-specification model on sale no later than the first quarter of 2008 in a vehicle priced no more than $54,000, a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

Ward's Automotive Group, a Southfield, Michigan-based division of Penton Media, has been a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data, and analysis for more than 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals globally. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data, and analysis Ward’s produces. Other Ward's titles include the twice-monthly newsletter Ward’s Engine & Vehicle Technology Update, the weekly newsletter Ward's Automotive Reports, monthly magazine Ward's Dealer Business, and a variety of reference annuals, online databases, and customized data reports.

Xterra is the best SUV in the $25,000–$34,999 price range, according to the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA).

Xterra was chosen as one of the seven category winners in the 2007 Northwest Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year Competition. The event — known as Mudfest — has been conducted for 14 years. Twenty automotive journalists from throughout the region drove and evaluated 28 different 2007 and 2008 model year SUVs during the two-day competition.

Sport utility vehicles are a mainstay of the Pacific Northwest automotive market, and journalists from this region are among the most knowledgeable critics of this segment. Mudfest is the most widely recognized event of its kind in North America. It allows member journalists to test the performance, handling, and braking, as well as the on-road and off-road demeanor, of each competing SUV.

Off-road testing includes hill-climbing and descent abilities, as well as ride comfort and low-range handling. Pavement tests include a slalom, curve handling, and emergency braking maneuvers. Journalists perform additional real-world tests over area roads and highways. Packaging, versatility, and overall value for money are evaluated through a comprehensive scoring procedure. The winners are then selected based on the scores earned from all the journalists in attendance.

The Ideal large, light-duty pickup.

Titan is the ideal large light-duty pickup, according to the automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific.

Titan was one of 25 segment winners in the firm’s 2007 Ideal Vehicle Awards. AutoPacific defines an “ideal vehicle” as an “excellent” or “perfect” example, or a vehicle that the owner would change the least, if given the opportunity. For the awards, owners rate their cars or trucks to determine how closely they come to meeting the ideal.

According to AutoPacific, Titan shines in three main areas:

• Power and acceleration
• Packaging-related items like passenger room, ease of getting in and out, and interior storage
• Size and appearance of wheels and tires

“In part, this can be explained by the fact that the Titan is available only with a large V8 engine and only in extended cab and crew cab configuration,” AutoPacific states. “This focus gives Titan a tightly defined product definition that Nissan designers and engineers deliver well.”

Nissan vehicles topped three market segments in the 2007 Motorist Choice Awards, issued by automotive research firms Intellichoice.com and AutoPacific:

• Maxima, Luxury Midsize
• Altima, Premium Midsize
• Murano, Premium Midsize Crossover SUV

The Motorist Choice Awards were designed by AutoPacific and IntelliChoice.com to recognize the vehicles that delivered both the highest customer satisfaction and the lowest cost of ownership. The awards take AutoPacific’s owner satisfaction data from new car and truck buyers and combine those data with IntelliChoice.com’s rating methodology.

Two Nissan vehicles ranked at the top of their class in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study. The APEAL study, now in its 12th year, “measures owner delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicle,” according to J.D. Power and Associates.

Altima led the midsize car segment, while Armada led the Large Multi-Activity Vehicle segment for the fourth consecutive year. Versa ranked third in the sub-compact car segment.

Overall, Nissan ranked above the industry average of 772 points. The Nissan Division was tied for 17th place and 4th among non-premium brands with 776 points, up one place and three points from last year.

J.D. Power and Associates designed the APEAL study to complement the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS), which focuses on problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days of ownership. The 2007 APEAL study, which measures how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive during the first 90 days of ownership, surveyed more than 91,000 purchasers and lessees of new 2007 model-year cars and trucks between February and May.

AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

Nissan vehicles won three categories in AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA). The study measures owner satisfaction with their new car or light truck.

Nissan winners are:

• Maxima — Luxury Midsize Car. According to AutoPacific, Maxima provides “high value, high feature, luxury transportation.” It received praise for Power/Acceleration, Passenger and Cargo Capacity, Instrument Layout/Ease of Use, and Wheel and Tire Size and Appearance.
• Altima — Premium Midsize Car. “Owners of the all-new Nissan Altima rated their vehicle significantly higher than the segment average for both Performance and Economy (most unusual), Passenger and Luggage Room, and Innovative Technology. Instrument Layout and Audio Controls were also well received.”
• Quest — Minivan. “Quest owners find their vehicles to be Fun-to-Drive (at least relative to the other vehicles in the segment), and they rate Power/Acceleration highly. Quest ratings for Entry and Exit are excellent. Showing that they were looking for something different, owners rate Image higher than other vehicles in the Minivan segment.”

Owner satisfaction is measured across 46 specific areas related to a vehicle’s operation, comfort, safety, and the overall purchase/lease experience. The 2007 ratings reflect input from buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired September through December 2006.

Total Quality Index

Nissan topped three segments in Strategic Vision’s 2007 Total Quality Index™ (TQI):

• Maxima — Medium Car
• Quest — Minivan (in a tie with Kia Sedona and Hyundai Entourage)
• Titan — Large Pickup

Strategic Vision asked more than 27,000 buyers who bought 2007 models in September, October, and November of 2006 to rate all aspects of the ownership experience, from buying and owning to driving. Strategic Vision has calculated TQI annually since 1995.