Nissan Elgrand 2.5 Highway Star (A) Facelift Review
14 May 2012|29,426 views
At the mere mention of 'M-P-V', images of a square box on wheels should pop into your mind. Not that it's something wrong, as MPVs do generally have such a shape.
(Doesn't matter how much you try to add on body styling kits, it will still remain the same.)
Here's one interesting fact about the MPV segment though. Within it, you can find other sub categories; obvious ones are the usual mid-size (read: Toyota Wish and Honda Stream) and large MPVs (Toyota ia/Estima and Mazda 8).
Then there's the mega-do-it-all MPV - the sort which primary job is simply to ferry busy executives from the airport to office, from one meeting to the other. This is the exact category where the Toyota Alphard, Vellfire and Nissan Elgrand fall under. They're big inside and out, with amenities that turns it into a mobile office when required.
The Elgrand isn't a newly introduced model, but recently, local Nissan dealer quietly unveiled an updated Elgrand. Key difference now is the positioning of this updated version: if previously it's targeted at fleet buyers for the MICE industry, this time around they are hoping to garner more interest from executives who need an MPV that looks professional enough for daily use, BUT at the same time, practical for family needs outside of official work hours.
Exterior
Like all things, there are rules of design. But like all rules, they are there to be broken. It's how they're broken, that's the crucial bit. The Elgrand is bigger, taller and less aerodynamic than other large MPVs available in the market; but it has presence by the truckload, like money on wheels...
(Doesn't matter how much you try to add on body styling kits, it will still remain the same.)
Here's one interesting fact about the MPV segment though. Within it, you can find other sub categories; obvious ones are the usual mid-size (read: Toyota Wish and Honda Stream) and large MPVs (Toyota ia/Estima and Mazda 8).
Then there's the mega-do-it-all MPV - the sort which primary job is simply to ferry busy executives from the airport to office, from one meeting to the other. This is the exact category where the Toyota Alphard, Vellfire and Nissan Elgrand fall under. They're big inside and out, with amenities that turns it into a mobile office when required.
The Elgrand isn't a newly introduced model, but recently, local Nissan dealer quietly unveiled an updated Elgrand. Key difference now is the positioning of this updated version: if previously it's targeted at fleet buyers for the MICE industry, this time around they are hoping to garner more interest from executives who need an MPV that looks professional enough for daily use, BUT at the same time, practical for family needs outside of official work hours.
Exterior
Like all things, there are rules of design. But like all rules, they are there to be broken. It's how they're broken, that's the crucial bit. The Elgrand is bigger, taller and less aerodynamic than other large MPVs available in the market; but it has presence by the truckload, like money on wheels...
 |
That said, Nissan was smart enough not to go overboard with this updated version.
Upfront, it gets a new set of stylish headlamps, with a separate housing for both the indicators and parking light. It still retains the must-have-lots-of-chrome grill as before, although this time around, there is more style than the one-piece rectangular type seen previously. Even the reworked front bumper made the Elgrand more contemporary.
Headlamps and bumper have been tweaked for style  |
Viewed from the side, the Elgrand (surprisingly) looks well proportioned - from the front all the way to its rear. Those 18-inch alloys, wrapped in 225/55 R-18 Yokohama dB tyres, fills the wheel arches nicely.
Interior
The Elgrand's cabin looks opulent. There's proper wood to go with the proper leather (seats are wrapped in both cloth and leather), big glass areas, masses of head and legroom, a big boot and those pair of electric sliding doors. The general design of the dash is clean, with each and every control button positioned in an idiot-proof manner. Here's an interesting fact though: the quality in here is so good; you might mistake it for an Infiniti.
Quality of the cabin is top notch and is a nice place to be in
If you're regularly transporting adults in the back, this is definitely the one.
Interior
The Elgrand's cabin looks opulent. There's proper wood to go with the proper leather (seats are wrapped in both cloth and leather), big glass areas, masses of head and legroom, a big boot and those pair of electric sliding doors. The general design of the dash is clean, with each and every control button positioned in an idiot-proof manner. Here's an interesting fact though: the quality in here is so good; you might mistake it for an Infiniti.
Quality of the cabin is top notch and is a nice place to be in If you're regularly transporting adults in the back, this is definitely the one.
While the seats may not be the last word in sporty lateral support, they're all supremely comfortable - yup, all three rows. Even more comfortable is the front passenger, who gets an Ottoman chair that's perfect for those quick snoozes as you jump from one meeting to the other.
If you're relegated to the driver's seat however, you'll definitely appreciate how the steering wheel is nicely sized, as is the gear stick, which gives a nice feel when your palm is holding it. Once you've twiddled the multiple adjustments, the driving position is simply excellent.
Not so excellent, however, is the fact that there isn't cruise control and steering-mounted paddle-shifters. It might not be a given, true, but for a car with such a price tag, those two simple items should be standard fitment.
If you're relegated to the driver's seat however, you'll definitely appreciate how the steering wheel is nicely sized, as is the gear stick, which gives a nice feel when your palm is holding it. Once you've twiddled the multiple adjustments, the driving position is simply excellent.
Not so excellent, however, is the fact that there isn't cruise control and steering-mounted paddle-shifters. It might not be a given, true, but for a car with such a price tag, those two simple items should be standard fitment.
 |
The Drive
In this 170bhp form, the 2.5-litre engine feels more willing than expected despite having two cylinders less than its predecessor (previous Elgrand had a 2.5-litre V6 powerplant). In fact, 'refined' is the keyword in describing the car's overall performance demeanour.
The squared-off shape of the Elgrand compromises its ability to slip through the air, and at close to two-tonnes, it's acceleration manner is more respectable than remarkable, and braking distance more to be expected than marvelled at. But it can still see off lesser machines with an assured dignity.
Sure, the six-speed CVT box is not build for mind-numbing performance, but the shifts are smooth and calibrated well enough that you don't notice the absence of a seventh ratio.Although it can go through a corner at more speed than you might have expected, somehow such acts seem, well, inappropriate.
Long, sweeping curves are taken with gusto, but tighter corners are best tackled tamely. It's best to let the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension cushion you than banking through a bend.
A twirl of the helm hints that steering feedback was perhaps not high on the list of priorities for the engineers, but the Elgrand has a surprisingly tight turning circle - great for manoeuvrability.
In this 170bhp form, the 2.5-litre engine feels more willing than expected despite having two cylinders less than its predecessor (previous Elgrand had a 2.5-litre V6 powerplant). In fact, 'refined' is the keyword in describing the car's overall performance demeanour.
The squared-off shape of the Elgrand compromises its ability to slip through the air, and at close to two-tonnes, it's acceleration manner is more respectable than remarkable, and braking distance more to be expected than marvelled at. But it can still see off lesser machines with an assured dignity.
Sure, the six-speed CVT box is not build for mind-numbing performance, but the shifts are smooth and calibrated well enough that you don't notice the absence of a seventh ratio.Although it can go through a corner at more speed than you might have expected, somehow such acts seem, well, inappropriate.
Long, sweeping curves are taken with gusto, but tighter corners are best tackled tamely. It's best to let the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension cushion you than banking through a bend.
A twirl of the helm hints that steering feedback was perhaps not high on the list of priorities for the engineers, but the Elgrand has a surprisingly tight turning circle - great for manoeuvrability.
Unlike its predecessor, the Elgrand lost two cylinders underneath Conclusion
While the Elgrand is considered a niche in our small market, its latest update does have a wide appeal to make up for it. There's that contemporary exterior, and simple but stylish interior - plus with such a shape, it's so easy for it to stand out from the rest of the MPV crowd.
One thing's for sure though: it's not b-o-r-i-n-g.
At the mere mention of 'M-P-V', images of a square box on wheels should pop into your mind. Not that it's something wrong, as MPVs do generally have such a shape.
(Doesn't matter how much you try to add on body styling kits, it will still remain the same.)
Here's one interesting fact about the MPV segment though. Within it, you can find other sub categories; obvious ones are the usual mid-size (read: Toyota Wish and Honda Stream) and large MPVs (Toyota ia/Estima and Mazda 8).
Then there's the mega-do-it-all MPV - the sort which primary job is simply to ferry busy executives from the airport to office, from one meeting to the other. This is the exact category where the Toyota Alphard, Vellfire and Nissan Elgrand fall under. They're big inside and out, with amenities that turns it into a mobile office when required.
The Elgrand isn't a newly introduced model, but recently, local Nissan dealer quietly unveiled an updated Elgrand. Key difference now is the positioning of this updated version: if previously it's targeted at fleet buyers for the MICE industry, this time around they are hoping to garner more interest from executives who need an MPV that looks professional enough for daily use, BUT at the same time, practical for family needs outside of official work hours.
Exterior
Like all things, there are rules of design. But like all rules, they are there to be broken. It's how they're broken, that's the crucial bit. The Elgrand is bigger, taller and less aerodynamic than other large MPVs available in the market; but it has presence by the truckload, like money on wheels...
(Doesn't matter how much you try to add on body styling kits, it will still remain the same.)
Here's one interesting fact about the MPV segment though. Within it, you can find other sub categories; obvious ones are the usual mid-size (read: Toyota Wish and Honda Stream) and large MPVs (Toyota ia/Estima and Mazda 8).
Then there's the mega-do-it-all MPV - the sort which primary job is simply to ferry busy executives from the airport to office, from one meeting to the other. This is the exact category where the Toyota Alphard, Vellfire and Nissan Elgrand fall under. They're big inside and out, with amenities that turns it into a mobile office when required.
The Elgrand isn't a newly introduced model, but recently, local Nissan dealer quietly unveiled an updated Elgrand. Key difference now is the positioning of this updated version: if previously it's targeted at fleet buyers for the MICE industry, this time around they are hoping to garner more interest from executives who need an MPV that looks professional enough for daily use, BUT at the same time, practical for family needs outside of official work hours.
Exterior
Like all things, there are rules of design. But like all rules, they are there to be broken. It's how they're broken, that's the crucial bit. The Elgrand is bigger, taller and less aerodynamic than other large MPVs available in the market; but it has presence by the truckload, like money on wheels...
|
That said, Nissan was smart enough not to go overboard with this updated version.
Upfront, it gets a new set of stylish headlamps, with a separate housing for both the indicators and parking light. It still retains the must-have-lots-of-chrome grill as before, although this time around, there is more style than the one-piece rectangular type seen previously. Even the reworked front bumper made the Elgrand more contemporary.
Headlamps and bumper have been tweaked for style |
Viewed from the side, the Elgrand (surprisingly) looks well proportioned - from the front all the way to its rear. Those 18-inch alloys, wrapped in 225/55 R-18 Yokohama dB tyres, fills the wheel arches nicely.
Interior
The Elgrand's cabin looks opulent. There's proper wood to go with the proper leather (seats are wrapped in both cloth and leather), big glass areas, masses of head and legroom, a big boot and those pair of electric sliding doors. The general design of the dash is clean, with each and every control button positioned in an idiot-proof manner. Here's an interesting fact though: the quality in here is so good; you might mistake it for an Infiniti.
Quality of the cabin is top notch and is a nice place to be in
If you're regularly transporting adults in the back, this is definitely the one.
Interior
The Elgrand's cabin looks opulent. There's proper wood to go with the proper leather (seats are wrapped in both cloth and leather), big glass areas, masses of head and legroom, a big boot and those pair of electric sliding doors. The general design of the dash is clean, with each and every control button positioned in an idiot-proof manner. Here's an interesting fact though: the quality in here is so good; you might mistake it for an Infiniti.
Quality of the cabin is top notch and is a nice place to be in If you're regularly transporting adults in the back, this is definitely the one.
While the seats may not be the last word in sporty lateral support, they're all supremely comfortable - yup, all three rows. Even more comfortable is the front passenger, who gets an Ottoman chair that's perfect for those quick snoozes as you jump from one meeting to the other.
If you're relegated to the driver's seat however, you'll definitely appreciate how the steering wheel is nicely sized, as is the gear stick, which gives a nice feel when your palm is holding it. Once you've twiddled the multiple adjustments, the driving position is simply excellent.
Not so excellent, however, is the fact that there isn't cruise control and steering-mounted paddle-shifters. It might not be a given, true, but for a car with such a price tag, those two simple items should be standard fitment.
If you're relegated to the driver's seat however, you'll definitely appreciate how the steering wheel is nicely sized, as is the gear stick, which gives a nice feel when your palm is holding it. Once you've twiddled the multiple adjustments, the driving position is simply excellent.
Not so excellent, however, is the fact that there isn't cruise control and steering-mounted paddle-shifters. It might not be a given, true, but for a car with such a price tag, those two simple items should be standard fitment.
|
The Drive
In this 170bhp form, the 2.5-litre engine feels more willing than expected despite having two cylinders less than its predecessor (previous Elgrand had a 2.5-litre V6 powerplant). In fact, 'refined' is the keyword in describing the car's overall performance demeanour.
The squared-off shape of the Elgrand compromises its ability to slip through the air, and at close to two-tonnes, it's acceleration manner is more respectable than remarkable, and braking distance more to be expected than marvelled at. But it can still see off lesser machines with an assured dignity.
Sure, the six-speed CVT box is not build for mind-numbing performance, but the shifts are smooth and calibrated well enough that you don't notice the absence of a seventh ratio.Although it can go through a corner at more speed than you might have expected, somehow such acts seem, well, inappropriate.
Long, sweeping curves are taken with gusto, but tighter corners are best tackled tamely. It's best to let the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension cushion you than banking through a bend.
A twirl of the helm hints that steering feedback was perhaps not high on the list of priorities for the engineers, but the Elgrand has a surprisingly tight turning circle - great for manoeuvrability.
In this 170bhp form, the 2.5-litre engine feels more willing than expected despite having two cylinders less than its predecessor (previous Elgrand had a 2.5-litre V6 powerplant). In fact, 'refined' is the keyword in describing the car's overall performance demeanour.
The squared-off shape of the Elgrand compromises its ability to slip through the air, and at close to two-tonnes, it's acceleration manner is more respectable than remarkable, and braking distance more to be expected than marvelled at. But it can still see off lesser machines with an assured dignity.
Sure, the six-speed CVT box is not build for mind-numbing performance, but the shifts are smooth and calibrated well enough that you don't notice the absence of a seventh ratio.Although it can go through a corner at more speed than you might have expected, somehow such acts seem, well, inappropriate.
Long, sweeping curves are taken with gusto, but tighter corners are best tackled tamely. It's best to let the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension cushion you than banking through a bend.
A twirl of the helm hints that steering feedback was perhaps not high on the list of priorities for the engineers, but the Elgrand has a surprisingly tight turning circle - great for manoeuvrability.
Unlike its predecessor, the Elgrand lost two cylinders underneath Conclusion
While the Elgrand is considered a niche in our small market, its latest update does have a wide appeal to make up for it. There's that contemporary exterior, and simple but stylish interior - plus with such a shape, it's so easy for it to stand out from the rest of the MPV crowd.
One thing's for sure though: it's not b-o-r-i-n-g.
Photos by Azfar Hashim
Car Information
Nissan Elgrand 2.5 Highway Star (A)
CAT B|Petrol|10.3km/L
Horsepower
127kW (170 bhp)
Torque
245 Nm
Acceleration
-
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Nissan Elgrand
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