The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder enters its 25th year on the market with a new special-edition trim. This 7-passenger midsize SUV uses traditional truck-type body-on-frame construction. S, SV (formerly SE), luxury-oriented LE, and special Silver Edition trims are available. All have a 266-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine. Also offered is the LE V8 with a 310-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 engine.
The 2011 Nissan Rogue gets freshened styling and a slightly revised model roster. This compact SUV from the Japanese automaker shares elements of its basic design with the Nissan Sentra compact sedan. Rogue seats 5. Base S and sporty S Krom trims return, but the former SL has been replaced by the SV.
The 2011 Xterra is a carryover from 2010. This off-road-themed midsize SUV is smaller and less costly than Nissan’s Pathfinder. Xterra seats 5 versus Pathfinder’s 7. X, S, Off-Road, and SE trim levels are offered. All have a 261-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on X and Off-Road. A 5-speed automatic is optional on those models and standard on S and SE. Maximum towing capacity is 5,000 pounds. X, S, and SE offer rear-wheel drive or part-time 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement.
The 2011 Nissan GT-R lineup shrinks and all models gets a slightly revised suspension. Note a freshened version of this sports car is due in calendar 2011 as a 2012 model. Long known as the Skyline GT-R in Japan, the GT-R is Nissan’s flagship performance car.
The 2012 Nissan Juke should see no major changes after the vehicle’s debut as a 2011 model. Juke is a subcompact 4-door hatchback with seating for 5 and styling that blends sports-car and compact-SUV elements. For 2011, it comes in three trim levels: base S, mid-level SV, and top-line SL. Each is offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The sole engine is a 188-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. All Jukes offer a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves like an automatic. The front-drive SV and SL can be equipped with a 6-speed manual.
Josefina Nunez
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