A guide to Nissan cars in Australia

Nissan is a vehicle manufacturer with a well-earned reputation for reliability. But while almost any Aussie knows the name, how well do you know the cars? In this article, Canstar Blue introduces you to the full Nissan Australia range of commercial cars. We look at what’s included and how much you can expect these vehicles to cost.

Nissan Pulsar sedan

Nissans Pulsar sedans are a popular sight on our roads, and it’s easy to see why. This versatile car is spacious and combines technology, design and fuel economy in a way that Nissan claims is unprecedented. There are three Nissan Pulsar sedan models – the ST, ST-L and SSS.

The Nissan Pulsar ST is the most basic model of the three, yet it’s still loaded with all the features we’ve come to expect from modern vehicles, plus more. It includes:

• 96kW 4 cylinder engine
• 16″ Alloy Wheels
• Bluetooth Handsfree Phone System
• Front, Side & Curtain Airbags
• Cruise Control

The Nissan Pulsar sedan ST-L adds even more, such as:

• Satellite Navigation with Eco Route function
• 8″ colour display audio
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• Rear view monitor with distance guidance lines
• Leather accented steering wheel and shift knob

The Nissan Pulsar SSS takes it further, with a powerful turbo engine and even more luxury features.

• 6L Turbo 140kW Petrol Engine
• 17” Sports Alloy Wheels
• Leather accented seat trim
• Front, side and rear lower sporty body skirts
• Intelligent Key and Push Button Start/Stop function

Nissan Pulsar sedan price:

The price tag on a new Nissan Pulsar ST sedan starts at a little over $20,000. The Pulsar ST-L is only slightly more expensive – around $2,000 to $5,000 more. The Pulsar SSS is also fairly reasonable in price given its luxury style. Prices for this car start around $30,000.

Nissan Pulsar hatch

The Nissan Pulsar Hatch is fundamentally similar to the sedan and is a great car for city and suburban driving. Again there are three models – the ST, ST-L and SSS. Here are their main features:

Nissan Pulsar Hatch price:

The Pulsar hatch models are slightly more expensive than their sedan equivalent. Prices for the Pulsar ST hatch start at around $25,000, while the ST-L is about $1,000 more. The Pulsar SSS costs in the vicinity of $32,000.

Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima range is a line of luxury sedans, without the hefty price tag. These vehicles include a number of useful features and have powerful engines which don’t compromise on fuel economy, according to Nissan. Once again, there are four Nissan Altima vehicles, ranging in price, performance and features to suit a variety of needs. They are, the Nissan Altima ST, ST-L, Ti and Ti-S. The Altima ST is the most basic model and includes:

• 5L Petrol engine
• Intelligent Key & Push Button Start
• Advanced Drive Assist Display
• Dual Zone climate control
• 16″ Alloy Wheels

The ST-L is an upgrade on the ST, while the Ti and Ti-S cars add even more with extra features, improved design and a more powerful engine.

Nissan Altima prices:

The Nissan Altima is one of the more affordable sedans of comparable quality. Prices start around the low $30k mark for the Altima ST. Upgrading to the ST-L is about $5,000 to $7,000 more. Those interested in the Ti models should be prepared to spend between $44,000 and $50,000.

Nissan Juke

The Nissan Juke is a small, yet surprisingly spacious SUV. It is tough enough to handle off-road, yet nimble enough to easily navigate the city and suburbs. Once again, there are three models in the Nissan Juke line up. They are, the Nissan Juke ST, TI-S and N-Sport.

Nissan Juke price:

Nissan Juke vehicles are fairly low price compared to other SUVs on the market. The Nissan website lists the price of the Juke ST as driveway from around $26,000 to $28,000 (depending on transmission type). The Ti-S models, including the N-Sport, cost about $6-$10k more

Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai (pronounced cash-kai), is apparently Nissan’s best small SUV. Similar to the Nissan Juke, this is a great vehicle for families in need of extra space, or those who want a versatile vehicle that’s suitable for a variety of terrain. It has all of Nissan’s popular features, as well as a panoramic sunroof, intelligent park assist and the choice of a powerful 2.0L or 1.6L diesel engine.

The Nissan Qashqai range is made of the Qashqai ST, Ti, TS and TL. The basic Qashqai ST comes with:

• 2.0L Petrol Engine
• NissanConnect™ smartphone integration
• Reversing Camera
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Electronic Park Brake

The Ti model adds features to improve its city ‘driveability’, while the TL is probably better designed for off-roading.

Nissan Qashqai price:

The standard Nissan Qashqai ST will generally cost just shy of $30,000. Those interested in the Ti or TS models will be looking at a price around $37,000 to $40,000, while anyone wanting to buy the TL should be prepared to spend a little over $40,000.

Nissan X-Trail

Nissan markets its iconic X-Trail SUV as ‘family-proof’. It has a spacious interior, drive assist display, a large boot fitted with Nissans Divide-N-Hide cargo system and practically every safety feature you can think of – all without compromising its 4WD capabilities. There are four models of X-Trail with most giving customers the option of petrol or diesel, 2WD or 4WD and 5 seats or 7 seats.

The standard ST model includes:

• Rear View Camera
• Intelligent Key with Push Button Start
• Configurable Divide-N-Hide™ cargo system
• NissanConnect smartphone integration
• 17″ Alloy Wheels

Nissan X-Trail price:

Prices for a 2WD petrol Nissan ST start a little over $30,000. ST-L and TS model prices are notably higher, beginning around $40,000. The TL model is most expensive, with the 2WD version pricing around $50,000 on the Nissan website.

Customers who opt for 4WD over 2WD will generally have to pay an extra $4,000 to $10,000 on top of the mentioned prices, depending on the model.

Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is arguably one of the manufacturer’s most iconic vehicles. This family SUV has seven seats, and comes with Nissan’s tri-zone automatic climate control and EZ Flex seating system across the range, making it easier than ever to move your family.

Of course, it wouldn’t be much of a family car if it fell short on safety. The Nissan Pathfinder comes standard with tyre pressure monitoring system, reverse parking camera with predictive path technology, reversing sensors, and traction control system. Select models also have blind spot warning lights and hill descent control.

The three models of Pathfinder are the ST, ST-L and Ti. Customers can choose either 2WD or 4WD as well as standard petrol or hybrid.

Nissan Pathfinder price:

Prices for the Nissan Pathfinder start around $45,000 for the Pathfinder ST 2WD. The Pathfinder ST-L 2WD is noticeably more expensive – close to $60k. The most expensive is the Ti range, starting around $65,000 to $67,000. Customers who opt for 4WD will have to spend about $3,000 to $5,000 on top of the mentioned prices. Hybrid versions of these cars will cost $3,000 in addition to the standard price.

Nissan Patrol Y61

The Nissan Patrol is one of the toughest vehicles the manufacturer has to offer. In fact, the Nissan Patrol was the first vehicle to ever successfully drive through the Simpson Desert in 1962. Over 50 years on, and the modern Patrol vehicles still uphold their reputation for power and reliability.

There are two models of Nissan Patrol – the DX WW and ST. Both models have a 3.2 tonne braked towing capacity and a 3.0L turbo diesel engine. The Nissan Patrol ST can also serve as a people-mover, with its seven-seat versatility.

The Nissan Patrol Y61 also has a host of Nissan genuine optional extras:

• Steel bull bar
• Roof rack
• Electric winch
• Satellite navigation & reversing camera
• Snorkel
• Tow bar
• Legend Edition decal
• Legend Edition soft wheel cover

Nissan Patrol Y61 price:

Tough vehicles don’t often come cheap. The Nissan Patrol Y61 costs around $60,000.

Nissan Navara

The Nissan Navara is said to be one of Australia’s most trusted workhorses. It comes with an optional single or twin turbo engine, 3.5 tonne braked towing capacity and four-wheel drive. But the Nissan Navara has a soft-side too. It’s packed with features for safety and comfort, including Vehicle dynamic control, brake assist, traction control systems, seven air bags and ‘fatigue-reducing comfort seats’.

There are five standard models of Nissan Navara – the DX, RX, ST, SL, ST-X.  Each of these models comes with a whole new sub-strata of options, with a range of engine capacities, tray types and cab sizes to suit anyone’s needs.

Additional features you might find on select models include:

• Remoteless Keyless Entry
• LED Headlights with Signature Daytime Running Lights
• Reversing Camera
• Satellite Navigation
• 2 Channel Utili-Track System
• Tubliner

Nissan Navara price:

It’s difficult to provide an accurate price for the Nissan Navara, as it varies widely depending on the model, tray type, engine, cab size and other optionals. Prices for a new Nissan Navara start as low as around $30,000, but reach nearly $60,000 for some utes. Naturally, the more expensive utes will have a twin cab, pickup tray, 4WD and twin turbo engine.

What else does Nissan offer?

Nissan’s range in Australia includes vehicles that are either upcoming, or are only available through special demand import. They include: The Nissan leaf, Nissan 370Z Coupe, Nissan 370Z Roadster and Nissan GT-R.

Nissan Leaf: This is Nissan’s first electric car. It also includes a solar panel on its spoiler to power the interior accessories, as well as a phone monitoring app that lets you control many of your car’s features. Nissan says its Leaf electric vehicle is not yet offered in Australia, but it is one of the cheapest electric cars on the overseas market – costing a little under $20,000.

Nissan 370Z Coupe and Roadster: These are Nissan’s performance vehicles with prices starting at $60,000. Both come with a staggering 3.7 Ltr 6 cylinder VQ Engine, as well as SynchroRev Match Transmission for a smoother drive. The only noticeable difference between these cars is that the Roadster has a retractable roof and is around $10,000 more expensive than the Coupe.

Nissan GT-R: This is a hand-built vehicle and is easily Nissan’s most powerful. It includes a twin turbo V6 engine, titanium exhaust, 6-speed sequential dual-clutch transmission, high performance all-wheel drive system and Brembo disk brakes. The Nissan website gives no indication as to price, but needless to say, it probably won’t come cheap.

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.

Car Reviews & Ratings