Nissan used to make sedans.
For decades it has been a market leader in the segment, from the early Skyline models and the three-box versions of the Pulsar to the Maxima and Altima – the Japanese car brand has tradition on its side when it comes to the traditional three-box body style.
But could we see a new sedan model from Nissan soon? According to company management, the door is open and will not be like anything that came before.
The model in question is this Nissan N7an all-electric large sedan with state-of-the-art technology, striking design and strong specifications.
It’s a product of the partnership between Nissan and Dongfeng in China and we recently got to drive it in Japan.
Note: This review contains primarily marketing images as access to images from the first ride was limited.
How much does the Nissan N7 cost?
It’s worth noting that this new electric sedan isn’t confirmed for Australia, but it could certainly help Nissan Australia avoid penalties under the federal government’s NVES emissions regulations.
However, the reality for this car is that it is larger than a Tesla Model 3 and may have a higher price tag than the popular electric sedan, which starts at $54,900 plus on-road costs.
However, we’ve seen a very similar approach from Mazda with the new Mazda 6e, an electric sedan sourced from Deepal, albeit heavily redesigned, but priced at just $49,990 plus on-roads and offering a huge WLTP-rated electric range of 560km.
If Mazda can do it, why can’t Nissan?
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What does the Nissan N7 look like inside?
Unlike the vehicle featured in this test, our test car in Japan featured a beautiful two-tone gray and charcoal interior, highlighted by some subtle orange accents on the front seats.
It made quite an impression on me, with a simple design that’s not as minimalist as a Model 3 and a range of smart cabin features that make it feel special.
The door panels with their ribbed trimmings, the soft and subtle materials on the dashboard, doors and seats as well as the chic and overall high-quality appearance left a pretty good impression.
And these seats are equipped with the brand’s first-generation AI technology, which can adjust the base and backrest to ensure the ideal position for your body shape and size, and uses integrated airbags to precisely fit your skeleton. Apparently.
In any case, it’s a very comfortable place to be, and the clever storage solution you’d expect is there – adjustable cupholders, a large covered storage bin in the center console, large door pockets and a bridge between the front seats with a wireless phone charger and a lower shelf for additional storage. It’s neat.
I didn’t have time to familiarize myself with the media screen other than adjusting the fan speed and temperature, but it contained the expected array of icons, menus, and a fixed panel at the bottom for commonly used functions. No physical checks? This could be a problem for some.
There’s plenty of space in the back for someone my size to sit behind another tall adult, and a flat floor to optimize cabin width for three-person activities. Headroom is also decent for a swoopy sedan.
The seat is also very comfortable and has all the expected amenities such as storage pockets, cup and bottle holders, directional vents and USB-C charging options.
The N7 is a large sedan and also has a fairly large trunk. Figures from Dongfeng claim a seating volume of 484 liters – just 4 liters less than the old Altima petrol sedan of yesterday.
| Dimensions | Nissan N7 |
|---|---|
| length | 4930mm |
| Width | 2915mm |
| Height | 1895mm |
| wheelbase | 1487mm |
| Loading capacity | 484L |
What’s under the hood?
The version we tested in Japan was the high-spec 625 Max, which offers more power than some of the cheaper variants, as well as more standard features and a larger battery with more range.
| Specifications | Nissan N7 |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single engine electric |
| battery | 73 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) |
| Performance | 200kW |
| Torque | 305 Nm |
| Drive type | Front wheel drive |
| Energy Consumption (claimed) – CLTC | 12.4-13.4 kWh/100 km |
| Stressed area – CLTC | 625km |
| DC charging time | 30-80 percent in 14 minutes |
According to the Chinese test cycle, there are some pretty impressive efficiency figures for this electric vehicle, with claimed figures between 12.4 and 13.4 kWh/100 km (CLTC), making it extremely efficient – not least thanks to its excellent drag coefficient of 0.208 Cd.
How does the Nissan N7 drive?
To be honest, I didn’t expect to really like the N7.
But I did it. After driving around the Grandrive facility outside Tokyo for a few minutes, I realized that it felt more like a Tesla Model S competitor than a Model 3 competitor.
This is mainly due to its size, but also the way it feels on the road.
The suspension exudes confident confidence, the steering is precise with impressive weight and responsiveness, and despite being front-wheel drive, the power management seemed impressive.
Power isn’t plentiful, but don’t get me wrong, responses were still urgent but more measured than some other electric vehicles – at least based on my brief time behind the wheel.
There are also various driving modes and recuperation braking modes available, although I spent most of my time in Normal mode with recuperation set to default.
Was it a breathtaking ride? Absolutely not.
But have any Nissan sedans been exciting lately? No. So it fits perfectly into the brand’s portfolio.
What do you get?
There are six versions of the N7 in China, but the version we tested was a high-spec variant with all the benefits.
Australian specifications are not yet confirmed, but here are some of the highlights of the model I tested in Japan:
- LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights in “7” shape
- 19 inch wheels
- Fixed glass roof (not a panoramic glass roof) with electric shading
- 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 10.25-inch instrument cluster on the driver’s side
- Stereo system with 12 speakers
- Interior ambient lighting in 256 colors
- Leather and suede seat covers
- Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats
- Electric seat adjustment
- Driver seat memory settings
- AI seating technology that can automatically adapt to different body types
- Leather steering wheel cover
- Air conditioning
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P software processor
- Over-the-air software updates
These are just some of the innovations in the current model’s flagship.
Is the Nissan N7 safe?
The Nissan N7 features numerous safety technologies co-developed with Momenta, considered by some to be a leader in autonomous driving technology in the Chinese market.
There are Level 2 autonomy features including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with ProPilot technology to assist the driver on the highway (including lane keeping, distance management, cruise control, steering and more).
There’s also an excellent all-round camera system and also offers semi-autonomous parking.
How much does the Nissan N7 cost to run?
Nissan’s current after-sales promise to potential customers is strong.
In Australia, there’s a standard five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, but owners who work with the company can have their warranty extended to 10 years or 300,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.
Nissan is expected to offer a market-standard battery warranty – at least eight years and 160,000 km, with a 70 or 75 percent health guarantee.
Looking at Nissan’s only electric SUV currently available in our market, the mid-size Ariya electric SUV, one might assume that servicing could be required every 12 months and every 20,000 km.
Customers who service their cars with the brand are now offered roadside assistance for up to 10 years or 300,000 km.
CarExperts opinion on the Nissan N7
Frankly, the N7 is a promising product to bring to market if Nissan Australia gets the price and specs right.
My advice to the company? Look at Mazda and do what he did!
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