Best sales ever for Nissan 4x4s

Nissan sold more 4x4s in 2005 than in any other year in its 50 plus year history. 25,180 sales, compared to 21,292 in 2004, has led to a jump into the industry’s second place, with only Land Rover selling more. With a total of six four-wheel drives in the range, from a compact SUV right up to a Pick-up truck, there’s literally something for everyone. So it’s no wonder that sales have shot through the roof.

Most successful is the multi award-winning X-TRAIL, Nissan’s compact SUV. It’s priced from £16,500 to £24,600 and offers a choice of four equipment levels and three engines. For the larger family, there’s the Pathfinder SUV with a starting price of £24,500. Both employ Nissan’s ALL MODE 4x4 system and are available with both petrol and diesel engines.

Then there’s the Navara pick-up with a choice of King and Double Cabs. It’s the most powerful vehicle in its class with 174PS and since it went on sale in August 2005 has out-sold every other pick-up in the same 4 month period. Ex-VAT prices start from £14,895.

If real mud-plugging is your game the Patrol is the one for you. It was the first 4x4 to be sold by Nissan over 50 years ago and the current incarnation is the most capable and comfortable yet. Rather more compact but almost as capable on the rough stuff is the venerable Terrano which is available in three-door or Van forms priced from £14,295 ex-VAT.

And last, but by no means least, there’s the crossover Murano. It looks unlike anything else on the road and with more equipment than you can throw a stick at, the £29,995 price tag makes it amazingly good value.

Nissan was recently voted 2006 4x4 Maker of the Year by 4x4 & MPV Driver magazine.