Nissan Cedric

Nissan Cedric: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Nissan Cedric choice depends on whether you value performance, drivetrain flexibility, simpler specifications, or an older body style. Across the data, the Cedric covers 10 generations from 1960 to 2004, with Sedan, Coupe, and Coupe Hardtop bodies.

The Nissan Cedric choice depends on whether you value performance, drivetrain flexibility, simpler specifications, or an older body style. Across the data, the Cedric covers 10 generations from 1960 to 2004, with Sedan, Coupe, and Coupe Hardtop bodies. The strongest recorded version is the 10th-generation 3.0 AT with 280 hp and 387 Nm, while the quickest recorded acceleration is also its 6.7-second run to 100 km/h. Buyers seeking AWD must look at selected 2.5 AT versions from the ninth and 10th generations; most other listed Cedrics are RWD. Fuel-consumption and mpg figures are not measured for every version, so they cannot support a buying decision here.

Nissan Cedric generations: what changed?

1st generation, 1960–1965: This Sedan generation has one version, the 1.9 MT. Its 1883 cc Gasoline engine produces 92 hp and 159 Nm, with a 4-speed Manual and RWD. This is the narrowest choice in the catalogue and the only generation represented by a single version.

2nd generation, 1965–1971: This Sedan has two versions, both named 2.3: 2.3 MT and 2.3 AT. Each uses a 2263 cc Gasoline inline 6-cylinder engine producing 123 hp. The choice is principally between the 4-speed Manual and 3-speed Automatic, as both are RWD.

3rd generation, 1971–1975: This Coupe generation offers 10 versions. Choices include 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT Gasoline versions, a larger 2.6 MT and 2.6 AT pair, and a 2.0 MT Diesel. Output ranges from 60 hp to 140 hp. This generation is the first listed here with a recorded top speed: depending on version, it ranges from 110 km/h to 180 km/h.

4th generation, 1975–1979: The Coupe Hardtop has two versions: 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT. Both use a 1998 cc Gasoline inline 4-cylinder engine with 115 hp and 166 Nm. The Manual has 5 speeds, while the Automatic has 3; both are RWD and have 185 mm of ground clearance.

5th generation, 1979–1983: This Sedan offers seven versions. The 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT Gasoline versions produce 147 hp from 2000 cc. Diesel alternatives include 2.0 AT, 2.0 MT, 2.2 MT, and two 2.2 AT entries, with 60 hp or 65 hp. Every listed version has RWD and 180 mm of ground clearance.

6th generation, 1983–1987: This Sedan has nine versions and introduces substantially more powerful turbo choices. The 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT turbo versions each produce 180 hp from 1988 cc, while the 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT turbo versions each deliver 230 hp and 333 Nm from 2960 cc. Naturally aspirated Gasoline and Diesel alternatives are also listed. All versions are RWD.

7th generation, 1987–1991: The Sedan generation contains 13 versions, with 12 shown in the supplied modification list. It combines LPG, Gasoline, and Diesel engines; Manual and Automatic gearboxes; and outputs from 85 hp to 210 hp. The 210 hp 2.0 AT is the recorded performance leader of this generation, reaching 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and 215 km/h.

8th generation, 1991–1995: This Sedan has six versions. The Gasoline range runs from the 125 hp 2.0 AT to a 255 hp turbo 3.0 AT, while two 2.8 AT Diesel versions produce 94 hp and 100 hp. Every version is RWD. The 255 hp 3.0 AT reaches 100 km/h in 8 seconds and has a top speed of 224 km/h.

9th generation, 1995–1999: This Sedan offers seven versions and the first listed AWD option: a 235 hp 2.5 AT. The generation also includes RWD Gasoline versions from 125 hp to 270 hp and a 100 hp 2.8 AT Diesel. The turbo 270 hp 3.0 AT is the quickest recorded ninth-generation version at 7.1 seconds to 100 km/h, and its 235 km/h maximum is the highest top speed in the entire supplied dataset.

10th generation, 1999–2004: The final Sedan generation has five versions, all with 4-speed Automatic transmissions. Its three 2.5 AT entries produce 210 hp, 250 hp, and 260 hp; the latter pair use AWD. Two RWD 3.0 AT versions produce 240 hp and 280 hp. The 280 hp turbo version combines the highest recorded output and torque with the quickest acceleration.

Nissan Cedric engine specs and version comparison

The table distinguishes repeated modification names by power. “Not measured” is used wherever the supplied data has no value.

Nissan Cedric performance, fuel consumption, and mpg

The 10th-generation 3.0 AT with 280 hp is the best choice for recorded acceleration: 0–100 km/h takes 6.7 seconds and top speed is 220 km/h. It is 0.4 seconds quicker than the ninth-generation 270 hp 3.0 AT, although the older car’s recorded top speed is 15 km/h higher at 235 km/h.

Among the 10th-generation 2.5 AT choices, the 210 hp RWD version reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. The 250 hp AWD version takes 8 seconds, while the 260 hp AWD version takes 7.8 seconds. The extra 10 hp and 5 Nm of the 260 hp version correspond to a 0.2-second improvement, with the same 200 km/h top speed.

The eighth-generation turbo 3.0 AT has 255 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 8 seconds, and tops out at 224 km/h. The naturally aspirated 200 hp 3.0 AT takes 9.4 seconds and reaches 213 km/h, so the turbo version adds 55 hp, cuts 1.4 seconds from acceleration, and adds 11 km/h.

The Diesel choices prioritize neither recorded acceleration nor top speed. The seventh-generation 94 hp 2.8 MT takes 14.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h, compared with 16.6 seconds for the corresponding 2.8 AT, while their top speeds are 167 km/h and 162 km/h. In the ninth generation, the 100 hp 2.8 AT requires 17.3 seconds and reaches 163 km/h.

City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for any version. Nissan Cedric mpg is therefore not measured, and no version can be declared the economy winner from these data.

Nissan Cedric dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank size

Overall length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured for any version, so Nissan Cedric dimensions and size comparisons cannot be made from this catalogue entry. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version.

Weight provides a useful comparison where values exist. The 10th-generation 210 hp, 250 hp, and 260 hp 2.5 AT versions each have a 1600 kg kerb weight and 1875 kg gross weight. Their weight-to-power figures are approximately 7.62, 6.40, and 6.15 kg per hp respectively. The two 3.0 AT versions weigh 1660 kg kerb and 1935 kg gross: approximately 6.92 kg per hp for the 240 hp version and 5.93 kg per hp for the 280 hp version.

The ninth-generation 125 hp 2.0 AT weighs 1480 kg, while the 160 hp and 220 hp 3.0 AT versions weigh 1530 kg. The 220 hp car consequently carries about 6.95 kg per hp, compared with 9.56 kg per hp for the 160 hp version.

Ground clearance falls from 185 mm in both fourth-generation versions and 180 mm across the fifth generation to 140 mm throughout the 10th generation. The ninth generation provides 150–155 mm, while the seventh generation spans 145–165 mm. Tank capacity is 65 litres in the third generation, 72 litres in the seventh and ninth generations, and 80 litres in the eighth and 10th generations. Tank capacity is not measured for the first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth generations.

Which Nissan Cedric version should you buy?

For maximum recorded performance, choose the 10th-generation 3.0 AT with 280 hp. Its 130.4 cc per hp—or about 94.6 hp per litre—gives it the best weight-to-power result among the 10th-generation cars with measured weight, at approximately 5.93 kg per hp. Its 387 Nm is also 63 Nm above the 260 hp 2.5 AT.

For AWD, the 10th-generation 2.5 AT with 260 hp is the strongest choice. Compared with the 250 hp 2.5 AT, it has 10 hp and 5 Nm more, accelerates 0.2 seconds faster, and carries the same 1600 kg kerb weight. The ninth-generation 235 hp 2.5 AT is the older AWD alternative, but it takes 9.2 seconds to reach 100 km/h, 1.4 seconds slower than the 260 hp car.

For strong performance without turbocharging, consider the 10th-generation 3.0 AT with 240 hp. It reaches 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and 220 km/h. The 210 hp 2.5 AT is also naturally aspirated, but it is 0.9 seconds slower and has 30 hp and 44 Nm less.

For a Manual gearbox, the sixth-generation 3.0 MT with 230 hp offers the highest output among the listed Manual versions. It has 333 Nm, a turbocharged 2960 cc Gasoline V-shaped 6-cylinder engine, 5 speeds, and RWD. Performance figures for this version are not measured.

For an older Coupe, the third-generation 2.6 MT is the strongest listed choice at 140 hp and 216 Nm. It reaches 180 km/h, 40 km/h above the 92 hp 2.0 MT and 70 km/h above the 60 hp Diesel 2.0 MT. For the Coupe Hardtop body, both fourth-generation versions make 115 hp and 166 Nm; choose the 2.0 MT for a 5-speed Manual or the 2.0 AT for a 3-speed Automatic.

For Diesel power, the available outputs are modest compared with the later Gasoline engines. The sixth-generation 2.8 MT has 100 hp and 185 Nm, the highest recorded Diesel torque in the data. Buyers wanting Diesel with an Automatic can choose the eighth- or ninth-generation 2.8 AT with 100 hp and 178 Nm. Fuel consumption is not measured, so a Diesel recommendation cannot be justified by mpg.

Reliability, problems, purchase prices, condition, engine-swap suitability, and cars for sale are not measured. Those factors may matter to a real purchase, but the supplied specifications support a clear shortlist: the 280 hp 3.0 AT for outright performance, the 260 hp 2.5 AT for AWD, the 240 hp 3.0 AT for naturally aspirated performance, and the 230 hp 3.0 MT for the strongest Manual configuration.