Nissan Presage: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Nissan Presage choice comes down to generation, engine, transmission and drive system. The first generation, produced from June 1998 to June 2003, offers 2.4 AT, 2.5 AT and 3.0 AT versions, including Gasoline and Diesel engines. The second generation, produced from June 2003 to July 2009, narrows the range to 2.5 AT and 3.5 CVT, both using Gasoline.
The Nissan Presage choice comes down to generation, engine, transmission and drive system. The first generation, produced from June 1998 to June 2003, offers 2.4 AT, 2.5 AT and 3.0 AT versions, including Gasoline and Diesel engines. The second generation, produced from June 2003 to July 2009, narrows the range to 2.5 AT and 3.5 CVT, both using Gasoline. FWD and AWD are available in both generations. For a lower kerb weight, the first-generation 2.4 AT FWD is the lightest at 1,620 kg. For the highest output and torque, the second-generation 3.5 CVT leads with 231 hp and 333 Nm.
Nissan Presage generations compared
The first-generation Nissan Presage is a Minivan with seven listed versions. It was produced from June 1998 to June 2003. Its engine capacities are 2,388 cc, 2,488 cc and 2,987 cc, with outputs from 150 hp to 220 hp. Every listed version has an Automatic gearbox with four gears. Ground clearance is 150 mm on the 2.4 AT and 2.5 AT versions and 155 mm on the 3.0 AT. All use a 60-litre fuel tank.
The second-generation Nissan Presage is also a Minivan and was produced from June 2003 to July 2009. It has four listed versions: FWD and AWD forms of 2.5 AT and 3.5 CVT. Output is either 163 hp or 231 hp, while torque is either 245 Nm or 333 Nm. The fuel tank increases to 70 litres, but ground clearance falls to 140 mm. Compared with the first generation’s largest engine, the 3.5 CVT adds 511 cc, 11 hp and 54 Nm.
Nissan Presage engine and specs
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Capacity | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 2.4 AT, FWD | 150 hp | 215 Nm | 2,388 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| First generation 2.4 AT, AWD | 150 hp | 215 Nm | 2,388 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| First generation 2.5 AT, FWD | 165 hp | 233 Nm | 2,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| First generation 2.5 AT, AWD | 165 hp | 233 Nm | 2,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| First generation 3.0 AT, FWD | 220 hp | 279 Nm | 2,987 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| First generation 2.5 AT, FWD | 150 hp | 279 Nm | 2,488 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| First generation 2.5 AT, AWD | 150 hp | 279 Nm | 2,488 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| Second generation 2.5 AT, FWD | 163 hp | 245 Nm | 2,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | FWD |
| Second generation 2.5 AT, AWD | 163 hp | 245 Nm | 2,488 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Automatic, 4 gears | AWD |
| Second generation 3.5 CVT, FWD | 231 hp | 333 Nm | 3,498 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Variable | FWD |
| Second generation 3.5 CVT, AWD | 231 hp | 333 Nm | 3,498 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | Variable | AWD |
The first-generation Gasoline 2.4 AT produces about 62.8 hp per litre. The first-generation Gasoline 2.5 AT raises this to about 66.3 hp per litre, while the Diesel 2.5 AT produces about 60.3 hp per litre. The first-generation 3.0 AT reaches about 73.7 hp per litre.
In the second generation, the 2.5 AT produces about 65.5 hp per litre and the 3.5 CVT about 66.0 hp per litre. Their power-per-litre figures are close, but the 3.5 CVT supplies 68 hp and 88 Nm more than the 2.5 AT.
Nissan Presage performance, mpg and fuel consumption
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h was not measured for any listed Nissan Presage version. Top speed was not measured for every version except the first-generation Gasoline 2.5 AT, for which the listed maximum is 170 km/h in both FWD and AWD form.
City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption and combined fuel consumption were not measured for any listed version. Consequently, no supported Nissan Presage mpg comparison can be made from these specifications.
Fuel requirements still separate the choices. The first-generation 2.4 AT and second-generation 2.5 AT use 92 fuel. The first-generation Gasoline 2.5 AT, first-generation 3.0 AT and second-generation 3.5 CVT use 95 fuel. The first-generation Turbo 2.5 AT uses Diesel.
Nissan Presage dimensions, weight and capacity
Overall exterior dimensions were not measured, and wheel sizes were not measured for any listed version.
The first-generation 2.4 AT weighs 1,620 kg with FWD and 1,730 kg with AWD, so AWD adds 110 kg. That corresponds to about 10.8 kg per horsepower for FWD and 11.5 kg per horsepower for AWD.
Both first-generation Gasoline 2.5 AT versions are listed at 1,630 kg despite their different drive systems. Gross weight is 2,070 kg for each, producing a 440 kg difference between kerb and gross weight. Their weight-to-power figure is about 9.9 kg per horsepower. The first-generation 3.0 AT weighs 1,640 kg, or about 7.5 kg per horsepower.
For the first-generation Diesel 2.5 AT, kerb weight is 1,710 kg with FWD and 1,810 kg with AWD. AWD therefore adds 100 kg. Weight per horsepower is about 11.4 kg for FWD and 12.1 kg for AWD.
The second-generation 2.5 AT weighs 1,710 kg with FWD and 1,790 kg with AWD, an 80 kg difference. This gives approximately 10.5 kg per horsepower for FWD and 11.0 kg per horsepower for AWD. The 3.5 CVT weighs 1,770 kg with FWD and 1,850 kg with AWD, again making AWD 80 kg heavier. Its figures are about 7.7 and 8.0 kg per horsepower respectively.
The first generation carries 60 litres of fuel, while the second generation carries 70 litres, a gain of 10 litres. Ground clearance moves in the opposite direction: most first-generation versions provide 150 mm, the first-generation 3.0 AT provides 155 mm, and every second-generation version provides 140 mm.
Nissan Presage problems and reliability: what the data can confirm
Problems, service history, repair frequency, engine-oil specification and reliability ratings were not measured. The supplied figures therefore cannot support claims that one engine or generation is more reliable than another.
The specifications do reveal mechanical differences relevant to inspection and servicing. First-generation versions all use an Automatic gearbox with four gears, whereas the second-generation 3.5 CVT uses a Variable gearbox. The first-generation Diesel 2.5 AT is the only Turbo engine and the only engine with Direct injection (direct); the other listed engines have No boost and use Distributed injection (multi-point).
Every version has Independent, spring front and rear suspension and Ventilated disc front brakes. Rear brakes differ: the first-generation 2.4 AT, 3.0 AT and Diesel 2.5 AT have Drum rear brakes; the first-generation Gasoline 2.5 AT has Disc rear brakes; and all second-generation versions have ventilated rear discs.
Which Nissan Presage version should you buy?
Choose the first-generation 2.4 AT FWD if low kerb weight is the priority. At 1,620 kg, it is 110 kg lighter than the corresponding AWD version and the lightest Presage listed. Its 150 hp and 215 Nm are also the lowest Gasoline output and torque figures in the range.
Choose the first-generation Gasoline 2.5 AT if you want a middle ground within that generation. It adds 15 hp and 18 Nm over the Gasoline 2.4 AT. At 165 hp, it also has 2 hp more than the later second-generation 2.5 AT, although the later engine counters with 12 Nm more torque.
Choose the first-generation Diesel 2.5 AT for its specific combination of Diesel fuel, Turbo boost and 279 Nm at 1,800 rpm. It matches the first-generation 3.0 AT’s 279 Nm while producing 70 hp less. The FWD Diesel weighs 100 kg less than the AWD Diesel.
Choose the first-generation 3.0 AT FWD for the strongest power-to-weight result in that generation. Its 220 hp moves 1,640 kg, giving approximately 7.5 kg per horsepower. It also has the highest listed ground clearance at 155 mm.
Choose the second-generation 2.5 AT FWD when the later generation, a 70-litre tank and the lighter drive configuration matter more than maximum power. It weighs 80 kg less than the AWD equivalent while retaining the same 163 hp and 245 Nm.
Choose the second-generation 3.5 CVT FWD for the strongest numerical performance proposition. Its 231 hp and 333 Nm are the highest figures in the catalogue, and the FWD version is 80 kg lighter than the AWD version. Compared with the second-generation 2.5 AT FWD, it adds 68 hp and 88 Nm while adding 60 kg, improving weight per horsepower from about 10.5 kg to about 7.7 kg.
Choose AWD only when that drive layout itself is required. It does not increase power or torque in any paired version. The measured trade-off is additional kerb weight: 110 kg for the first-generation 2.4 AT, 100 kg for the first-generation Diesel 2.5 AT, and 80 kg for each paired second-generation version.