Which Nissan President Version Should You Buy?
The Nissan President came in three Sedan generations, each represented here by one Automatic, RWD version. The choice is therefore between the first-generation 4.4 AT with 200 hp, the second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp, and the third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp. The first-generation car is the lightest and the only one with measured acceleration and top-speed figures.
The Nissan President came in three Sedan generations, each represented here by one Automatic, RWD version. The choice is therefore between the first-generation 4.4 AT with 200 hp, the second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp, and the third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp. The first-generation car is the lightest and the only one with measured acceleration and top-speed figures. The second generation brings a larger, more powerful engine and independent spring suspension at both ends. The third generation adds 10 hp and 57 Nm over the second-generation version, gains a 5-speed Automatic gearbox, and reduces kerb weight by 70 kg. No price, interior, reliability, or sale-listing data is available, so the most defensible buying decision must be based on the specifications below.
Nissan President generations compared
The first-generation Nissan President ran from 1973 to 1990. Its only listed version is the 4.4 AT, a Sedan with a 4,400 cc Gasoline engine, 200 hp, a 3-speed Automatic gearbox, and RWD. At 1,600 kg, it is 290 kg lighter than the third-generation car and 360 kg lighter than the second-generation car. It also has 180 mm of ground clearance, which is 30 mm more than the third generation and 35 mm more than the second. This generation is the clearest choice for a buyer prioritizing lower kerb weight and greater ground clearance.
The second-generation Nissan President ran from 1990 to 2002 and also has one listed version, the 4.5 AT with 270 hp. It remains a Sedan with an Automatic gearbox and RWD, but it uses 4 speeds rather than the first generation’s 3. Its 4,494 cc Gasoline engine produces 394 Nm, while kerb weight rises to 1,960 kg. Ground clearance falls to 145 mm. Compared with the first-generation 4.4 AT, it provides 70 hp more from 94 cc of additional displacement.
The third-generation Nissan President ran from 2003 to 2010. Its single listed version is another 4.5 AT, distinguished from the earlier 4.5 AT by its 280 hp output. It has a 5-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. Its 4,494 cc Gasoline engine produces 451 Nm, while kerb weight is 1,890 kg and ground clearance is 150 mm. Against the second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp, this version is 10 hp more powerful, develops 57 Nm more torque, has one additional gearbox speed, weighs 70 kg less, and offers 5 mm more ground clearance.
Nissan President engine specs
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 4.4 AT | 200 hp / 147 kW | not measured | 4,400 cc | not measured | 8 | V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second generation 4.5 AT (270 hp) | 270 hp / 199 kW at 5,600 rpm | 394 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 4,494 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8 | V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third generation 4.5 AT (280 hp) | 280 hp / 206 kW at 6,000 rpm | 451 Nm at 3,600 rpm | 4,494 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 8 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
The first-generation 4.4 AT produces about 45.5 hp per litre. The second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp produces about 60.1 hp per litre, and the third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp produces about 62.3 hp per litre. The latest version therefore has the highest specific output.
The two 4,494 cc engines also differ beyond their headline output. Both use Distributed injection (multi-point), have 4 valves per cylinder, a 93 × 82.7 bore and stroke, and a Front, longitudinal engine position. The second-generation 4.5 AT has a 10.2 compression ratio, while the third-generation 4.5 AT has a 10.5 ratio. The third-generation engine’s 451 Nm arrives at 3,600 rpm, compared with 394 Nm at 4,000 rpm in the second generation.
For the first-generation 4.4 AT, valves per cylinder, engine position, compression ratio, bore and stroke, fuel grade, power rpm, torque, and torque rpm were not measured. Its fuel type is Gasoline, its injection system is Distributed injection (multi-point), and its 8 cylinders have a V-shaped layout.
Performance and mpg
The first-generation 4.4 AT is the only version with measured performance figures: acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 11.8 seconds, and top speed is 198 km/h. Acceleration and top speed were not measured for either the second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp or the third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp, so the extra output cannot be converted into a supported acceleration claim.
City, highway, and combined fuel consumption were not measured for any of the three versions. Consequently, Nissan President mpg cannot be calculated from this data. CO₂ output and environmental class were also not measured for the first-generation 4.4 AT, the second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp, or the third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp.
A weight-to-power comparison is still possible. The first-generation 4.4 AT carries 8.0 kg per hp. The second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp carries about 7.26 kg per hp, while the third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp carries 6.75 kg per hp. On the supplied numbers, the third-generation car has the strongest power-to-weight relationship, improving by about 0.51 kg per hp over the second generation and by 1.25 kg per hp over the first.
Nissan President weight, dimensions, and chassis specs
| Generation and version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First generation 4.4 AT | 1,600 kg | not measured | 180 mm | not measured | not measured |
| Second generation 4.5 AT (270 hp) | 1,960 kg | not measured | 145 mm | 85 L | not measured |
| Third generation 4.5 AT (280 hp) | 1,890 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 80 L | not measured |
Overall exterior length, width, height, and wheelbase were not measured for any generation, so a complete Nissan President dimensions comparison is unavailable. Gross weight and wheel sizes were likewise not measured for any version.
The first-generation 4.4 AT uses Independent, spring front suspension and Dependent, spring rear suspension. Its front brakes are Disc and its rear brakes are Drum. The second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp changes to Independent, spring suspension at both ends, with Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes. The third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp retains Independent, spring suspension at both ends and uses Ventilated disc brakes at both the front and rear.
Tank capacity favors the second-generation 4.5 AT at 85 L, which is 5 L more than the third-generation 4.5 AT at 80 L. The first-generation tank capacity was not measured. Without measured consumption, however, these capacities do not establish driving range.
Which Nissan President version should you choose?
Choose the first-generation 4.4 AT if your priorities are the lowest listed kerb weight and the greatest ground clearance. Its 1,600 kg kerb weight undercuts the second-generation car by 360 kg and the third-generation car by 290 kg, while its 180 mm clearance exceeds them by 35 mm and 30 mm respectively. It is also the only version for which the data confirms 0–100 km/h acceleration and top speed. The trade-off is the lowest output at 200 hp, the least favorable weight-to-power figure at 8.0 kg per hp, a 3-speed Automatic gearbox, Dependent, spring rear suspension, and Drum rear brakes.
Choose the second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp if you specifically want the middle generation or the largest measured tank. Relative to the first-generation 4.4 AT, it adds 70 hp, gains a 4-speed Automatic gearbox, and uses Independent, spring suspension at the rear. Its 85 L tank is 5 L larger than the third generation’s. Against the third-generation version, however, it is 70 kg heavier, has 10 hp less, produces 57 Nm less torque, has one fewer gearbox speed, and has 5 mm less ground clearance.
On specifications alone, the third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp is the strongest all-round choice. It combines the highest power, highest measured torque, highest power per litre, and best weight-to-power figure. Compared with the second-generation 4.5 AT, it keeps the same 4,494 cc displacement while delivering more power and torque, reducing kerb weight, adding a gearbox speed, and moving from Disc to Ventilated disc rear brakes. Its disadvantages in this comparison are an 80 L tank rather than 85 L and substantially more weight and less ground clearance than the first-generation car.
Price and availability cannot settle the decision because Nissan President price and Nissan President for-sale data were not provided. Interior equipment, problems, reliability, and comparisons with other models were also not measured. Based strictly on the available figures, the third-generation 4.5 AT with 280 hp is the performance-led choice, the first-generation 4.4 AT is the lighter and higher-clearance choice, and the second-generation 4.5 AT with 270 hp is chiefly distinguished by its 85 L tank and its position between those two specification sets.