The first generation Nissan Tiana (J31) was presented in February 2003 and was originally intended for the markets of Japan, China and Southeast Asia. Among buyers in North America, the Nissan Teana J31 is known as the Nissan Altima. The car is built on the global FF-L platform.
The business sedan Nissan Tiana J31 at the beginning of 2006 underwent minor plastic surgery and expanded the geography of sales in Europe at the expense of Russia and Ukraine. Our review is dedicated to the restyled Nissan Teana of the first generation, which has been officially sold on the Russian market since 2006. In 2008, it was replaced by the second generation Teana with the factory index J32.
The appearance of this business-class sedan is not capable of evoking any admiring emotions, it can even be called restrained or boring. But restraint in this case has a tinge of presentability. The front end of the first generation Teana - with the original headlights located in the extreme lateral positions of the sloping hood. The front bumper with classic lines, the cut of the lower air intake continues harmoniously with narrow rectangular foglights. Nissan's signature inverted trapezoid grille is lavishly clad in chrome. Chrome lining also surrounds the body of the Nissan Teana J31 along the perimeter (oriental perception of luxury), front and rear bumpers, door panels.
The car's profile looks heavy, but solid. Large wheel arches accommodating wheels of 205/65 R16 - 215/55 R17, large doorways and side windows add solidity. The roof sloping down to the stern with a powerful rear section gives passengers a sense of security.
Behind the Nissan Tiana of the first generation demonstrates monumentality: "adult" bumper, trunk lid, rear lighting, and of course an abundance of chrome elements. The dimensions of the Nissan Teana J31 are: length - 4845 mm, width - 1765 mm, height - 1475 mm, base - 2775 mm, ground clearance - 135 mm.
As a result, we must admit that the designers' model of Tiana turned out to be solid - this is a car designed for people who value classics that never go out of fashion.
We observe a completely different picture inside. Stylish, bright and functional inner world of Tiana of the first generation warmly welcomes its five passengers with decent quality materials used, verified ergonomics of the cabin and excellent assembly. The front dashboard is rich with wide "wooden" inserts, a large steering wheel (the steering column is adjustable in height) for four spokes, behind it there are simple instruments (information content and readability at a height). The center console of the correct rectangular shape accommodates the controls for climate control (even in the poorest configuration), CD MP3 music. Buttons, knobs and switches are logically placed and allow you to blindly adjust comfort functions. The central tunnel is lavishly dressed in "wooden" clothes.
Four complete sets of Nissan Teana J31 were available for the Russian market: 200JK, 230JK, 230JM and 350JM. The simplest one was equipped with a velor interior, dual-zone climate control, and Nissan standard music. Nissan Tiana J31 350JM was packed to capacity and boasted a leather interior (delicate leather), climate, rear view camera, color display, power front seats, heated, massage function (passenger seat - in addition with ottoman seat footrest), CD -changer, active bi-xenon, cruise control, keyless entry and much more. Rear row passengers have access to heated seats, their own music control unit, a rear window blind control drive, a pair of air ducts.
Sitting in the back is free and comfortable, but the top of the head is pressed by the falling roofline. The luggage compartment of the Nissan Teana J31 allows you to carry a modest 476 liters of cargo. I am pleased with the decent sound and noise insulation of the cabin, which, in tandem with the "silent" interior details, is a pleasant addition to the comfortable and high-quality inner world of Tiana under the J31 index.
Specifications - the first generation Nissan Teana is built on the FF-L front-wheel drive platform. The front suspension is independent on MacPherson struts, the rear is also independent, multi-link. Disc brakes with ABC and ESP, there is a power steering. There were three engines for the Nissan Teana J31 in Russia, and all of them were gasoline.
Four-cylinder QR20DE 2.0 L (136 hp) with 4 automatic transmissions. With a two-liter engine, the first generation Tiana could satisfy only a very calm driver: acceleration to "hundreds" in 12.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 180 km / h.
V-shaped "six" VQ23DE 2.3 liters. (173 hp) 4 automatic transmissions. With a 2.3-liter Nissan Teana J31 engine, live faster, spurt to the first hundred in 10.7 seconds and a top speed of about 200 km / h.
The top Nissan Tiana of the first generation was equipped with a VQ35DE 3.5 liter six-cylinder engine. (245 hp) with the XTRONIC CVT-M6 variator (with the possibility of manual shifting and a choice of six fixed gears). With such an engine, the Teana J31 is characterized by the temperament of a "hot hatch" - up to 100 km / h in 7.9 seconds at a maximum speed of 210 km / h.
Test Drive - the driving characteristics of the first generation Nissan Tiana leave a pleasant impression. A car with a comfortable and soft ride. Small irregularities are ignored by the suspension, large holes are swallowed "silently", which is especially pleasant, while the impacts are not transmitted to the steering wheel. This not a small sedan irons both a straight trajectory and protracted bends calmly and predictably. Only at high-speed movement are the steering imperfections revealed in the form of weak feedback. On almost any road surface, the 2003-2008 Nissan Teana floats in a measured swaying and protecting its passengers from shaking, like a cruise liner on the waves.
In the secondary market of Russia, there are a lot of offers for the sale of Nissan Teana J31. Prices for the first generation Nissan Tiana in 2012 range from 300 to 900 thousand rubles, depending on the year of manufacture, the installed engine and the level of equipment.
