Car Reviews: 1996 Nissan Pickup

evoke images of lofty mountains, high plains or low deserts. Just a simple declarative

name: Nissan Truck.

But what this vehicle lacks in romantic or adventuresome nomenclature, it makes up in

variations on the basic compact pickup theme. The Nissan Truck is available in four

2-wheel drive models and three that offer 4-wheel drive. And that doesn't include the

options, packages and accessories that can be added to further personalize this pickup

to buyer preferences.

If this is your first foray into the realm of vehicles with open cargo boxes behind

the passenger compartment, it's a good idea to think about what you're going to do

with it before you make choices. Does the idea of a truck appeal to you as a lifestyle

or image vehicle? If so, you can save a fair amount of money by eliminating features

that rarely apply to general transportation use--4wd, for example, or the optional

31-in. tires, good for off-road use but less suitable for street driving than the

standard P235/75R-15 radials.

If it's going to be a working vehicle, what does it need to carry and/or tow? How many

passengers are likely to be on board on a regular basis? Like most pickups, the

Nissan's range of options and packages can accommodate a good many needs.

first compact pickups to anticipate the trend toward a slightly rounder, more

aerodynamic front end. A major redesign is just around the corner, but that design

still looks good today--sturdy, functional and tough, with just the right veneer of

civilization.

Sporty side graphics are available, as well as blacked-out chrome trim and dark tinted

glass. If image is the goal, you can also add the optional aluminum alloy "cool

wheels." You know they're cool because it says so right there in Nissan's promotional

literature.

The Nissan is offered in two wheelbase lengths--104.3 in. for the standard cab version,

116.1 in. for the King Cab. A longer wheelbase almost inavariably adds up to better

ride quality, and we found this to be the case with our test truck, an XE King Cab

with 4wd.

With a new truck nearing production-readiness, Nissan has eliminated a long-bed option

for the +96 model. Cargo beds on King Cab editions are a couple inches longer than

those behind the standard cab, but both qualify as shortbeds. The cargo box features

double-wall construction, and a plastic bedliner is available as an option. Rated

payload capacity is 1400 lbs. across the board, and towing capacity is 3500 lbs.

The engine is a 2.4-liter single overhead cam 12-valve 4-cyl. with adequate horspower

and good torque characteristics, thanks to its 3-valves per cylinder design--two

intake, one exhaust. This engine has been in the Nissan truck inventory for quite

awhile, and has very good durability credentials.

If you want a V6 engine, you'll have to shop elsewhere. If you want a V6 engine in a

Nissan truck, you'll have to wait until the new one comes along. The next generation

is expected to offer the same new 3.3-liter V6 used in the new Nissan Pathfinder. In

the meantime, Nissan chose not to make the investment that would have been required to

update the old V6 to the next level of federal and/or California emissions standards.

Development delays in the new engine program have spawned consequent delays in the

arrival of the new trucks.

Transmission choices include a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic.

Considering the power limits of the 4-cyl. engine, we recommend the 5-speed.

If towing is on your agenda, Nissan produces one of the more comprehensive towing

guides we've seen from any manufacturer. It includes clear definitions of various

hitches and their applications, as a wiring section with diagrams for Nissan vehicles

with clear explanations of the best places to tap into the electrical system for

trailer lighting and brake systems.

King Cab or regular, the Nissan Pickup is available in thre trim levels--the very

spartan Standard truck, the mid-range XE and the sportier, better-equipped SE.

the King Cab provides extra room up front, as well as just enough space for two behind

the front seats. Instead of a conventional bench seat in back, which would be

extremely cramped, Nissan's King Cab provides two small jump seats that fold down from

the sides and face toward the center of the truck.

The jump seats wouldn't be a comfortable place to roost for a long trip, but they work

fine for a jaunt to the beach or getting a small crew to a work site. And without

passengers, the seats can be folded up, creating a good-sized space for storage of

stuff you don't care to stow in the cargo bed.

Driver and passenger seats are supportive and comfortable. Once we figured out how to

work the tilt option on the steering column, we were able to get the relationship

between the seat and various controls arranged in a configuration that was more car-

than truck-like.

Nissan has installed a better grade of cloth upholstery on the '96 models, and

cupholders have been integrated into the center storage console in King Cab models.

The control and gauge array is logically and visibly positioned save for the dashlight

dimmer control, which required some searching to find. Nissan added a driver's airbag

for +96, but dual airbags won't be available until the new truck rolls out.

Ventilation in the King Cab is excellent. The rear side windows swing out, and the

rear window has a slide-open feature. Using a combination of side and rear windows,

it's easy to achieve an excellent flow of fresh air without any buffeting.

Nissan lists air conditioning as an "accessory," rather than an option, but the net

result is the same. You pay extra for it, something that's true of every

comfort/convenience feature you can name as far as the Standard truck is concerned.

The sound system in our test truck was an optional AM/FM/cassette unit with two

speakers--not exactly orchestral, but it did deliver a good range of sound and

maintained a tenacious hold on radio station tuning.

diminishes the appeal of this truck. The 4-cyl. engine is adequate in most normal

driving conditons, but begins getting buzzy at higher rpm and has to work hard to

propel the truck up steep grades at highway speeds.

Although its payload rating is respectable, we think performance with 1400 lbs. of

cargo on board--or a 3500-lb. trailer hooked on behind--would be sub-standard.

On the other hand, ride quality was surprisingly good for a 4wd pickup truck, and the

truck felt stable at all speeds.

Pickups equipped with 4wd have a high center of gravity, which doesn't lend itself to

agile handling, and so it was with our test truck. However, its responses to quick

maneuvers are about average for 4wd trucks in this class. The same can be said for

braking performance, although ABS--a feature that's showing up on more and more

pickups--is available here only on the rear wheels. It's standard equipment, but a

4-wheel ABS system simply isn't offered.

The 4-wheel drive system is of the on-demand variety, with a separate shifter for the

transfer case. Like virtually all pickup truck systems, it's designed for occasional

use, rather than full-time.

Pickup. And with an as-tested price of $19,730, our XE 4x4 qualifies as expensive

versus competing makes.

However, Nissan's dealers seem to have taken note of this as well. Although the base

price for the Standard pickup--which is a very bare-bones truck--is $10,999, we've seen

dealer ads listing starting prices as low as $8988.

With discounts of that magnitude, the Nissan Truck begins looking much more

attractive.

Nissan has earned a solid reputation for building a quality product. The J.D. Power

Vehicle Dependability Study for 1995 put listed Nissan in a first-place tie for Best

Overall Truck Line.

Thus, if you're in the market for a compact pickup and V6 power isn't an important

priority, the Nissan Truck should be on your shopping list.

A proven vehicle near the end of its product cycle can be a terrific value, and the

Nissan Truck fits both parameters.