Best Nissans for Long Distance Driving

May 13, 2016

Long Trip

Long trips are far different now than they were even a couple of decades ago. Changing fuel efficiency standards have changed the cost, and entertainment features have altered the in-car dynamic. Below, you’ll find a list of several of Nissan’s offerings, and the features that make them ideal for the long haul.

Sentra

One of Nissan’s signature lines, the Sentra has been in production for over three decades. During that time, the model has migrated in size from subcompact to compact to mid-size sedan. One thing that had remained steady, however, is the brand’s performance. A great entry-level car, the Sentra features a roomy interior perfect for transporting a small group. It also has excellent handling and safety-first construction. The Sentra is a good choice for almost any buyer; it’s a great car for general use or more specific purposes.

As far as mileage, the Sentra is a powerhouse, with between 27 and 30 mpg city and 36 to 40 on the highway. The front seats offer a spacious 42.5 inches of legroom, and the back seats provide 37.4 inches for your smaller passengers. The car features an integrated radio/CD player with MP3 and Bluetooth capability, but it lacks some of the more complex entertainment features available on luxury models.

2016 Nissan Altima

Altima

The Nissan Altima is another mid-sized model, albeit a somewhat larger one. With a pedigree of almost 25 years, the Altima sits between the Maxima and the Sentra in size, making it a car you may find just right. Being somewhat larger and more substantial than the Sentra makes the Altima a more comfortable choice for the long haul, with a roomier interior and more frills to make the trip as pleasant as possible. The best news, however, is that the Altima’s size and comfort don’t make a huge dent in the fuel efficiency for which Nissan is known.

The Altima gets between 22 and 27 miles per gallon in the city, and 26 to 31 on highways. The seating is slightly roomier than the Sentra in front with 45.0 inches of leg room, though the back seats are almost the same at 37.1 inches. As with the Sentra, the onboard entertainment is limited to a radio, CD player, and MP3 and Bluetooth playback capability, so be sure to offer your passengers enough to keep them entertained for the whole drive.

2016 Nissan Juke

Juke

While people rarely think of sport utility vehicles when they think of fuel efficiency, several of Nissan’s SUV models are surprisingly economical. The Juke is the smallest SUV in production at Nissan at the moment, a five-door hatchback with an exceptionally efficient design, making it a great vehicle for taking a long trip on the cheap. The Juke may not have the giant trunk space of some of the larger and pricier models available from Nissan and elsewhere, but it makes up for its smaller profile and storage space with far less pain at the pump.

The Juke gets a respectable 25 to 28 mpg inside of urban environments and between 27 and 31 mpg out on the highway. The interior is somewhat less roomy than the Altima and Sentra, with the front seats providing 42.1 inches of leg room and the back seats offering 32.1. Entertainment is centered again on a radio/CD/MP3 player with Bluetooth capability, though the Juke’s system has a few more options than the mid-sized offerings.

2016 Nissan Pathfinder

Pathfinder

Another step up in size, the Nissan Pathfinder pushes on the upper limits of the crossover classification. The rugged Pathfinder is a great way to travel long distances in style, with more room and features than its smaller cousins. Fuel efficiency is lower than some other automobile classes, but if you have the money to keep the tank full, you’ll have a hard time finding a smoother and safer ride than the Pathfinder in any road conditions.

Fuel efficiency for the Pathfinder is not as terrible as some would think of an SUV; the model gets 19 to 20 miles per gallon in town and 26 to 27 outside. The three-row seating is designed to accommodate a large crowd comfortably, with the front seats getting 42.3 inches of legroom, the second row 41.7, and the rear 30.7. The Pathfinder’s standard radio/CD player has a six-disc changer, and optional packages on the higher-end models include integrated video monitors to keep your passengers entertained on the road.

Preparing for a trip is ultimately a matter of deciding what kind of voyage you are going to go on. Are you taking a family-friendly vacation with the kids in tow, or are you embarking on an adults-only road trip with your special someone? When picking out your very own Nissan, be sure to think about the kinds of situations in which you’ll be driving the vehicle.