Nissan Teana 2003-2008 used car review
The Nissan Teana is a large car that is best for those who want comfort rather than a sporty drive.
The Nissan Teana is a large car that is best for those who want comfort rather than a sporty drive.
The Nissan Teana is the Japanese-market version of the Nissan Maxima once sold in New Zealand. It was developed alongside the Nissan Murano SUV with which it shares many components and some design features. The Teana was produced as a comfortable, relaxed car - with models such as the Skyline being offered to those who wanted more of a driver's car.
Inside and out
Compared to other large cars of the time, the Teana looks unique, with rounded corners at either end and an arching roofline. At the front, the big headlights run back into the bonnet and front guards. The chrome grille is large and the lower parts of the car are finished in a dark colour. The taillights are huge and stick out from the rear corners of the car, making them vulnerable to damage.
Even base-model Teanas have a premium look inside. A wide strip of wood runs across the middle of the dash and the centre console is finished in the same material. There is no instrument pod and the gauges housed within the dash itself. An orange-coloured information screen sits above the controls for the climate control system, and below this is the CD player stereo.
The seats are very comfortable, with a soft, plush fabric covering and wide, deep bases. They are not great at preventing sideways movement - which ties in with the car’s relaxed style. Both front seats are electrically adjustable and the front passenger seat features a leg rest that extends out at the push of a button. The rear seat is broad and has room for an adult to sit in the middle in reasonable comfort. The backs of the front seats are sculpted inwards and finished in plastic to give more rear legroom. All three rear passengers get headrests.
At 472 litres, the boot is a little cramped for a small car and its narrow opening is also likely to reduce its practicality. Two large and three small cases should fit. The rear seat does not fold forward to increase space but it does have a ski port for long, narrow items.
On the road
Three engines are available in the Teana, with the most common being 2.3-litre and 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol units. A 2.5-litre four-cylinder is also available, fitted to all-wheel drive models. The smaller engines use a four-speed automatic transmission and the 3.5-litre is paired with a CVT. The 2.3-litre engine in our review car produces 127kW and 225Nm, which makes for reasonable performance. In normal use, it is smooth and hushed, though push it hard and it can sound a little thrashy.
The Teana is set up to be a comfortable cruiser rather than a sports sedan. It does corner well, with plenty of grip - there is a little body roll and the steering is very light. The soft suspension absorbs rough road surfaces very well.
It’s a large car and reduced visibility to the rear makes it a challenge to park or manoeuvre in small spaces. That’s despite a tight turning circle of 11.4 metres. Reversing cameras were not standard although they are commonly fitted - just not in our review vehicle. Seek out a car with one installed in Japan - it will then run through the integrated screen in the dashboard.
There is no official tow rating for the Teana though we did find aftermarket options rated at up to 500kg unbraked (a small garden trailer) and 1,500kg braked (a small-to-medium trailer boat.)
Safety
We could find no safety rating for the Teana or for similarly specified Nissan Maxima models. Updated 2006 Maxima models of the same basic body shape received a four-star ANCAP rating though these cars also featured curtain airbags. Safety specifications on the Teana include front and side airbags and antilock brakes. Electronic stability control is a very rare option and is generally only found on Axis or 350JM models.
There are no ISOFIX child seat mounts in the rear seat. All rear seats have three-point seatbelts.
Reliability
The Nissan Teana has a reasonable reputation for reliability though neither the engine nor the transmission is free of faults. The engine uses a timing chain, which will not require regular replacement. However, timing chain rattle and stretch can occur. Look for engine lights that don’t go out, a misfire or a rattle from the engine. Avoid cars that show these signs.
They are also known to develop oil leaks, everywhere from rocker cover gaskets. The orientation of the engine makes changing the rear gasket a tricky and expensive job. Head gaskets are also known to fail, a risk that can be reduced by using high-quality coolant fluid.
Although they’re unlikely to fail entirely, the only fix is a costly rebuild. The CVT automatic on the 350 models requires precise servicing to maintain its reliability.
The electric window system is a little fragile but it’s not hard to find used components to fix it. The headlights can go cloudy and kits are available to polish them back to life. In a design quirk, the large rear taillights are not well placed - the corners sit proud of the main bodywork and are prone to being scraped or broken.
The cloth fabric can develop a shiny, worn look on high-usage areas such as seat squabs and side bolsters, and around the door armrests and handles. It is also not uncommon to see the fabric has worn through altogether, exposing the inner materials of the seat. The backs of the front seats have hard plastic surrounds, which can fracture the plastic clips and pull away from the material padding of the seat itself, especially in cars where heavier occupants place strain on the seat and cause the back to twist.
Cost of ownership
Nissan recommends servicing the Teana every 10,000km or once a year, whichever comes first. Each visit will cost from $320.
RightCar estimates that over 14,000km of driving a year, the 230 version of the Teana will cost $2,690 to fuel. The 70-litre fuel tank will cost $140 to fill at $2 per litre and should take you 670km before the fuel light comes on.
A vehicle licence for the Teana costs $76.92 a year, with the car in the cheapest ACC levy group.
Trade Me Insurance estimates insurance for a Teana valued at $6,300 will cost $42.71* per month - the same as insuring a Japanese-import Toyota Camry of the same year.
Buyers’ guide
The Teana is available on Trade Me priced from $2,500 to $11,000. The most expensive vehicles are low-mileage 230 models or the Axis version. When you shop, also consider the New Zealand-new Maxima model.
Variants
There are two basis specification levels, with models split between the 230 for the 2.3-litre engine, 250 Four for the 2.5-litre models - which also features all-wheel drive - and 350 for the 3.5-litre engine.
- JK - Features steel wheels, fabric upholstery, wood trim, climate control air-conditioning with separate settings for driver and passenger, electric front seat, electric windows and a front passenger footrest. Alloy wheels are a common option.
- JM - Adds alloy wheels, two-tone body colours, foglights, chrome trim and leather steering wheel. Commonly optioned with a smart key system and Japan-only navigation.
- AXIS - Adds unique alloy wheels and body kit, sports suspension, leather interior and chrome grille.
Timeline
- 2003 Launched to replace the Cefiro and Maxima models
- 2005 Receives cosmetic facelift
- 2008 Replaced by new model
Details
2005 Nissan Teana 230JK
$3,500 to $10,000 for models which have travelled 70,000 to 120,000km
2.3-litre six-cylinder, 127kW/221Nm (claimed)
Four-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Unrated
10,000km or 12 months
Space saver
9.6-litres per 100km (claimed)
Premium
4845mm
1765mm
1495mm
Unrated
11.4m
This review covers the Nissan Teana for model years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.
*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.
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