Nissan used to do sedans.
For decades, it was one of the leaders in the segment, from the early Skyline models and three-box versions of the Pulsar to the Maxima and Altima, the Japanese auto brand has heritage on its side when it comes to the traditional three-box body style.
But could we see a new sedan model from Nissan anytime soon? The door is open, according to company executives, and it won’t be like anything that’s come before it.
The model in question is the Nissan N7, a fully electric large sedan with cutting-edge tech, striking design, and strong specs on its side.
It’s a product of the partnership between Nissan and Dongfeng in China, and we got to drive it recently in Japan.
Note: This review primarily contains marketing imagery, as access to images from the first drive event was limited.
How much does the Nissan N7 cost?
It’s worth noting that this new electric sedan isn’t confirmed for Australia, but it could certainly play a part in helping Nissan Australia avoid penalties as part of the federal government’s NVES emissions regulations.
The reality for this car, though, is that it’s bigger than a Tesla Model 3, and might wear a price higher than that popular electric sedan, which starts from $54,900 plus on-road costs.
That said, we’ve seen a very similar approach from Mazda with its new Mazda 6e, which is a Deepal-sourced electric sedan, albeit heavily restyled, but it’s priced from just $49,990 plus on-roads with a huge 560km WLTP-rated EV range.
So, if Mazda can do it, why not Nissan?
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What is the Nissan N7 like on the inside?
Unlike the vehicle shown throughout this review, our test car in Japan was finished with lovely two-tone grey and charcoal interior trim, highlighted by some subtle orange accents embroidered in the front seats.
It made quite the impression on me, with a simple design that isn’t as minimalist as a Model 3, plus a number of smart cabin treatments to make it feel special.
The door cards with their ribbed trimming, the soft and subtle materials on the dashboard, doors and seats, and the chic and overall high-quality vibe made quite a good impression.
And those seats feature the brand’s first-gen AI tech that can adjust the base and back to provide the ideal position for your body shape and size, using in-built airbags to structure them precisely to your skeleton. Apparently.
Either way, it’s a very comfy place, and the storage cleverness you’d expect is all here – adjustable cupholders, a big covered centre console bin, large door pockets, and a bridge between the front seats featuring a wireless phone charger and a bottom shelf for extra storage. It’s neat.
I had zero time to figure out the media screen, other than to adjust the fan speed and temperature, but it featured an expected array of icons, menus and a fixed panel at the bottom for commonly used features. No physical controls? That could be an issue for some.
In the back there is a huge amount of space for someone my size to sit behind another large adult, and a flat floor to optimise cabin width for three-across activities. Headroom is also decent for a swoopy sedan.
The seat is very comfortable, too, and features all the expected niceties, such as storage pockets, cup and bottle holsters, directional vents, and USB-C charging options.
The N7 is a large sedan and has a pretty big boot, too, with figures from Dongfeng stating a seats-up capacity of 484 litres – just 4L less than the old Altima petrol sedan of yesteryear.
| Dimensions | Nissan N7 |
|---|---|
| Length | 4930mm |
| Width | 2915mm |
| Height | 1895mm |
| Wheelbase | 1487mm |
| Cargo capacity | 484L |
What’s under the bonnet?
The version we sampled in Japan was the high-spec 625 Max, which has more power than some of the cheaper variants, plus more standard spec and a bigger battery with more range.
| Specifications | Nissan N7 |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric |
| Battery | 73kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) |
| Power | 200kW |
| Torque | 305Nm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Energy consumption (claimed)– CLTC | 12.4-13.4kWh/100km |
| Claimed range– CLTC | 625km |
| DC charge time | 30-80 per cent in 14 minutes |
There are some pretty impressive efficiency numbers according to the Chinese test cycle for this EV, with stated figures of between 12.4 and 13.4kWh/100km (CLTC), making it ultra-efficient – thanks in no small part to its superb drag coefficient of 0.208Cd.
How does the Nissan N7 drive?
I wasn’t expected to really like the N7, quite frankly.
But I did. After a few minutes of driving around the Grandrive facility outside Tokyo, it became apparent to me that this felt more like a Tesla Model S competitor than a Model 3 rival.
That’s largely down to its physical size, but also the feeling of it on the road.
There’s a grounded confidence to the suspension, the steering is accurate with impressive weighting and response, and while it is front-wheel drive, the power management seemed impressive.
There’s not an abundance of power, but don’t get me wrong, it still felt urgent in its responses but in a more measured way than some other EVs – at least based on my short stint behind the wheel.
There are different drive modes and regen braking modes available too, though my time was mainly spent in Normal mode with the regen set to standard.
Was it a mind-blowing drive? Not by any means.
But has any Nissan sedan in recent memory been exciting? No. So it’s arguably a terrific fit for the brand’s portfolio.
What do you get?
There are six versions of the N7 available in China, but the one we sampled was a high-spec variant with all the fruit.
Australian specifications aren’t confirmed yet, but here are some of the highlights of the model I tested in Japan:
- LED headlights, tail-lights, and ‘7’ shaped daytime running lights
- 19-inch wheels
- Fixed glass roof (not a panoramic glass roof) with electric shade
- 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen
- 10.25-inch driver’s instrument cluster
- 12-speaker stereo system
- 256-colour interior ambient lighting
- Leather and suede seat trim
- Heated, ventilated and massaging front seats
- Electric seat adjustment
- Driver’s seat memory settings
- AI seat technology that can auto-adjust to suit different body types
- Leather steering wheel trim
- Climate control
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P software processor
- Over-the-air software updates
Those are just some of the inclusions in the flagship of the current model.
Is the Nissan N7 safe?
The Nissan N7 has loads of safety tech co-developed with Momenta, which is considered by some to be the leading autonomous driving technology provider in the Chinese market.
There are Level 2 autonomy features, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with ProPilot tech to assist the driver on the highway (including lane-keeping, distance management, speed control, steering and more).
There is a terrific surround-view camera system too, with semi-autonomous parking also offered.
How much does the Nissan N7 cost to run?
Nissan’s current aftersales promise to potential customers is a strong one.
There’s a standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia, but owners who service with the company can have their cover extended out to 10 years or 300,000km, whichever comes first.
It is expected that Nissan would offer a battery warranty at market standards – at least eight years and 160,000km, with a 70 or 75 per cent state of health guarantee.
Looking at Nissan’s only current EV on sale in our market, the Ariya mid-size electric SUV, you could take it as a guide that maintenance might be required every 12 months and 20,000km.
Meanwhile, roadside assistance for up to 10 years or 300,000km is offered to customers who service their car with the brand.
CarExpert’s Take on the Nissan N7
Honestly, the N7 is a promising enough product to bring to market, if Nissan Australia can get the price and specs right.
My advice to the company? Look at Mazda and do what it has done!
Click the images for the full gallery