S P E C I A L     :     L O N G - T E R M    T E S T
Special Article: Long-Term Wrap Up for the Nissan Cefiro Classic
By Ulysses Ang
Photos By Ulysses Ang
Originally Published August 2001 Issue

Talk about this topic on the messageboard!

Ever since the Nissan Cefiro Classic appeared on the pages of motioncars.com in December of 1998, we had nothing but problems to report with the car.  Sure, there were a lot of great things about the automobile that made it a great companion on a leisurely drive to Tagaytay, but it seemed that in this case, the Dark Side was winning against the Force.  In fact, if I had to summarize the first three years of the Cefiro’s life, it behaved like a dog on heat: unpredictable and unreliable. 

Nonetheless, after it hit the 44,000-kilometer mark, it seems that everything turned for the better for our silver colored manual transmission example.  In fact, as we close the curtains on this piece of Nissan engineering, we find little fault to criticize.  It had gone from a dog in heat to a thoroughbred machine.  Now at 51,000 kilometers old, we take a look back and retell the story that was the Nissan Cefiro. 

Back in 1998, the Cefiro was launched with two simple variants: an automatic and a manual transmission model.  It landed in Philippine shores with an array of new and seemingly sophisticated electronics that satisfied the techo-geeks anywhere: electronic release gas tank and boot lid, power everything (sans seats), a 10-disc Sony CD changer with 6-speaker system, wood paneling and most importantly the award-winning 2.0-liter 24-valve V6 VQ engine. 

The reason to buy this car is the creamy-smooth V6 engine that purrs quietly all the way to its 6,500 rpm redline. Although performance isn’t as explosive as a BMW inline-6, the VQ does its job well of propelling this 1390 kg. car. The 155-bhp, 190 Nm unit returns an average of 6.33 kilometers per liter in normal everyday driving. Moreover, the engine displays an excellent level of sophistication and evenness in tone that it easily forgives stupid drivers. The ‘too-low-for-this-gear-rpm’ phenomenon is generally absent from the Cefiro. Mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission, the car is a snail even in the so-called power mode. Thankfully, the 5-speed manual is a different story, and it operates with tick-tock efficiency, although not to the same level as a Honda. 

The bland exterior is counterweighed by a great cabin. The quality and space easily clobbers any other Japanese luxury car in this segment. Materials are generally soft-feel plastics and surfaces with faux wood don’t look too faux. The thick-rimmed leather steering wheel is easy to grasp and the overall driving position is adequate. Seat support is nothing spectacular, but it provides ample comfort for long-distance driving.  

Bump absorption is forgivable especially with huge potholes and humps. Unfortunately, the car gets unsettled easily during slight road unevenness. Sometimes, the ride could even become jaw-jarring rides that become uncomfortable to rear passengers.

We are bidding goodbye to the Nissan Cefiro: an experience that could have certainly been better if not for a rough start. Good thing the terms of parting is with happy faces.

What we reckon as the best looking Cefiro of them all is the original 1998 Nissan Cefiro Classic. Though it may not look like much on the outside, this is one capable car.

The face may be bland, but the overall styling of the Nissan Cefiro outclasses several cars in its class, most notably the Toyota Camry.

The main reason to buy the Nissan Cefiro is to enter the world of the VQ V6 engine: one of the ten best engines in the world, and there's no doubt as to why.

NEXT PAGE >>>