Nissan NX: Price, Mileage, Features, Specs, Variants, Engine, Interior, History & More

Brief Introduction of Nissan NX

The Nissan NX is a compact sports car that was produced by the Japanese automaker from 1990 to 1996. As a two-door front-wheel-drive coupe, the NX was developed to appeal to the youth market by offering a blend of sporty styling, nimble handling, and everyday usability. It was built on the Nissan B13 platform, sharing its underpinnings with the contemporary Nissan Sentra and Sunny models. The Nissan NX is noteworthy for its single, distinct generation which was marketed globally under different names, including the NX1600 and NX2000 in North America, the 100NX in Europe, and the NX Coupé in Japan and Australia. Its unique design, which often included a T-top roof option, and its reputation for being fun to drive, have made it a memorable model for enthusiasts.

Nissan NX Overview

Generations and History of Nissan NX

First Generation

The Nissan NX was introduced in 1990 as a successor to the Nissan Pulsar NX/EXA and the Sunny coupe lines. It was based on the reliable front-wheel-drive B13 platform, which also underpinned the Nissan Sunny and Sentra models of that era. Designed at Nissan Design International in San Diego, California, the NX featured a distinctive rounded, aerodynamic body with unique oval-shaped headlights. A standout feature for many models was the optional T-bar removable roof, allowing for an open-air driving experience. The car was a 2+2 coupe, though the rear seats were very small. The interior was driver-focused, with some Japanese models featuring digital speedometers. Engine options varied by market, including 1.5L, 1.6L, 1.8L, and 2.0L inline-four engines, paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The NX was a single-generation vehicle, with its production running until 1996.

Latest Generation

The Nissan NX was a single-generation vehicle and has been discontinued. It has no direct successor carrying the NX nameplate. The production of the Nissan NX ceased in 1996. In the Japanese market, it was succeeded by the Nissan Lucino, another compact coupe.

Nissan NX Facelifts and Yearly Updates

Nissan NX Variants and Features

The Nissan NX was sold under various names and trim levels globally. In North America, the primary variants were the NX1600 and the more powerful NX2000. The NX1600 was equipped with a 1.6L engine, while the NX2000 featured a 2.0L engine, a sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, and a limited-slip differential. Optional features for the American market included a T-top roof, air conditioning, and a power package with electric windows and locks. In Europe, the car was known as the 100NX and was available with 1.6L and 2.0L engines. A notable European variant was the 100NX SR, a lighter, more rigid hardtop model with a tuned 1.6L engine. Australia received the NX Coupé and the higher-spec NX-R. Both Australian models came with the 2.0L SR20DE engine. The NX-R added features like a front lip with fog lights, side skirts, a rear spoiler, alloy wheels, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows, and ABS. In Japan, it was the Sunny NX Coupé, available with a range of engines from 1.5L to 2.0L, with some models featuring digital dashboards.

Nissan NX Engine, Performance, and Driving Experience

The Nissan NX offered a range of inline-four engines. In North America, the NX1600 came with a 1.6-liter GA16DE engine producing around 110 hp. The high-performance NX2000 was equipped with the lauded 2.0-liter SR20DE engine, which delivered 140 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine, shared with the Sentra SE-R, was praised for its free-revving nature and smooth power delivery. Paired with a slick 5-speed manual transmission and a standard limited-slip differential, the NX2000 was celebrated for its exceptional handling, often regarded as one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars of its era. In other markets, engine options included a 1.5L GA15DS, a 1.6L GA16DS (carbureted), and a 1.8L SR18DE. The suspension was a front independent MacPherson strut setup with a rear parallel link strut design, providing a nimble and responsive ride. The NX2000’s firmer suspension and larger brakes further enhanced its sporty driving dynamics.

Nissan NX Pricing and Mileage

Upon its launch in the United States, the 1991 Nissan NX1600 had a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $11,090, while the more powerful NX2000 started at $12,970. By its final year in the US market, 1993, the starting prices had risen to $13,285 for the NX1600 and $15,920 for the NX2000. Fuel efficiency was a strong point for the NX. The 1.6L variants could achieve around 28 MPG in combined city/highway driving. The more performance-oriented 2.0L NX2000 had an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of about 23 MPG. Real-world owner reviews often report mileage in the high 20s to low 30s for both models. Due to its age, current resale values are relatively low, making it an affordable entry into the world of classic Japanese sports coupes. Maintenance costs are generally considered reasonable, benefiting from its shared parts with the high-volume Sentra.

Nissan NX Colors, Design, and Dimensions

The Nissan NX boasted a distinctive and futuristic design for its time, penned at Nissan’s design studio in California. Its rounded, “egg-like” silhouette and signature oval headlights made it stand out from the more angular designs of the late 1980s. A popular feature was the removable T-top roof, which added to its sporty appeal. The car was available in a variety of colors, including Vail White, Super Black, Aztec Red, Cherry Red Pearl, Slate Gray Pearl, and Yellow Pearl Metallic. The NX has a compact footprint with a length of around 4,135 mm (162.8 inches), a width of 1,680 mm (66.1 inches), and a height of about 1,315 mm (51.8 inches). It rides on a 2,430 mm (95.7-inch) wheelbase. Wheel sizes were typically 13-inch for the base models and 14-inch for the higher-performance variants.

Nissan NX Safety Features

• Airbags: A driver-side airbag was a notable standard safety feature for its time.
• ABS / EBD: Anti-lock brakes (ABS) were available, particularly on higher-trim models like the NX2000 in North America and the NX-R in Australia.
• Electronic Stability Control: Electronic Stability Control was not available on the Nissan NX.
• Crash Test Ratings: Official crash test ratings from major agencies like the NHTSA and Euro NCAP for the Nissan NX are not readily available, which is common for vehicles of this era.
• Other advanced safety systems: For its time, the inclusion of a standard driver-side airbag and available ABS were considered advanced safety features.

Nissan NX Infotainment and Connectivity

The infotainment and connectivity options in the Nissan NX were typical for an early 1990s vehicle. The standard audio system was a radio with a cassette player, with options for an upgraded sound system. Some models were available with a factory CD player, which was a premium feature at the time. The system powered a set of speakers, typically two or four depending on the trim level. There were no advanced connectivity features like Bluetooth, USB ports, or touchscreens, as these technologies were not available in mainstream vehicles during the NX’s production run. The dashboard layout was ergonomic, with straightforward controls for the audio and climate systems.

Nissan NX Owner Reviews & Ratings

Owners of the Nissan NX generally hold the car in high regard, frequently praising its fun-to-drive nature, reliability, and fuel efficiency. The responsive handling, particularly of the NX2000 with its SR20DE engine and limited-slip differential, is a consistent point of praise. The T-top roof is another beloved feature, offering an enjoyable open-air experience. However, there are common complaints associated with the car’s age. Rust is a significant issue, especially in regions with harsh weather. The T-top seals are known to leak over time, and some owners have reported issues with the 5-speed manual transmission’s fifth gear “popping out.” Despite these potential issues, many owners express a strong attachment to their NX, highlighting its unique character and the joy it brings to driving.

Nissan NX Comparison with Similar Cars

The Nissan NX competed in the burgeoning sport compact coupe market of the early 1990s. Its main rivals included the Mazda MX-3, the Honda CRX del Sol, and the Toyota Paseo. Against the Mazda MX-3, the NX2000 offered comparable or superior power from its 2.0L engine versus the MX-3’s available V6, and its handling was often lauded as sharper. The Honda CRX del Sol, also featuring a targa-style top, was a direct competitor in terms of open-air fun, but the NX2000 provided a significant horsepower advantage over the base Del Sol models. Compared to the Toyota Paseo, which was positioned as a more economical sporty coupe, the Nissan NX, especially in its 2000 guise, offered a much higher level of performance and handling prowess. The NX’s practicality was also a strong point, with its hatchback design offering more cargo flexibility than some of its rivals.

Nissan NX Awards and Recognition

• 1991 AJAC Canadian Car of the Year: The Nissan NX was named “Best New Coupe” by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) in 1991.

Interesting Facts about Nissan NX

• The Nissan NX’s distinctive ovoid design was created at Nissan’s design studio in San Diego, California, and was intended to have a “cute and casual” look to appeal to female drivers in North America.
• The high-performance NX2000 was held in such high regard for its handling that in 1992, Road & Track magazine included it in a test of the world’s best-handling cars, alongside supercars like the Acura NSX and Porsche 911.
• In Japan, some versions of the Sunny NX Coupé equipped with the 1.5-liter engine came with a futuristic digital speedometer.

Nissan NX Legacy and Influence

The Nissan NX, though produced for a relatively short period, left a lasting impression on the sport compact scene of the 1990s. It represented a successful formula of taking an economical sedan platform (the B13 Sentra/Sunny) and transforming it into a genuinely fun and engaging sports coupe. The NX2000, in particular, with its potent SR20DE engine and superb handling, became a cult classic among driving enthusiasts and amateur racers. Its unique styling, while polarizing at the time, has since become a hallmark of early 90s Japanese automotive design. The NX was a sales success in some markets and helped to solidify Nissan’s reputation for building affordable, reliable, and enjoyable driver’s cars. Though it was not a massive commercial success in all regions, its influence can be seen in the continued popularity of the sport compact segment and the enduring legacy of the SR20DE engine in motorsport.

Nissan NX Global Availability

The Nissan NX was a global car, sold in various markets under different names. It was manufactured at Nissan’s Oppama Plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan. In North America, it was available as the NX1600 and NX2000 from 1991 to 1993. European markets received the car as the 100NX from 1990 to 1996. In Japan, it was marketed as the Sunny NX Coupé from 1990 to 1994. Australia and New Zealand also received the car as the NX Coupé and the up-spec NX-R. All versions were available in right-hand or left-hand drive configurations depending on the market. While not a high-volume seller in all regions, its presence in major automotive markets worldwide made it a recognizable model of its era.

Nissan NX Maintenance and Ownership Costs

The Nissan NX is generally considered to have reasonable maintenance and ownership costs, largely due to its shared platform and mechanical components with the mass-market Nissan Sentra/Sunny. This parts commonality makes many routine maintenance items and spare parts relatively affordable and accessible. Typical service intervals are similar to other vehicles of the era, with regular oil changes and inspections recommended. As these cars have aged, common maintenance issues to be aware of include potential rust on the chassis and body, leaks from the T-top seals, and wear on transmission components, particularly the fifth gear synchronizer in manual models. Overall, for a classic sports coupe, the NX offers an affordable ownership experience, with good fuel economy helping to keep running costs down.

Final Words about Nissan NX

The Nissan NX stands as a charming and capable representative of the golden era of Japanese sport compacts. Its unique blend of quirky styling, practicality with its hatchback design, and genuinely entertaining driving dynamics created a car with a lot of character. While the base models offered a stylish and economical ride, the NX2000 delivered true “giant-killer” performance that could challenge more expensive sports cars of its day. Its affordability, both initially and on the used market, makes it an appealing choice for enthusiasts looking for a classic 90s driving experience. Though it was only in production for a single generation, the Nissan NX carved out a memorable niche for itself and remains a beloved and respected model among those who appreciate a well-engineered and fun-to-drive car.