The second generation E51 Elgrand was launched in May 2002 and primarily competes with the
Toyota Alphard and
Honda Elysion. The Jumbo Taxi and Paramedic did not move to the new platform, instead remaining on the previous E50 chassis. The E51 Elgrand is quite different from its predecessor, now equipped with power sliding doors, turn signal repeaters built into the side mirrors, a rear roof spoiler, and 16- (XL) or 17-inch (HWS) aluminum alloy wheels. The new front fascia, with a chromed grille, gives the Elgrand a sportier look. The E51 was only available through Nissan dealerships in
Japan, with limited exports to
Hong Kong and
Brunei. The E51 is a popular
grey import vehicle in
Australia, the
United Kingdom,
Canada, and
New Zealand. The E51 Elgrand uses either the 2.5l or 3.5l
V6 VQ-series engine combined with a five-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic shift for better response. Additional transmission controls include Power and Snow settings, as well as a four-wheel drive option. It employs a multilink rear suspension with ventilated disc brakes all around. The Elgrand went on sale on 21 May 2002. Early Nissan Elgrand models include XL, X, VG (4/5-doors), V, and Highway Star Interior features include captain-style seats, an eight-speaker sound system with an optional nine-speaker system by
Bose Corp., and a TV/
DVD player with a screen. The Elgrand is also equipped with an eight-inch (203mm) LCD monitor in the dashboard for the Carwings Vehicle Information System (also known as VIS). Optional extras include heated front seats, power curtains and finer levels of interior trim, such as woodgrain trim panels and a woodgrain steering wheel. The interior seating arrangement can be configured for dining by adjusting the front captain-style seats facing the back, and folding the second row of seats flat onto the seat cushions. Like most newer models produced by
Nissan, the Elgrand comes with the "Keyless-go" feature for enhanced user convenience. Higher spec Elgrands like the Highway Star, Rider, X, and XL versions come with an internal
GPS system dedicated for use in Japan. An optional GPS system for
Hong Kong and
Guangdong Province in China was available. The GPS system was not a satellite-based system, but a disc-operated CarWings system that played off a concealed DVD player via tracking the position of the vehicle via wheel sensors, against an inputted start and end position of a journey with high accuracy. CD Discs were only ever created for Japan and direct export countries. But alongside this was the innovation of reversing camera with turning guidance lines, lane control and assisted braking. In 2008 this was updated to a
four-view camera technology that provided an aerial all-round view when reversing. Other innovations including voice-activated controls, BOSE Audio or 5.1 channel surround sound audio systems, auto voice-activated phone calls, and a satellite controlled clock. Options included cruise control, a multi-deck CD-player and BOSE all round 9-speaker stereo, as well as a TV set in the rear with a 7" LCD screen. There were also several windshield options available, ranging from a standard type through to a water repellent, laser-etched, tinted screen. The water repellent screens have a holographic sticker to identify this additional option. File:2002-2004 NISSAN ELGRAND rear.jpg|Pre-facelift Nissan Elgrand E51 (Japan) File:2002-2003 NISSAN ELGRAND Highway STAR.jpg|Pre-facelift Nissan Elgrand E51 Highway Star (Japan) File:2002-2003 NISSAN ELGRAND Highway STAR rear.jpg|Pre-facelift Nissan Elgrand E51 Highway Star (Japan) File:NISSAN Elgrand XL 2003 005.jpg|Interior of the 2003 (E51 pre-facelift) Elgrand, with
LCD screen. The model specifications were V, VG, X, and X. Later releases added the Highway Star and Rider versions. The bottom specification model was the V, whereas the top specification vehicle was the XL, with full leather interior. The 2006 refresh saw the discontinuation of the VG model. The Rider had two variations including an
Autech Tuned Nismo version.
Variants Nissan Elgrand, Autech Elgrand Enchante The early Elgrand Enchant models included VG, V, and Highway Star. All model ranges can be configured with a removable second-row seat or Step Type.
Elgrand XL This was the top of the range model, with many additional options fitted as standard. It came with a full leather 7-seat interior, 8 speaker sound system, which included Sony MiniDISC, keyless entry, Carwings, reversing camera, two TV screens, folding wing mirrors and heated driver and passenger seats. Out of the complete range of Elgrand, this was also very heavy at 2.2 tons. Rider versions being the lightest version as it was originally conceived as a sports model, so had a lot of the additional features removed in view of reducing the weight/power ratio for the vehicle.
Elgrand Rider The
Rider was a version of the Elgrand VG 5-door with front bumper was changed, front fog lamp, side sill protector, rear under protector, rear upper combination lamp, rear winker finisher, clear side turn lamp, leather-lined interior, Rider sound system (MD/CD integrated AM/FM electronic tuner radio, 6 speakers and subwoofer), 17-inch aluminum road wheels, 215/60R17 tires, large-diameter sports muffler by Fujitsubo, and low-height suspension. The Rider went on sale on 2 October 2002. The
Autech Rider S is sporty version from the 8-passenger Elgrand Rider with the front and rear bumper design was slightly changed, and the design of the special finisher was changed. The Elgrand Rider S went on sale on 22 October 2003. File:2002-2004 Nissan Elgrand Rider.jpg|Pre-facelift Nissan Elgrand Rider (Japan) File:2002-2004 Nissan Elgrand Rider rear.jpg|Rear view (pre-facelift)) File:Elgrand-Rider.jpg|Elgrand Rider (first facelift)
Autech Elgrand VIP It is a version of Elgrand XL 4-seat with leather-wrapped rear seat with centre armrest, electric slide step, trunk board with partition board, second seat long slide rail, rear-seat reading lamp with room lamp, rear-seat audio system (VHS+CD+DVD), electric ottoman, rear-seat audio speaker (6 speakers), electric outlet (AC100V, 100W), front cabinet, floor carpet, drawn-out table, black body colour. JDM models went on sale on 19 December 2002.
VG version L, Highway Star version L (2002–2003) VG version L and Highway Star version L are versions of the Nissan Elgrand VG and Highway Star, respectively, commemorating the sale of 250,000 units of the Nissan Elgrand in Japan since May 1997. Changes include a Carwings DVD TV/navigation system, 2 Intelligent Keys (driver side, passenger side, back door sensor), rear-view camera with car width and distance display (colour), Elgrand super sound system and 6 speakers (MD/CD integrated AM/FM electronic tuner radio, 160W, MD/CD autochanger connection), steering wheel controls for the audio, voice command, and hands-free phone, choice of 3 body colours: Champagne silver titan metallic, white pearl (3-coat pearl), black/sparkling silver metallic in VG version L; white pearl (3-coat pearl), sword metal metallic, diamond silver metallic in Highway Star version L. JDM models went on sale between 24 December 2002 and 31 March 2003.
Elgrand Highway Star update, Elgrand Enchante front row passenger Lift Seat Type (2003–2010) Change to Elgrand Highway Star include fully plated front grille, chrome colour coat aluminum road wheel, fog lamp surround in body colour, black steering wheel, suede tone cross-section seat floor Jacquard material in black, shift knob leather section in black, instrument panel centre cluster control panel in dark grey. New options include driver seat auto slide door for an intelligent key model, leather or Supplier (from Elgrand X)-upholstered seat.
Elgrand Enchant (2003) The Elgrand Enchant takes 8-passenger versions of the Elgrand V, VG, Highway Star, and X, and adds a mobility access seat in the second row. JDM models went on sale on 27 August 2003.
2004 first facelift The facelifted Elgrand went to sale in August 2004, the front grille and headlight units were integrated, the rear bumper and lighting designs were revised, and door mirrors with integrated turn signals became standard equipment. The rear combination lamps were separated into taillights and brake lights, and the brake lights were converted to LEDs. The interior was reshaped, with the instrument panel and dashboard, woodgrain panels in various parts, a fine vision meter with an illuminated ring, and chrome-plated switches. The facelifted Elgrand 2.5 available in the standard V model and the Highway Star equipped with aero parts, as well as the Autech's Rider and Rider S models. The facelifted Elgrand went on sale on 25 August 2004. The Elgrand models with 2.5-litre VQ25DE engine was added in December 2004 included V (8-seat), Highway Star (8-seat). The updated Elgrand Enchante was unveiled at the 2004 Tokyo Motor Show.
2007 second facelift Nissan announced the elgrand facelift and went on sale in October 2007. The Highway Star received a new design, adding a body-colored line to the center of the front grille. The "Around View Monitor" is as optional equipment on all variant. File:2006-2010 Nissan Elgrand.jpg|Facelift Nissan Elgrand E51 File:2004-2007 NISSAN ELGRAND Highway STAR.jpg|First facelift Nissan Elgrand E51 Highway Star (Japan) File:2007 Nissan Elgrand.JPG|Second facelift Nissan Elgrand E51 Highway Star (Japan) File:2007 NISSAN ELGRAND Highway STAR rear.jpg|Second facelift Nissan Elgrand E51 Highway Star (Japan) File:Elgrandinterior.jpg|Interior (first facelift) File:Elgrand-2007interior.jpg|Interior of the late 2007 (E51 second facelift)
Nissan Forum concept (2008) The Nissan Forum is a concept vehicle based on the E51 Nissan Elgrand, developed by Nissan Design America. It features trackless sliding side doors, hidden sunshades in SkyView moonroof panels, LED lights front and rear, soft-edged side outside mirrors, wide six-spoke alloy wheels and low-profile tires, a wide rear hatch, dual exhaust outlets, dual climate controls, Bluetooth wireless technology and mood lighting under the upper and lower console areas. It also has a console-mounted microwave, vertical wave pattern carpeting, "Turntable" seating, a Bose media system, and Around View Monitor. The design of the Forum would be later used on the R42H
Nissan Quest, the North American counterpart of the succeeding E52 Elgrand. The concept was unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. ==Third generation (E52; 2010)==