When you think of an SUV, you think of a versatile vehicle that can get you where you need to go, provide plenty of seating room, and have extra storage space for whatever the day calls for. Nissan has proven itself to build and sell useful, reliable vehicles. Mostly, they are low-maintenance cars with good fuel efficiency. Nissan SUVs, whether new or used, have quite an affordable price tag for the average driver. Of course, you will not feel average when you are behind the wheel of an SUV like this. You will sit taller, have a better eye for what is ahead, and feel immaculate inside a comfortable, sleek interior.
There are new and used Nissan SUVs for sale, all fairly priced. It is important to know which SUV would be perfect for you and your needs, so let’s look into some of the different types, like the Armada and ARIYA. They are also super safe, and three Nissan SUVs–the Rogue, Murano, and Pathfinder–received the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ award in 2022. This means that most car insurance companies will be more likely to keep rates low on these models. Let’s dive into the different kinds of SUVs by Nissan and see what makes them so spectacular.
Used vs. New
There are substantial reasons for buying new rather than used. However, when it comes to Nissan, these cars truly hold their value, even after you drive them off the lot. Regardless of whether you buy used or new, the main goal is to have a functional vehicle that will reliably get you to your destination flawlessly and safely. Three SUVs that come to mind are the 2020 Nissan Kicks SV, the 2018 Nissan Rogue SV, and the 2018 Nissan Murano SL.
Used Picks
First, the 2020 Nissan Kicks SV has a 1.6L I-4 engine, generating 122 hp, 114 lb-ft of torque, and getting 31 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. Despite its small size, it can provide up to 53.1 cu.ft. of cargo space with the back seat folded down and 25.3 cu.ft. with seating for five. This can be a fantastic used car for those individuals or families looking for style and safety with splash guards, heated mirrors, and great traction for those rainy days. Expect to pay somewhere around $15,600 for a 2020 Kicks in good condition.
Next, the 2018 Nissan Rogue SV is still a wonderful car today. Its standard engine is a 2.5L I-4, offering 170 hp, 175 lb-ft of torque, and getting 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. An available option is a 2.0L I-4 hybrid. Both engines get similar horsepower at 176 hp, but improving fuel efficiency to 33 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive models (31/34 with all-wheel drive.) This car has up-to-date safety technology, like a Blind Spot Warning, to keep you protected on busy or slick roadways. Additional features include comfortable heated seats, a power liftgate, and keyless entry. With used prices averaging around $19.100, expect to pay less for a Rogue than many of its competitors, like the Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5.
Finally, the 2018 Nissan Murano SL comes with a powerful 3.5L V6 engine, producing an impressive 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. Being a larger model, it gets slightly less fuel efficiency, with 21 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. This SUV also features an extensive standard technology suite and includes fog lights and a remote start. You will have to dig around and do some research on the prices of all of these used cars, but most range between $17,000 and $19,000.
New Picks
Starting with the 2023 Armada, we have a rugged, modern design with a snug interior and all-new standard tech, beginning with the 12.3-inch color touchscreen display. With climate-controlled seating, you can relax while the tough exterior keeps the weather away and carry your cargo in up to 92.6 cu.ft. of space with the second and third-row seats folded down. With a standard 5.6L Endurance V8 engine, you will dominate the streets with 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque and will be able to tow a maximum of 8,500 lbs, all for a starting MSRP of $50,700.
The all-electric 2023 Nissan ARIYA has a starting MSRP of $43,190. It offers four different powertrain configurations, with 63 kWh and 87 kWh motors powering either the front axle or both. The most powerful configuration, with two 87 kWh motors, provides 389 hp and can go from 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds. The ARIYA comes with a vast amount of driver assistance technology, as well as a 12.3-inch touchscreen display that can connect wirelessly to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You would not want to miss a chance to test drive this powerhouse.
2023 Top Safety Pick+ Award Winners
The 2023 model year was an excellent one for Nissan when it comes to safety. This year, the Nissan Rogue, Pathfinder, and Murano earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, above and beyond the already impressive Top Safety Pick award. This means that each model earned a “good” rating in their updated crash tests, which involve 82 percent more energy than previous tests. That makes it much more difficult to achieve this rating. Additionally, these models also achieved advanced or superior performance in the new nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention test.
The Nissan Rogue performed admirably in the small overlap front crash tests on both the driver and passenger sides. Both the driver and passenger seats received “good” ratings in all measurement criteria. Even more importantly, the Rogue earned “superior” ratings in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian (day) tests. Nissan’s Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection avoided collisions with other cars and adults at 12 and 25 mph. While it reacted more slowly to children, who are smaller and more difficult to detect, it reduced the impact speed to just three mph at impact, which would result in only minor injuries, if any.
The Pathfinder achieved a “good” rating in every single area of the small overlap front crash tests, the best possible performance it could have. It almost completely avoided other vehicles and pedestrians in the front crash prevention tests, missing perfect performance only because of a one mph impact with a child. Finally, the Nissan Murano also aced the best tests that IIHS could throw at it. It earned almost perfect marks in the small overlap front impact tests for a “good” overall rating and achieved identical performance in the front crash prevention tests as the Pathfinder.
Which Nissan SUV Should You Choose?
Which Nissan is best for you depends on what you are looking for and your top priorities. If you are all about safety, try one of the three IIHS Top Safety Pick+ models: the Rogue, Pathfinder, and Murano. If you are looking for a powerful vehicle that can handle the city streets and off-roading, take a closer look at the Nissan Armada. If I had to choose, the Nissan Rogue would be my go-to for reliability, safety, and versatility. Whichever one of these you choose, you won’t go wrong.
