When it comes to quality, Nissan can be a debatable brand. While some models are highly rated, others score low. Although the brand earned an average score of 7.2 from Edmunds and a 7.1 from Car and Driver, it’s a good idea to research the ratings for the specific Nissan model you’re interested in.

Nissan is popular with car buyers for its solid selection of cars, SUVs, and trucks—although they are best-known for affordable family sedans and hatchbacks. While they don’t quite stand up to competitors like Toyota or Honda, Nissan models like the Altima,

Pathfinder

, and Maxima still offer good safety and reliability ratings and have high resale value.

Thinking about buying a Nissan? Here with everything you need to know about the Japanese carmaker is

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expert and top-rated broker app

Jerry

. In this guide, we’ll cover some of Nissan’s more popular models, take a look at how they compare to the competition, and let you in on a tip to save on your

Nissan insurance costs

Are Nissans good cars?

Founded in 1933, Nissan is the second-largest Japanese automaker and the sixth-largest in the world. Its early models—which were originally manufactured under the name Datsun—quickly became popular in the US for their reliability and performance.

The automaker remains a top pick among US car buyers, with models like the Sentra,

Versa

, and Rogue selling well year after year. The Rogue was the seventh most popular car in the US in 2021, with 285,602 sold in that year alone.

Known mainly for affordable family cars, Nissan is often given high praise and good reviews, but some models—like the

Nissan Murano

—are pretty underwhelming.

Here's how Nissan’s 2022 models stack up with leading automotive press sources Edmunds and Car and Driver:

Model	Starting price	Vehicle type	Edmunds.com rating	Car and Driver rating
Altima	$25,775	Midsize sedan	7.6/10	8/10
Armada	$50,745	SUV	7.1/10	8/10
Frontier	$29,565	Midsize pickup	7.5/10	7.5/10
GT-R	$115,000	Sports car	7.4/10	7/10
Kicks	$21,025	SUV	7.4/10	7.5/10
Leaf	$28,425	Hatchback	7.9/10	6.5/10
Maxima	$38,865	Full-size sedan	7.4/10	8/10
Murano	$34,435	Crossover SUV	7.1/10	5.5/10
Pathfinder	$35,105	SUV	7.7/10	8/10
Rogue	$28,075	Compact crossover SUV	6.9/10	8/10
Sentra	$20,635	Compact car	7.3/10	6.5/10
Titan	$40,005	Full-size pickup	7.1/10	6.5/10
Versa	$16,205	Subcompact car	7.1/10	8/10

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Did you know? The Nissan GT-R can rip from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, and it currently holds the acceleration record for four-seat cars!

Are Nissans reliable?

In general, Nissan should be considered average in terms of reliability, earning a score of 51/100 in the 2021 Consumer Reports rankings. Coming in at #13 out of 26 car brands, Nissan is less reliable than brands like Mazda and Toyota, but more reliable than Audi and Lincoln.

In general, if a carmaker offers good warranties, uses high-quality materials that are inexpensive to replace, and doesn’t issue a lot of recalls, it is considered reliable.

The

Sentra

and the

Rogue

are among Nissan’s most reliable models, and Consumer Reports includes both of them in their top 10 picks of 2022.

MORE:

The 5 characteristics of a reliable car insurance company

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Are Nissans safe?

Nissan received high safety scores from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2021. In fact, the

Altima

Maxima

, Rogue, and Murano were all given IIHS’s highest-possible ranking: Top Safety Pick+.

In addition to performing well on crash tests, Nissan vehicles come equipped with driver-assistance technologies to help protect drivers on the road. Some of Nissan’s standout safety features include:

The ProPILOT Assist system, which automatically adjusts acceleration, braking, and steering based on traffic conditions.

The Safety Shield 360 system, which monitors traffic in front, behind, and on either side of the vehicle.

Automatic emergency braking, which applies the brakes in the event of an oncoming collision with a vehicle or pedestrian.

Rear cross-traffic alerts, which warn drivers of road obstacles when driving in reverse.

Blind-spot alerts, which use audio and visual cues to let drivers know when there’s a vehicle in their blind spot.

Electronic stability technology, which improves handling and gives drivers more control over the vehicle.

Here’s a rundown of

Nissan’s safety ratings

and recalls in 2021:

Model	NHTSA rating	IIHS rating	Recalls
Altima	5 out of 5	Good	1
Armada	5 out of 5	N/A	1
Frontier	4 out of 5	Good to Moderate	0
Kicks	4 out of 5	Good	0
Leaf	5 out of 5	Good to Moderate	0
Maxima	5 out of 5	Good	0
Murano	5 out of 5	Good	0
Pathfinder	5 out of 5	Good with average head restraints and seats	0
Rogue	4 out of 5	Good	5
Sentra	5 out of 5	Good	1
Titan	4 out of 5	Good with poor headlights	2
Versa	5 out of 5	Good	1

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MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings

Are Nissans expensive to maintain?

According to RepairPal, Nissan drivers generally spend around $500 on repairs each year. Since the average yearly cost for car repairs is $652,

Nissans should be considered affordable to maintain

. You can reduce your yearly repair costs by following the maintenance schedule included in your owner’s manual.

The Nissan with the most complaints on CarComplaints.com is the Altima, with 5,147 complaints. Modern Altimas are considered pretty reliable cars, but the 2013 and 2014 Altimas had some major transmission problems that caused their owners a lot of trouble.

MORE:

Are Nissans good on gas?

A 2021 report from the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

gave Nissan an overall average combined fuel economy of 24 mpg, and several models achieve over 30 mpg. Nissan aims for even better fuel efficiency in the future with the development of its e-Power technology. These engines, while designed for gas-powered cars, are capable of performance comparable to electric vehicles.

Here are the EPA’s 2021 fuel economy ratings for Nissan models:

Model	City	Highway	Combined
Altima	28 mpg	39 mpg	32 mpg
Armada	14 mpg	19 mpg	16 mpg
Frontier	18 mpg	24 mpg	20 mpg
Kicks	31 mpg	36 mpg	33 mpg
Leaf	123 mpg	99 mpg	111 mpg
Maxima	20 mpg	30 mpg	24 mpg
Murano	20 mpg	20 mpg	23 mpg
Pathfinder	21 mpg	27 mpg	23 mpg
Rogue	24 mpg	30 mpg	27 mpg
Sentra	29 mpg	39 mpg	33 mpg
Titan	16 mpg	21 mpg	18 mpg
Versa	32 mpg	40 mpg	35 mpg

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It’s not surprising that Nissan’s electric vehicle, the

Nissan Leaf

, is the most eco-friendly car in the lineup.

But other models, like the

Kicks

and the Versa, also offer impressive fuel economy despite being fitted with combustion engines. On the other hand, larger vehicles like the

Armada

Titan

require more powerful engines that use more gas.

MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car

Are Nissans fun to drive?

Nissans are better known for high safety ratings and affordable price tags than performance, but they generally offer smooth rides that keep drivers comfortable.

If you’re looking for fun, however, the Nissan Maxima comes with a 300-horsepower V6 engine and a sport-tuned suspension that allows for tighter turns and more responsive driving than the rest of the lineup. It can go from

0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds

, which is pretty fast for a full-size sedan!

Of course, if you really want to tear up the road, there’s always the Nissan GT-R that can fly from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.9 seconds. It’s got a twin-turbo V6 with a whopping 565 or 600 horsepower depending on the model you drive, an adjustable suspension, and even includes active sound cancellation to dampen the roar of its engine. But with a starting price of around $115,000, the GT-R isn’t for the faint of heart.

MORE:

Should I buy a sports car?

What’s the best Nissan?

Choosing the best Nissan comes down to your budget and your personal preference when it comes to things like vehicle size, vehicle type, cargo space, gas mileage, and other factors. That said, there are a few models in Nissan’s lineup that stand out from the crowd:

Nissan Versa: If you want great fuel economy and a smooth ride, but need a budget-friendly car that isn’t boring to look at, the Nissan Versa may be right for you. A generous selection of driver-assistance options gives Versa an edge over the competition.

Nissan Maxima: The Nissan Maxima is a full-size sedan that’s got some extra oomph to it. A high-powered engine, modern tech conveniences, and smooth handling add a little fun to a dull morning commute.

Nissan Kicks: An SUV for people on a conservative budget, the Nissan Kicks offers plenty of cargo space and a suspension that’s tuned for a comfortable ride. A starting price of just $21,025 makes it one of the most affordable SUVs on the market.

MORE:

Car loan for Nissan 2022

How to find affordable Nissan car insurance

Nissan drivers usually pay around $1,898 a year for

car insurance

, but your exact rate will be based on the model and age of your car, your driving record, and other factors. To make sure you get the lowest rate possible, shop with

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FAQs

Is Toyota better than Nissan?

Toyota is one of the world’s most reliable car brands, and it does get better reliability ratings than Nissan. However, Nissan offers more lower-cost vehicles than Toyota does, so if staying within your budget is a high priority, Nissan may be a better option.

Do Nissan cars last long?

Nissan cars are about average as far as reliability goes, and some models are more reliable than others. No matter what kind of Nissan you own, you can extend the life of your car by taking it for regular maintenance checks.

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