Should You Buy a Nissan Crossover?

Nissan offers four stylish crossovers for the 2022 model year, and has plans to launch a fully electric option in the fall.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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Whether you go for the cheap and cheerful
Kicks
, the rugged
Rogue
(or slightly more affordable
Rogue Sport
), the uniquely luxury
Murano
, or hold out for the all-electric Ariya—you can’t go wrong with a
Nissan
crossover. 
Crossovers offer the passenger seating, legroom, and cargo space of an SUV—but tend to be less bulky, less expensive, and much better on gas. And if you’re shopping for a crossover for you and your family, Nissan is a great way to go. 
But how can you choose the best Nissan crossover for you? With a little help from your personal
car insurance
broker,
Jerry
! We’re not just a coverage comparison
super app
—we’re also an expert in everything crossover-related, and our handy Nissan crossover guide contains everything you need to know to pick the perfect vehicle. 

What crossovers does Nissan have?

In addition to a variety of sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks, Nissan currently has four crossovers in their 2022 lineup, with a fifth option due to launch late fall.
Take a look at the five diverse vehicles:
Model
Starting price
Type of crossover
Edmunds.com rating
Car and Driver rating
2022 Nissan Kicks
$21,285
Subcompact crossover
7.4/10
7.5/10
2022 Nissan Rogue
$28,445
Compact crossover
8.0/10
8/10
2022 Nissan Rogue Sport
$24,760
Compact crossover
6.9/10
N/A
2022 Nissan Murano
$34,605
Mid-size crossover
7.1/10
5.5/10
2022 Nissan Ariya
$47,125
All-electric compact crossover
N/A
N/A
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What’s the difference between crossovers and SUVs?

The basic difference between a crossover (sometimes called a CUV) and SUV is simple—crossovers are built on a car chassis, while SUVs are built on a truck chassis. This means that, in general, crossovers are a bit smaller and less powerful compared to their SUV counterparts. However, they also tend to be more affordable and much better on gas.
On Nissan’s website, you’ll see all of the crossovers and SUVs listed in the same place. This is mostly just for marketing purposes and to avoid confusion—the crossovers and SUVs are slightly different! 

How powerful are Nissan crossovers?

When shopping for a crossover, power matters—especially if you hope to tow something behind your vehicle, or take it off road. 
But not all Nissans are created equal—in fact, they’re quite diverse! Here’s how each CUV stacks up:
Model
Horsepower
Torque
Towing capacity
2022 Nissan Kicks
122 hp
114 lb-ft
Not recommended for towing
2022 Nissan Rogue
201 hp
225 lb-ft
1,500 lbs
2022 Nissan Rogue Sport
141 hp
147 lb-ft
1,350 lbs
2022 Nissan Murano
260 hp
240 lb-ft
1,500 lbs
2022 Nissan Ariya
238 - 389 hp
221 - 442 lb-ft
1,500 lbs
If you want to pull heavy loads and/or take your Nissan off-road, then you’ll have to go with the powerful Rogue or Murano (or hold out for the upcoming Ariya). However, if your crossover will serve primarily as a way to get your family from point A to point B, then the affordable Kicks and Rogue Sport are both quality options. 
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Are Nissan crossovers good on gas?

If you’re carting your family around town, then fuel efficiency is probably on the top of your mind. In general, crossovers tend to be far more fuel efficient than bulky SUVs—but each model will vary depending on its size and its engine.
Take a look at the ratings for each Nissan:
Model
City
Highway
Combined
2022 Nissan Kicks
31 mpg
36 mpg
33 mpg
2022 Nissan Rogue
30 mpg
37 mpg
33 mpg
2022 Nissan Rogue Sport
25 mpg
32 mpg
28 mpg
2022 Nissan Murano
20 mpg
28 mpg
24 mpg
Nissan has some pretty predictable stats—the bigger the crossover, the lower the fuel efficiency. But fuel efficiency in the mid-20s to low-30s is still nothing to sneeze at! You’ll certainly be able to go from the school pickup line to soccer practice several times a week before needing to gas up.
As for the anticipated all-electric Ariya, its fuel economy has not yet been rated—but you can expect an extended range of up to 300 miles per single charge, depending on which trim level you choose.

Are Nissan crossovers safe?

In general, Nissan crossovers are quite safe, each earning a safety rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). 
Take a look at just some of the most desirable safety features that every 2022 Nissan is equipped with:
  • Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
  • Rear Automatic Braking
  • Blind Spot Warning
  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • High Beam Assist
Here’s the full breakdown of ratings and recalls for Nissan’s 2022 crossover lineup:
Model
NHTSA rating
IIHS rating
Recalls
2022 Nissan Kicks
4/5
Good
0
2022 Nissan Rogue
4/5
Good
1
2022 Nissan Rogue Sport
Not been rated
Good
0
2022 Nissan Murano
5/5
Good
0
2022 Nissan Ariya
Not been rated
Not been rated
N/A

Are Nissan crossovers reliable?

RepairPal
gives Nissan a 4.0/5.0 for reliability, ranking it 9th out of 32 brands—which isn’t too shabby!
Average annual repair costs for all models of Nissans are around $500, which is well below the $652 average for all vehicles. Keep in mind that this average includes pickup trucks, which are generally more expensive to repair, as well as sedans, which are generally cheaper.
If Nissan’s overall dependability hasn’t got you sold, note that almost every Nissan comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, and a 5-year limited powertrain warranty. These numbers are pretty standard, but—for enhanced protection—Nissan also offers optional extended warranties
Key Takeaway Adequately high-reliability ratings, low maintenance costs, and options for extended warranties make Nissan crossovers pretty dependable vehicles.

Which Nissan crossover is best?

Choosing the perfect Nissan crossover is really up to you. You’ll have to consider your budget, family size, driving habits, and personal preferences. If we have to recommend just one Nissan crossover, however, we choose the 2022 Nissan Rogue. 
With a starting MSRP of just under $30,000, the Rogue is in the middle of the pack in terms of price point, but still very affordable. You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck though, including plenty of power for mild off-roading and towing. 
You’ll also enjoy attractive styling, modern technology, a spacious cabin, generous cargo space, and a smooth ride. Overall, the Rogue offers drivers a little bit of everything! 
A different Nissan crossover may be better for you and your family, though: 
  • If you value cost-efficiency, then the hyper-affordable Kicks is a must.
  • If you value fuel efficiency, wait for the all-electric Ariya! 
  • If you value luxury, then the roomy Murano is the obvious choice.

The best way to save money on Nissan insurance

Nissan obviously offers some great crossovers, so you’re going to have to put quite a bit of thought into which is the best model for you. Fortunately, you won’t have to think nearly as hard when it comes to choosing a top-notch car insurance policy. At least, not if you shop with
Jerry
!
Jerry is the easiest and most effective way to find a car insurance policy that is customized for you.
After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
Jerry
was fast and easy to use. Their customer service was so helpful in helping me navigate the situation my state is dealing with. Now I’m saving an extra $100 every 6 months!” —Tony C.
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FAQs

Nissan currently has 4 crossovers available in their 2022 lineup, with a 5th all-electric option scheduled to debut in the fall.
Nissan crossovers offer pretty impressive gas mileage and respectable reliability, all at a relatively affordable price—making them a wonderful option for you and your family!
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