Nissan from America: choosing the most profitable one

Nissan cars are valued for their design, technology, and quality of components. Most of the cars traveling around the USA have been assembled in the USA and Mexico. They have some differences from European ones - they have different names, equipment and, importantly, a more attractive price.

Here is the TOP 5 most popular Nissan models, which were most often driven from America to Georgia by Columbus customers in 2023. There are two main reasons for the popularity of these models among Georgians: firstly, you will save on buying a Nissan; secondly, such a machine will faithfully serve you for many years.

 
1. NISSAN LEAF (2019)

• Engine: electro, 147-214 h.p.

• Gearbox: no

• Drive: front

• Cruising range: up to 240-360 km (on one charge)

Nissan Leaf is perhaps the most popular electric car in our area. And not only our. The low price of the first generation, good safety ratings and availability in all states made this model No. 1 in the United States, a country where Tesla seemingly reigns supreme. 

Over time, the car, whose range at the dawn of the “era of electric cars” was only 117 km, acquired more powerful batteries. Now it confidently confronts such strong competitors as Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Kona Electric and Chevrolet Bolt.

Having undergone a complete redesign in 2017, the base 2019 Leaf offers a range of 240 km on a single charge. Yes, this is less than that of competitors, but range is not the only important characteristic of electric cars. Moreover, thanks to a larger capacity battery (62 instead of 40 kWh), the Leaf Plus model provides a range of 360 km. The engine of this car is also more powerful - 214 hp. instead of the “basic” 147 hp.

However, even the entry-level Leaf is a good choice, and 240 km is a normal range that can satisfy the needs of most car owners (travelling to/from work, visits to supermarkets, and so on). In addition, the car has high reliability of components and assemblies, as well as low maintenance costs. And finally, the price of the car is much lower than that of the Bolt, Kona and Model 3. 

The most balanced Leaf trim (two models) is SV. It features the intuitive NissanConnect infotainment system (IRS), which is not available on the base S trim. Optionally, SV was equipped with the same active safety and driver assistance systems as the top-end SL trim.

The SV has a 7-inch touchscreen display (instead of the 5-inch one in the S package), an audio system with 6 speakers (4 in the base one), satellite and HD radio, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, adaptive cruise control, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, navigation, a second USB port and a 6.6 kW portable on-board charger.

At extra cost, automatic high-beam headlights, an 8-way power driver's seat and various combinations of active safety systems and ProPilot Assist were installed.

Although the Leaf's power is 147 hp. and it is not overly impressive, the electric motor's instant torque delivery to the wheels helps the car accelerate quickly, both from a standstill and when overtaking on the highway. The combination of a low center of gravity and precise steering helps this car feel confident at high speeds. 
Nissan has only one drawback - awkward rear seats. At the same time, the Leaf has more trunk space than many of its fellows.

Cost for a used car in Georgia: from $18 000

Turnkey price with delivery from the USA: from $15,500

2. NISSAN KICKS (2020)

• Engine: 1.6 l, 122 h.p.

• Gearbox: CVT

• Drive: front

• Fuel consumption: 6.5 - 7.6 l/100 km (highway - city)

Marketers position the Nissan Kicks as a subcompact SUV. Actually, it is an exaggeration to call it like this. All-wheel drive for this model was not offered even as an option, and the ground clearance (170 mm) is only a centimeter higher than that of comparable hatchbacks. Nevertheless, there is a decent and stylish car. 

The Kicks has plenty of interior space and an easy-to-use 7-inch touchscreen. Surely owners will appreciate the low cost of owning a car and one of the best fuel economy indicators in its class.

In 2020, the car was produced in three standard trim levels: S, SV and SR. The base S trim has several active safety and driver assistance systems (including blind spot monitoring and rear parking sensors). There is no support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. To get it, you need to choose a higher configuration.

The SV trim includes keyless entry, automatic climate control, remote start, satellite radio, roof rails, heated mirrors and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The top-of-the-line SR trim includes such niceties as LED headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a surround-view camera system, imitation leather seat upholstery, and an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system (instead of the standard six).

Thanks to its small dimensions, Kicks easily maneuvers in traffic jams and parks on tight city streets. The suspension easily “swallows” road unevenness, the steering is moderately sensitive, and the interior is practical. There's plenty of trunk space, and the rear seats fold 60/40. The car has an attractive price/quality ratio and is perfect for constant use in the city.

By the way, the model turned out to be so successful that in 2023 it replaced the larger Rogue Sport (discontinued in December 2022) in the American Nissan line.

Cost for a used car in Georgia: from $13 500

Turnkey price with delivery from the USA: from $16 500

3. NISSAN ROGUE (2020)

• Engine: 2.5 l, 170 h.p.

• Gearbox: CVT

• Drive: front, all wheel

• Fuel consumption: 7.1 - 9.4 l/100 km (highway - city)

The Rogue SUV, compact by American standards (known in our country as the X-Trail), has been popular among Americans since its entry into the market in 2007. Since then, the model has experienced two reincarnations - in 2014 and in 2020 (model of 2021). Cars that had been produced before the fall of 2020 can now be bought much cheaper than the more recent heirs of the third dynasty.

The secrets to Rogue's popularity are simple. It has a comfortable and large interior, finished with high-quality materials even in the basic configuration, a spacious trunk with a proprietary Divide-N-Hide organizer, as well as a large number of standard safety systems and driver assistance features (in all trim levels).

There are three Rogue trims - S, SV and SL. When choosing, it is quite appropriate to choose the basic S. But still, the SV trim level that follows it is considered more balanced. It not only adds some useful features that are missing in the “base” (for example, heated front seats), but it can also show off optional improvements from the SL kit.

Nissan Rogue was equipped with only one engine option - a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with 170 hp, which has enough power in the city.

Thanks to the Nissan Xtronic continuously variable transmission, the car has good fuel economy indicators (especially considering the engine size). Even the all-wheel drive version consumes 9.5 liters of fuel per hundred in the city and 7.1 liters on the highway. Front-wheel drive models are even more profitable to operate.

While the Rogue isn't the most dynamic car, it is quite comfortable. It drives and brakes smoothly. Like many small SUVs, it maneuvers easily and does not roll when cornering. 

A good car for your money! 

Cost for a used car in Georgia: from $26 000

Turnkey price with delivery from the USA: from $22 000

4. NISSAN ROGUE SPORT (2020)

• Engine: 2.0 l, 1341 h.p.

• Gearbox: CVT

• Drive: front, all wheel

• Fuel consumption: 8.1 - 10.2 l/100 km (highway - city)

The automaker decided to take additional advantage of the popularity of the Nissan Rogue in the American car market and released a “smaller” version of the model - Rogue Sport (aka Qashqai). Despite their external similarity, Rogue and Rogue Sport are two different cars.

While the older brother claims to be an expensive car with elements of luxury in the interior, the Rogue Sport's strong point is practicality. The only thing the cars have in common is a spacious trunk. Despite its compact size, the Sport has more than enough space. Even in the rear there is a decent amount of headroom for adult passengers; There's more legroom than the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul.

In the Sport version, special attention is paid to safety: all three existing trim levels (S, SV and SL) came standard with a good set of Nissan Safety Shield 360 driver assistance features.

The base S trim will suit most buyers, as it has everything you need: keyless entry, IRS with a 7-inch touch screen, voice recognition and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto support, as well as Bluetooth, USB port, 4-speaker audio system, satellite radio, rear view camera, automatic high beam headlights, rear parking sensors.

Already included in the base is an autonomous emergency braking system (both forward and reverse), pedestrian detection, frontal collision warning & rear cross traffic, a blind spot monitoring system and lane departure warning.

The older SV and SL trim levels offer a slightly higher level of comfort. In particular, they include leather upholstery, roof rails, an electronic parking brake, a 360-degree parking camera system, power-adjustable seats and Nissan's Divide-N-Hide cargo system (trunk organizer). At the same time, they cost much more and no longer have such an excellent price/quality ratio as the base model.

With a 2-liter 141-horsepower engine (which is the same for all trim levels) and a CVT, the Rogue Sport does not have a sporty character. But it am quite confident on the road; thanks to the rigid suspension, it is stable when cornering. The steering cannot be called sharp, however, the crossover easily maneuvers in traffic jams and in tight parking lots. The brakes are well tuned and provide smooth stopping.

Overall, the car is decent and – considering the price tag – an excellent option for an inexpensive vehicle for every day.

Cost for a used car in Georgia: from $14 000

Turnkey price with delivery from the USA: from $17 000

5. NISSAN MURANO (2020)

• Engine: 3.5 l, 260 h.p.

• Gearbox: CVT

• Drive: front, all wheel

• Fuel consumption: 8.4 - 11.8 l/100 km (highway - city)

The mid-size Murano SUV stands out for its exterior even in the non-trivial Nissan lineup. In addition, it impresses with a powerful engine and a comfortable suspension.

Calling the Murano an SUV is a stretch, but it performs well where SUVs usually fail. Take the body design, for example. Thanks to its low aerodynamic coefficient, the car has impressive fuel economy figures. The V6 engine in combination with the Xtronic CVT is almost an ideal combination for the transmission. The strongest point of the model is its seats, which are perhaps not more comfortable than of the competitors.

Nissan released Murano in 2020 in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. The V6 engine, CVT and front-wheel drive are standard on all trims (with optional all-wheel drive).

Traditionally for Nissan, the basic trim is well equipped. But if all kinds of electronic assistants are important to you, it is better to choose SV. For lovers of feature packed cars we recommend SL and Platinum. The latter have expensive upholstery, a sunroof, an electrically adjustable steering column and other blessings of civilization.  

Standard equipment on the base S trim includes cloth seat upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen, IRS with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, a six-speaker audio system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, four USB ports, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera and alloy wheels.

The SV package adds power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote engine start, adaptive cruise control and rear parking sensors.

The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine has more than enough power (260 hp) for all driving scenarios, providing good acceleration both from a standstill and when overtaking on the highway. The car speeds up and drives smoothly, is stable on the road, and only rolls slightly in sharp turns. The steering is light and the transmission is almost inaudible, which is very rare for cars with CVT.

The only negative of the car is that the trunk is not as large as of its competitors. But when you remember that Murano's rivals are larger (and often have three rows of seats, making them cramped), this shortcoming seems minor. For most drivers, the 454-liter trunk is more than enough. 

Cost for a used car in Georgia: from $31 000

Turnkey price with delivery from the USA: from $27,000

 

Sources: Cars.usnews.com, Edmunds.com