Used Nissan SUVs offer the best mix of affordability, comfort, and reliability. With Nissan offering a handful of options, none of them are made equal, and that’s what we want to highlight. We’ll be doing a used Nissan SUV breakdown so you know what to expect, and to help you get what you need.
Key Takeaways:
- The Ariya is the best of the battery-powered models.
- If you need 8 seats, then the Pathfinder will be what you’re looking for.
- No matter the trim, they’re all reliable in their ways, perfect for every driver.
Ariya
Being such a new model, this one will be some of the hardest to find, but if you do, then you’re in for a treat. Unlike the bulk of the lineup, this one is a battery-powered compact crossover SUV. If you’re looking for a model with the most range, then consider one equipped with the 87 kWh battery. This will allow you to travel up to 304 miles on a single charge.
This model comes equipped with Nissan's Safety Shield 360 system. This comes with the ProPILOT driver assistant system, while some models will come with the 2.0 system that comes with hands-free driving.
Kicks
The Kicks debuted in 2016, and it took some time to find its footing. In the first few years, the model comes with a standard touchscreen audio system with Bluetooth for hands-free calling and wireless stereo audio streaming, as well as USB integration and a rearview backup camera display. But if you find a higher-end trim, then you can look for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration.
Starting in 2021, the Kicks got even better. This was done by upgrading the infotainment system, now coming with a larger 8-inch screen, with phone connectivity coming as the standard feature.
Moving on to the next generation, the Kicks can be found with a larger 12.3-inch screen as an optional feature, giving you something to hunt for if you want the best features available. You can also find some models that are equipped with a wireless charging pad, as well as optional heated front seats.
Leaf
Moving on to the Leaf, this is another battery-powered vehicle, which gets 151 miles per charge, which is considerably less than other models. While this isn’t the most range, it does come with some great features too.
Some features that you can look for, even if they are optional, are Propilot Assist, which is a lane centering system, and even one-pedal braking. This makes it so that all you have to do is take your foot off the gas, and the vehicle will begin to slow down to a stop.
Starting in 2019, the Leaf Plus began to be offered. This was built on the Leaf platform and gave it more range. The Leaf Plus came with a max range of 226 miles, bringing it closer to the Ariya.
Murano
The Murano has the distinction of being the first vehicle in this list to offer a hybrid variant. This was introduced in 2016 and came with some decent ranges. This engine was a 2.5L inline-4 and is able to get 29 MPG combined, making it a great option for those who still prefer gas engines but want a bit more.
With the first few years being rather bland, there were some changes in the back half of the generation, starting in 2019. These changes saw cosmetic changes, and in 2020, the line saw some additions to safety features. The new standard features are Nissan Safety Shield 360, which comes with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and high-beam assist.
In 2021, the Nissan Safety Shield 360 became standard on all trims. Over the next few years, the rest of the changes were mostly cosmetic once again.
Pathfinder
When the most recent generation came out, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was standard, but for the higher-end trims, you can find a larger 9-inch touchscreen with wireless phone connectivity. If you find yourself looking at a Platinum trim, you’ll be able to enjoy a 10.8-inch heads-up display, making it easy to keep an eye on the road.
This generation also brought 8-passenger seating, which is a first for the model. If that isn’t your thing, you can look for bucket seats for the second row, making it more comfortable for 7 passengers.
For 2023 models, the Rock Creek edition was added. This brought off-road capabilities to the Pathfinder line. This brought an off-road suspension and a new Baja Storm exterior color. This also had an available wireless charging pad, making it easy to keep your immediate area clear of wires.
Armada
Debuting in 2017, this model came with a 5.6L V8, producing 390 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque. While this engine is powerful, it lacks a bit of mileage. This engine got 16 MPG combined, making it not the best, but also not the worst.
In 2021, the model saw a refresh, this saw the addition of a wider infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto along with a wireless smartphone charger standard. Nissan's Safety Shield 360 also became a standard feature, making it one of the safest vehicles on the market at the time.
Hitting the roads in 2021, this generation came with some of the best features available. If you find yourself looking at a Platinum model, you’ll find that it comes with heated rear seats and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it well-equipped.
No matter the trim, you’ll find that it will come with either an 8 or 9-inch screen, making it on the larger side. While the model initially released with a 2.5L I4, it was quickly dropped for the 1.5L I3. This is thanks to the 1.5L getting 33 MPG combined, making it a great option for a family vehicle for soccer moms all over.
So, which used SUV the best?
When it comes to the best, there are a few metrics that we can look at. For the best mileage, we think the Ariya takes that title, but if you’re looking for seats, then the Pathfinder is a great option. No matter what you need, come on down to Car2Sell here in East Windsor for more info today!