Who is Nissan?
Nissan is a Japanese carmaker headquartered in Yokohama. Its range includes everyday family cars, crossovers and SUVs, pickups, sports cars and electric vehicles. Nissan is part of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance.
The line-up spans small cars such as the Micra, family models such as the Sentra and Altima, SUVs such as the Qashqai and X-Trail, and pickups such as the Frontier and Navara. The Z, 350Z and 370Z are part of its sports-car story.
How has the Nissan range developed?
Nissan’s model history stretches from the 1980s to the present day. Sentra, Maxima, Pathfinder, Altima and Frontier are among its longest-running nameplates. The range has grown from saloons, hatchbacks and utility vehicles to include a broad selection of crossovers and SUVs.
In official EU registration figures, the Qashqai leads, followed by the Juke, Micra and X-Trail. The Note and Qashqai+2 also recorded substantial numbers in earlier years, while the Pulsar had a shorter run. Together, these models show the growing place of crossovers in Nissan’s European line-up alongside small and family cars.
Where does electrification fit?
The Leaf brought electric power to Nissan’s passenger-car range, followed later by the Ariya crossover. The e-NV200 extended electric drive to a van-based people carrier and commercial vehicle. Earlier electric models included the Altra EV and Hypermini.
Electric models sit alongside Nissan’s SUVs, saloons, pickups, sports cars and vans. The Leaf and Ariya show how the company has brought electric drive to both conventional passenger-car and crossover shapes.
Where are Nissan models sold?
Nissan models are represented in the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada. The line-up varies by market: Rogue and Sentra are familiar in North America, while Qashqai and Juke are prominent in Europe. The Leaf is sold across several regions.
Fuel economy and emissions figures depend on the test procedure. European figures use WLTP or, for older vehicles, NEDC; the United States uses EPA testing, and Canada uses the 5-cycle method. Results from these systems are not directly comparable.
Questions and answers
What is Nissan best known for?
Nissan makes a broad range of vehicles, including crossovers such as the Qashqai, family cars such as the Sentra and Altima, sports cars such as the Z, and electric cars such as the Leaf.
Which Nissan models lead EU registrations?
The Qashqai leads the listed models, followed by the Juke, Micra and X-Trail. The Note, Leaf, Qashqai+2 and Pulsar also appear in the EU registration figures.
Which Nissan models are electric?
The Leaf and Ariya are electric passenger cars, while the e-NV200 is a van-based electric model. Nissan also made earlier electric models such as the Altra EV and Hypermini.
Can I compare Nissan fuel economy figures across countries?
Take care when comparing them: Europe uses WLTP or NEDC, the United States uses EPA testing, and Canada uses the 5-cycle method. These procedures produce figures that are not directly comparable.