NISSAN SUV MODELS RANKED BY POPULARITY

Nissan has undergone a major brand refresh over the past few years. Aside from the launch of its latest all-electric vehicle, the Nissan Ariya, several Nissan truck and SUV models have also been introduced to the US market as part of the many efforts the Japanese brand is attempting to stay competitive among other Japanese rivals, along with those from Korea, Germany, and the Americas. As with many automakers, the bulk of Nissan sales come from SUV models, but which ones are most popular? Let's find out, starting with the slowest-selling Nissan SUV and working our way up to the Japanese brand's most popular model.

Nissan Armada

8,833 Units Sold

Full-size, three-row SUVs continue to be a popular segment in the US, but the Nissan Armada has been struggling a bit in the past year, selling just 8,833 units for the first half of 2024. One of the possible explanations for this is the second-generation Armada's aging design, which shows even after a midlife refresh done for models released after the 2021 model year.

The Armada is still a solid full-size SUV with a potent 5.6L V8 engine under the hood, ample storage room with seating for up to eight occupants, and, thanks to its underpinnings, great off-road ability. But newer rivals feature more cabin technology and comforts onboard, and more modern designs that appeal to the current buyers' market. In addition, the Armada lacks a diesel powertrain that is highly desired among full-size SUVs - which is offered on more popular GM SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade.

Nissan is also preparing to replace the second-generation Armada with a fully redesigned model for the 2025 model year. Details known include a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine that offers more power and torque than the outgoing V8, adaptive air suspension, and an off-road-focused Pro-4X trim that should make the new Armada a worthy contender for overlanding customers.

Nissan Murano

9,139 Units Sold

The current generation Nissan Murano has remained part of the product range for several years. Even as one of the oldest models in the Nissan US model lineup, the Murano has sold 9,139 units to the present date, although this is significantly down on sales over the same period in 2023.

While it is a decent midsize crossover that offers premium quality, the Murano's age is very apparent inside and there are far more modern crossovers that are better value for money from other brands, including Nissan's luxury marque Infiniti. Despite its outdated platform and interior design, the Murano remains one of the last Nissan models on sale today with their signature 3.5L naturally-aspirated VQ series V6 engine, which will likely be phased out altogether when the replacement for the Murano arrives.

Nissan Ariya

9,345 Units Sold

The first new Nissan SUV with a fully electric powertrain, the Ariya arrived in the US market for the 2023 model year, aiming to rival other electric SUVs like the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang E-Mach, and Kia EV6 - a highly competitive segment even to this day. The Ariya has sold 9,345 units in the first half of 2024, which is a solid increase from sales over the same period in 2023, just as it entered the US market. The sales numbers for the Ariya show Nissan's electric SUV is gaining traction among buyers compared to other Japanese electric SUV models that rival it, such as the Honda Prologue and Toyota bZ4X. The Ariya still needs to remain competitive with the Korean Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, but Nissan is proving it can offer a decent candidate from the Japanese brands.

Nissan Kicks

32,991 Units Sold

Looking at Nissan SUV prices, the subcompact Kicks is the cheapest Nissan SUV currently on sale, with 32,991 units sold for the first half of 2024. The Kicks made its debut in North America for the 2018 model year, serving as a direct successor to the Nissan Juke. Since its launch, the Kicks has proven to be popular among first-time car buyers, young adults, and other people needing an affordable subcompact car with great visibility or practicality. With an MSRP starting just above $20k for entry-level 2024 models, the Kicks is also one of the most affordable compact SUVs in the US.

The Nissan Kicks is due to receive an all-new model for the 2025 model year. It will feature an all-new design, a more powerful four-cylinder engine, and, for the first time in the US market, optional all-wheel drive (the preceding Kicks was available with AWD but limited only to models sold in Japan). With how popular the subcompact and entry-level crossover segment is and the demand for affordable new cars, the new Kicks should prove just as successful in sales numbers.

Nissan Pathfinder

39,566 Units Sold

The current Nissan Pathfinder is one of the best-performing Nissan SUVs by sales for the first half of 2024, selling 39,566 units. It also makes our list as the best-selling crossover SUV in Nissan's current lineup with three-row seating for up to eight occupants - proving popular with families and buyers for this SUV segment.

This Nissan SUV benefited from a significant overhaul to move it miles ahead of its predecessor, which was subject to criticism from the automotive press and owners due to reliability issues with its automatic CVT (continuously variable transmission), a less appealing design that shifted away from its utilitarian roots, and outdated cabin technology. The fifth-generation Pathfinder remains an unibody crossover SUV, but now features an exterior that shares traits from its truck siblings, a handsome cabin, and significantly, replaces the CVT transmission with a ZF-sourced automatic. A 3.5L VQ-series V6 remains the only powertrain available, sending power to either the front or all four wheels. The combination of Nissan's trademark V6 engine, combined with a traditional automatic transmission and more truck-like qualities, has allowed the Pathfinder to restore some of the appeal that made it attractive to previous Pathfinder buyers.

Nissan Rogue

141,160 Units Sold

The most successful Nissan SUV from the latest sales figures alone is the Nissan Rogue - over 141,160 units were sold in the first half of 2024, nearly matching the figures achieved in the first half of 2023. The compact SUV received a major refresh for the second generation, sporting a new body, interior design, and more in-car technology onboard. The Rogue still has the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V as key rivals in the crossover SUV segment. The Toyota RAV4 over the same period remains the best-selling model - with 248,295 units sold in the first half of 2024. The CR-V follows second, selling 196,204 units in the same period.

2024-09-14T06:51:11Z dg43tfdfdgfd