Staying on top of what’s going on and what’s new in the auto industry takes some work. There are so many models released every year, with old favorites coming back, updated features on established vehicles, major revisions on all-new generations, and even completely new models we’ve never seen before. Whether you’re shopping for a vehicle or simply like to know what’s available at your local Nissan dealership, it can be tricky to keep track of everything out there.
Fortunately for you, I’m here to go over the hottest crossovers and SUVs that you’ll find at your Nissan dealership. There are six vehicles here to check out, and you should be able to find them at your local dealership – though supply could be limited, and one of them won’t be available until a little later this year. Still, if you’re interested in what’s going on in the SUV market – particularly in terms of the reliable models Nissan has to offer, then this is for you.
The 2021 Nissan Kicks
Let’s kick things off (you’re welcome) with the 2021 Nissan Kicks, which is the most affordable SUV option you’ll find at your favorite Nissan dealership. The Kicks is a subcompact crossover model, so it’s quite small, which makes it a great option if you want the functionality of an SUV but need something that can fit into a modest lifestyle. Despite its small stature, however, it’s still a lot of fun to drive, with 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque.
The Kicks has seating for up to five people in two rows, with about 94 cubic feet of total passenger volume. In terms of cargo, its small size definitely doesn’t allow it to handle as much stuff as its larger siblings, but it still offers about 25 cubic feet of rear cargo area and about 32 cubic feet of total cargo volume behind the front seats. Starting at just $19,500 MSRP, the Nissan Kicks is a great option for anyone looking to switch from a sedan or hatchback to a small crossover.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
A bit larger than the Kicks, the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is a great option if you want something with more room inside and greater performance, without going too large. This is a small crossover SUV that’s perfect for long road trips, thanks to an estimated 25 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. It’s also a lot of fun to drive, offering up to 141 hp and up to 147 lb-ft of torque when you’re behind the wheel.
Much like the Kicks, the Rogue Sport has two rows of seating and safely fits up to five passengers with 96 cubic feet of passenger volume in total. Although this is still a small option that’s great for a modest lifestyle, it’s a bit larger in size to give you more interior space. While the Rogue Sport only has about 23 cubic feet of cargo volume in the rear, you get more than 61 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats down. Starting at just $23,860 MSRP, the Rogue Sport is a great option for a wide range of drivers.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue
Not to be confused with the Rogue Sport, the 2021 Nissan Rogue is also a compact option, but it gives you more space inside than the Rogue Sport. This is an amazing option if you want excellent fuel economy without sacrificing performance, as it gets an estimated 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. That’s with an engine that delivers up to 181 hp and up to 181 lb-ft of torque for a quick, nimble ride.
Inside, you once again get seating for up to five people in two rows, though the Nissan Rogue offers more than 105 cubic feet of interior passenger volume. You also get a lot more cargo space with the Rogue: about 36 cubic feet of rear storage space and more than 74 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats down. This is a great overall option at a Nissan dealership and starts at just $25,750 MSRP.
The 2021 Nissan Murano
If you want a midsize crossover model without going too big, then the 2021 Nissan Murano is a fantastic option. It’s certainly the biggest of Nissan’s five-passenger models, but it doesn’t go overboard. And with a standard V6 engine that delivers 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, it’s also a lot of fun to drive.
Even though this is a larger model than the other ones we’ve looked at, it still has seating for up to five people and more than 108 cubic feet of total passenger volume. This model has about 32 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the rear and 67 cubic feet of total cargo volume with the rear seats down, plus it can tow up to 1,500 lbs when properly equipped. The Murano starts at $32,510 and is a terrific option that’s neither too-big nor too-small.
The 2021 Nissan Armada
For drivers looking for something demonstrably larger, then there’s the 2021 Nissan Armada and everything it has to offer. This is a full-size model with a lot of power thanks to a 5.6L V8 engine that delivers 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. That gives you great performance and allows this SUV to tow up to 8,500 lbs – more than many pickup trucks can handle.
The Nissan Armada has three rows of seating for either seven or eight passengers, depending on if you choose a model with a second-row bench seat or pair of captain’s chairs. Since this is a full-size model, you get a lot more interior space: about 16 cubic feet of rear cargo space, nearly 50 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the second row of seats, and a total of more than 95 cubic feet of space behind the front row. Starting at $52,600 MSRP, the Armada is a great option if you want something larger from your local Nissan dealership.
The 2021 Nissan Ariya
Finally, we have the Ariya, which will be available later this year at your Nissan dealership. This is Nissan’s first all-electric crossover SUV, and it’s absolutely gorgeous, building on everything they’ve learned with the popular Nissan LEAF over the last decade. It has a stunning interior that feels open and elegant, with touches of refinement and sophistication throughout.
Plus, in terms of performance, it’s on the cutting edge of what Nissan has to offer: a dual-motor e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system provides incredible acceleration and up to 389 hp. And with an e-Pedal that lets you accelerate and slow with a single pedal, driving the Ariya is fun and exhilarating in equal measure. The new ProPILOT ASSIST 2.0 system offers hands-off single-lane driving and hands-on guided lane changes, with much more to come with the all-new Ariya. This is the one I’m most excited about this year.
Something Missing?
If you’re familiar with Nissan’s lineup in general, then you might’ve noticed that the popular Nissan Pathfinder was missing from this review. That’s because Nissan has decided to skip the 2021 model year for the Pathfinder – you can still find it at your local Nissan dealership, but it’s going to be a 2020 model. An all-new generation for the Pathfinder is going to kick off in 2022; rather than put effort into a few minor changes to justify a 2021 model, Nissan decided to focus on the major redesign for next year. So what do you think? Does Nissan have a lineup that you’re excited about, or is there something more you’d like to see?
