Nissan: complete list of cars with characteristics and model history

When it comes to Japanese cars, Nissan is one of the first brands that come to mind. The company, founded in 1933, has produced more than 200 different models, from compact hatchbacks to powerful SUVs and sports coupes. But how to make sense of this diversity? Especially if you are faced with choosing a new car or are simply interested in the history of the automobile industry.

In this article we have collected complete up-to-date list of all Nissan brands, including both legendary models of the past (Skyline, Silvia), and modern bestsellers (Qashqai, Ariya). You will learn which cars are produced today, which have already become a rarity, and how not to get confused in the designations (for example, why NP300 And Navara - it's the same thing). And for those who are planning a purchase, we have added unique comparison table for price, fuel consumption and reliability.

Nissan brand history: from Datsun to global leadership

Few people know, but the first name of the company sounded like Datsun - that was the name of the cars produced in 1931–1932. Only in 1934 the name appeared Nissan, derived from the abbreviation Nippon Sangyo (“Japanese Industry”). Interestingly, until the 1980s, in export markets (including the USSR), cars were sold under the brand Datsun, and the transition to Nissan took almost a decade.

Key milestones in history:

• 🏆 1959 — release Datsun Bluebird, the first model exported to the USA. It was she who laid the foundation for the global success of the brand.
• 🚗 1969 - debut of the legendary Nissan Skyline GT-R, who later earned the nickname "Godzilla" for his racing dominance.
• 🌍 1980s - transition to a single name Nissan worldwide and start of production in the USA (Sentra, Maxima).
• ⚡ 2010 — launch of the first mass-produced electric car Nissan Leaf, which has become a symbol of eco-technology.

Today Nissan is part of the alliance Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi and is one of the largest automakers in the world. The brand is famous for innovation: from the system ProPILOT (semi-autonomous driving) before technology e-POWER (hybrid without recharging). But the main thing is the diversity of the model range, which we will discuss later.

Modern Nissan lineup: what cars will be produced in 2026

To date Nissan offers more than 30 models, but not all of them are officially supplied to Russia. Below - current list of carsavailable on the global market (including CIS countries, Europe and Asia). We have divided them into categories for convenience:

Category	Models (2026)	Features
Compact cars	Micra, Note, March (in Asia)	Economical, ideal for the city. Note equipped with a hybrid e-POWER.
Average cars (sedans)	Almera, Sentra (for USA), Sunny (Middle East)	Almera — the best-selling Nissan in Russia. Sentra has a premium finish.
Crossovers and SUVs	Juke, Qashqai, X-Trail, Rogue (USA), Pathfinder, Patrol, Kicks	Qashqai - leader in sales in Europe. Patrol - flagship SUV with V8.
Electric cars	Leaf, Ariya, Sakura (kei car for Japan)	Ariya — Nissan's first electric crossover with a range of up to 500 km.
Pickups and commercial vehicles	Navara (aka NP300), Frontier (USA), NV350 Urvan	Navara — the most popular pickup truck in Russia. Urvan — minibus for business transportation.

It is important to understand that some models have different names depending on the market. For example, Nissan Rogue in the USA it is an analogue of the European X-Trail, and NP300 - this is the same as Navara, but for Africa and the Middle East. To avoid confusion, always check VIN code or technical specifications.

⚠️ Attention: Not all models are officially certified in Russia. For example, Nissan GT-R And 370Z no longer available from 2022 due to changes in legislation. Please check model availability with your dealer before purchasing.

Legendary Nissan models: what has become iconic and what has gone down in history

Some cars Nissan became real icons of the automotive industry. They are valued not only for their technical characteristics, but also for their design, sporting achievements or cultural influence. Here are the most famous of them:

• 🏁 Nissan Skyline GT-R (1969-2002, 2007-present) - "Godzilla", winner of hundreds of races. Models R32, R34 (from the movie "Fast and Furious") are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars today.
• 🚗 Nissan 300ZX (Z32) (1989–2000) - a sports coupe with a V6 engine and design that was ahead of its time. In Japan it was called Fairlady Z.
• 💨 Nissan Silvia (1964–2002) - an iconic rear-wheel drive drift car. Modification S15 still used in competitions.
• 🌿 Nissan Leaf (2010–present) - the first production electric car with a range of more than 1 million km for some owners.
• 🏜️ Nissan Patrol (1951–present) - an SUV that competes with Toyota Land Cruiser in the Gulf countries.

Many of these models are today collectibles. For example, Skyline GT-R R34 in perfect condition may be worth up to $500,000, and rare versions Silvia S15 Spec-S - about $100,000. Moreover, some legends like Nissan 240SX (American version Silvia), are still actively used in the drift community.

Why is the Nissan Skyline GT-R called "Godzilla"?

The nickname originated in the 1990s when the car dominated Australian racing Group A. Local journalists compared it to a monster destroying its competitors—hence “Godzilla.”

How to choose a Nissan: comparison by reliability, price and fuel consumption

When choosing a car Nissan It is important to consider not only the appearance, but also the practical characteristics. We analyzed data from independent tests (including ADAC, JD Power) and compiled a rating based on key criteria. Please note: prices are indicated for the Russian market (2026) in rubles.

Model	Average price (new)	Fuel consumption (combined)	Reliability rating (out of 5)	Better for...
Nissan Almera	1 200 000 – 1 600 000	6.5 l/100 km	4.2	Cities, families, taxis
Nissan Qashqai	2 100 000 – 2 800 000	7.2 l/100 km	4.5	Family trips, off-road (4x4 version)
Nissan X-Trail	2 700 000 – 3 500 000	8.1 l/100 km	4.3	Large families, long trips
Nissan Patrol	5 000 000 – 7 000 000	14.5 l/100 km	4.7	Off-road, premium status
Nissan Leaf	2 500 000 – 3 200 000	0 l/100 km (electric)	4.0	City, environmental friendliness

From the table it is clear that the most reliable models - this is Patrol And Qashqai, and here Leaf, despite its innovation, has average ratings due to the batteries (their service life depends on operating conditions). If you care minimum fuel consumption, pay attention to Almera with engine 1.6 HR16DE or hybrid Note e-POWER (3.8 l/100 km).

⚠️ Attention: When buying used Nissan be sure to check the history of the CVT box (variator). Models before 2015 (for example, Juke, Tiida) are known for problems with the variator with mileage over 150,000 km. The exception is cars with a classic automatic transmission (Patrol, Pathfinder).

Nissan in Russia: which models are officially sold and where they are produced

Until 2022 Nissan actively localized production in Russia: they assembled at the plant in St. Petersburg Qashqai, X-Trail And Murano. However, after the company left the Russian market, the situation changed. Today, official dealers offer a limited range, and new cars are supplied through parallel imports.

Current list of models available in Russia (2026):

• 🚗 Nissan Almera - produced in Tolyatti (AvtoVAZ) under the name Lada Vesta NF (rebranding).
• 🏜️ Nissan Terrano - analog Renault Duster, is going to Moscow.
• 🛻 Nissan NP300 (Navara) - pickup truck, shipped from Mexico.
• ⚡ Nissan Leaf — electric car, available through parallel import.

Important: Nissan's official warranty in Russia is no longer valid for new cars purchased after 2022. However, some dealers offer their own service programs. Before purchasing please check:

• Availability of spare parts (especially for models with a variator).
• Possibility of undergoing maintenance at service centers (many have closed).
• Insurance cost (some models, like Patrol, belong to the premium segment).

The future of Nissan: what new products to expect in 2026–2026

Despite the difficulties in the Russian market, Nissan is actively developing its global product line. In the coming years, the brand plans to release several revolutionary models, including:

• ⚡ Nissan Hyper Force (2026) - electric supercar with power 1000+ hp and a power reserve of 500 km. The concept was presented in 2023.
• 🚙 Nissan Max-Out (2026) - an open electric roadster with a minimalist design. Designed for city travel.
• 🏜️ Nissan X-Trail e-POWER (2026) - a hybrid version of the popular crossover with a system similar Note e-POWER.
• 🛻 Nissan Navara (new generation) (2026) - a pickup truck with a hybrid powertrain and improved payload capacity.

Special attention Nissan devotes electrification: The company plans to make 40% of its lineup fully electric by 2030. Already on sale in Europe today Ariya - the brand’s first electric crossover, and in Japan - a compact one Sakura with battery from Mitsubishi.

A pressing question for Russian buyers: Will Nissan officially return to the market? There is no exact answer yet, but there are rumors about a possible return through a partnership with AvtoVAZ (as is the case with Almera). Follow the news on the website nissan.ru (at the time of writing - not updated).

Frequently asked questions about Nissan models

🔹 Which Nissan model is the most reliable?

According to JD Power for 2023, reliability leaders among Nissan are:

1. Nissan Patrol (rating 4.7/5) - thanks to its simple design and reliable V8.
2. Nissan X-Trail (4.5/5) - especially versions with a 2.5-liter engine.
3. Nissan Qashqai (4.4/5) - subject to regular variator maintenance.

Worst showing themselves Nissan Juke (until 2020) and Nissan Note with variator JF015E.

🔹 What is the difference between Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail?

Main differences:

• Size: X-Trail longer by 20 cm and higher by 5 cm.
• Engines: Qashqai offers only 1.3- and 1.5-liter turbo engines, and X-Trail - also a 2.5-liter (in the USA - a hybrid).
• Price: X-Trail 30–40% more expensive.
• Patency: U X-Trail higher ground clearance (210 mm versus 190 mm for Qashqai).

Better for the city Qashqai, for family or off-road - X-Trail.

🔹 Why is Nissan Almera in Russia a converted Lada?

After leaving Nissan from the Russian market in 2022, production Almera was localized on AvtoVAZ. The new model (from 2023) is built on the platform Lada Vesta, but with:

• Front design borrowed from global Almera.
• Engine 1.6 HR16DE (114 hp), which was previously installed on Nissan Tiida.
• CVT Jatco (instead of the AMT robot Vesta).

In fact it's hybrid from a Russian platform and Japanese units.

🔹 Is it possible to buy a Nissan GT-R in Russia in 2026?

Officially Nissan GT-R (model R35) is no longer supplied to Russia from 2022. However, there are three options:

1. Parallel import: Some dealers bring cars from the UAE or Japan, but the price starts from 12 million rubles.
2. Used market: 2018–2021 models cost 6–9 million rubles, but check the history (many examples are broken or have over 100,000 km).
3. Analogues: consider Nissan Z (400Z) — a new version of the sports coupe, which may appear in Russia through parallel imports.

Important: spare parts for GT-R very expensive (for example, a turbine costs ~500,000 rubles), and repairs are possible only in specialized services.

🔹 Which Nissan models are equipped with the ProPILOT system?

Semi-autonomous driving technology ProPILOT Available on the following models (from the years shown):

• Nissan Qashqai (2021)
• Nissan X-Trail (2020)
• Nissan Leaf (2018)
• Nissan Ariya (2021)
• Nissan Rogue (USA, 2021)

The system includes:

• Adaptive cruise control with function Stop & Go.
• Lane keeping (Lane Keep Assist).
• Automatic parking (ProPILOT Park).

Limitation: ProPILOT only works up to a speed of 140 km/h and requires constant driver control.