New Nissan Models

Nissan's latest Z car promises not to offend fans of the outgoing generation — it looks pretty similar but, not surprisingly, offers more power. Accordingly, the numerical designation changes from "350" to "370" to account for a larger V-6 under the hood, with output climbing to 332 horsepower from last year's 306 hp. Other changes include a new interior, retuned suspension, larger brakes and a new seven-speed automatic transmission option. 

Scion changed preconceptions about exactly how boxy an econobox could be with the original xB a few years ago. Now Nissan — as well as Kia, with its new Soul — is unleashing its own boxy economy car, the Cube, which has been a hit in Japan for some time now. Competitors include the xB and Soul, as well as perhaps small SUVs like the Honda Element and Jeep Patriot. 

The Nissan GT-R is the latest model that will come to the U.S. after years of being sold overseas and dangled in front of drooling American car fans. We were similarly taunted for a long time by street-legal versions of Mitsubishi's and Subaru's World Rally Championship cars. They finally made it here in 2003 and 2004, respectively, in the form of the Lancer Evolution and the WRX STI. 

Nissan says the redesigned Maxima returns to its four-door-sports-car roots. That's a designation the car held in previous generations, though it's one that eroded a bit in recent years. As Nissan's flagship sedan, the Maxima competes with cars like the Toyota Avalon and Ford Taurus. 

For the first time since it debuted for 2004 as one of the earlier car-based SUVs, typically called crossovers, the midsize Murano five-seater has been redesigned and reengineered for the new model year. The 2009 Muranos hit dealerships early in January 2008. There is no 2008 model. In price and size, the Murano competes with the Ford Edge, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. 

The 350Z roadster carries on only as a convertible for 2009. The 370Z is new for 2009, and it replaces the 350Z coupe.  

The Nissan 370Z coupe was redesigned for 2009. The Z competes with cars ranging from the Mazda RX-8 to the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro. There is also a convertible 370Z, as well as a high-performance NISMO 370Z. 

Nissan's midsize Altima is available in both coupe and sedan body styles. The coupe's powertrain offerings are similar to the sedan's, but the coupe receives unique styling elements. Four-cylinder Altima sedans come in 2.5 or 2.5 S trim levels, while the 3.5 SE and 3.5 SL have V-6 power. Coupes are available in 2.5 S and 3.5 SE guise. A gasoline/electric Altima Hybrid sedan is also offered. Competitors include the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. 

The Altima Hybrid is Nissan's first gas/electric hybrid, using technology borrowed from Toyota. The hybrid is sold in select states, including California, New York, New Jersey and most of New England.  

The Armada and its sibling, the Infiniti QX, are full-size SUVs that can carry up to eight passengers. It comes in SE and LE trim levels, and competitors include the Toyota Sequoia and GMC Yukon. 

The Armada and its sibling, the Infiniti QX, are full-size SUVs that can carry up to eight passengers. The Armada comes in SE, Titanium and Platinum trim levels, and competitors include the Toyota Sequoia and GMC Yukon. It seats up to eight. 

The Nissan Frontier received a mid-cycle freshening for 2009. The minor face-lift will help distinguish the Frontier from the 2009 Suzuki Equator, which Nissan will build for Suzuki and which is based on the Frontier's platform. The Frontier is still the youngest of all midsize pickups; it came out just after the 2005 Toyota Tacoma. Towing and payload are comparable to the Tacoma, the segment's best-seller. 

Nissan has the longest history in the U.S. among import automakers selling compact and midsize pickup trucks. 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of Nissan's arrival in the U.S. with its Datsun 1000 garden truck in 1959. 

The GT-R is racetrack-bred and runs zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, according to Nissan, joining the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Unlike that car, the GT-R has all-wheel drive. 

Nissan's Maxima returns for 2010. The Maxima is offered in two trim levels, 3.5 S and 3.5 SV, both of which have a 290-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine. As Nissan's flagship sedan, the Maxima competes with cars like the Toyota Avalon and Ford Taurus. 

The Murano was redesigned and reengineered for 2009, and it competes in price and size with the Ford Edge, Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. It seats five. There are three trim levels of the Murano: S, SL and LE. All three now come with front- or all-wheel drive. 

The Nissan Pathfinder is a body-on-frame sport utility vehicle with three rows of seats. For 2008, the Pathfinder received a new V-8 engine, and its center dash controls were redone for a more refined appearance. The Pathfinder comes in S, SE and LE trims with the V-6; the V-8 is only available in the LE. Competitors include the Jeep Commander and Ford Explorer.  

The Nissan Pathfinder is a body-on-frame sport utility vehicle with three rows of seats. It's the smaller sibling to Nissan's full-size Armada. The Pathfinder comes in S, SE and LE trims with the V-6; the V-8 is only available in the LE. Competitors include the Jeep Commander and Ford Explorer. It seats seven. 

The Nissan Quest is a conventional minivan with a few unique options and styling flairs that separate it from the competition. The Quest is sold in four variations: 3.5, 3.5 S, 3.5 SL and 3.5 SE. Competitors include the Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. 

Offered in base S and uplevel SL trims, the Rogue is powered by a four-cylinder engine and is available with front- or all-wheel drive. Competition includes the Toyota RAV4 and Saturn Vue, and the Rogue seats five people.  

Offered in base S and uplevel SL trims, the Rogue is powered by a four-cylinder engine and is available with front- or all-wheel drive. Competition includes the Toyota RAV4 and Saturn Vue, and the Rogue seats five people. 

The Nissan Sentra sits between the subcompact Versa and the midsize Altima. Regular Sentras come in base 2.0, 2.0 S and 2.0 SL trim levels. The Nissan Sentra is an alternative to the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.  

The Nissan Sentra sits between the subcompact Versa and the midsize Altima. Regular Sentras come in base 2.0, 2.0 S, 2.0 SR and 2.0 SL trim levels. The Nissan Sentra is an alternative to the likes of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. 

Nissan did nearly everything right with the Titan, but a fickle consumer base never reached out to Japan's first aggressive attempt at the full-size truck market. Even winning a few magazine shootouts against Detroit automakers didn't help this very capable truck expand its market beyond a loyal Nissan customer base and a few open-minded shoppers; Nissan will end Titan production at its Mississippi plant in 2010. Nissan's next full-size pickup will be based on the Dodge Ram and will likely feature Dodge powertrain components.  

Nissan did nearly everything right with the Titan, but a fickle consumer base never reached out to Japan's first aggressive attempt at the full-size truck market. This may be the last model year for this version of the Titan; production at its Mississippi plant is expected to end in 2010. Nissan's next full-size pickup may be based on the Dodge Ram 1500 and will likely feature Dodge powertrain components. 

Nissan introduced the Versa to the U.S. for 2007. The Versa is available as both a hatchback and a sedan, and it has base 1.8 S and higher 1.8 SL trim levels. This subcompact goes head to head with the Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Aveo and Hyundai Accent.  

Nissan introduced the Versa to the U.S. for 2007. The Versa is available as both a hatchback and a sedan. This subcompact goes head-to-head with the Toyota Yaris, Chevrolet Aveo and Hyundai Accent. 

Nissan's truck-based Xterra is geared toward young and/or active buyers — or those who want to appear that way. A standard 4.0-liter V-6 drives either the rear or all four wheels. Unlike some SUVs, it's a truly capable off-roader, with an available Off Road edition. The other trim levels are X, S and SE. Its competitors include the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 

Nissan's truck-based Xterra is geared toward young, active buyers — or those who want to appear that way. A standard 4.0-liter V-6 drives either the rear or all four wheels. Unlike some SUVs, it's a truly capable off-roader, with an available Off Road edition. The other trim levels are X, S and SE. Its competitors include the Toyota FJ Cruiser and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.