Celebrating Canada's Favourite Nissans
In 2021, Nissan was Canada's 6th most popular brand for new vehicles, just a shade behind Chevrolet. As Northern Alberta's premier Nissan dealer near you, we are incredibly proud to represent such a strong brand, which bounced right back after 2020 threw us all for a loop and to serve our diverse community of Nissan drivers! Part of Nissan's strength is in that diversity. Nissan has tapped into a broad range of market segments, from the EV LEAF to the off-road-capable Frontier, from the compact Sentra to the expansive Armada, and from the practical Altima to the passion-inspiring GT-R, meaning we offer something to fill almost anybody's mobility needs. As we look back on the last few years of ups and downs, we want to take a moment to celebrate and appreciate those Nissans which were most popular with you, our drivers!
#3 Nissan Kicks
Since 2018, there have been 16 Nissan models offered in Canada (not counting the NV / NV200 work vans), but nearly 1 in 8 Nissans sold in that time was a Kicks. That's especially impressive given that the Kicks was brand-new in 2018! It rocketed from being our 10th most popular model that year, straight to 3rd place in 2019 and 2nd since then! The Nissan Kicks is our sub-compact crossover SUV, blending the practicality of a hatchback with a high seating position––a recipe that clearly hits the spot for thousands of Canadian drivers!
We find that the most successful Nissan vehicles are those which deliver on our overall mission of sustainable, accessible mobility, and the Kicks is no exception. With a starting price of $20,298, it's one of the least expensive options on the market, yet the full Safety Shield 360 suite of active driver assists is standard on every one![a] Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, too, as is an interior that surprises with relatively high cargo capacity––the standard 716 L cargo hold is big for the class, and with the rear seats down, it makes a competitive 1500 L of space! On top of this, the powertrain is rated to a combined 7.2 L/100 km, near the best in the segment to round out the high-value proposition that Kicks makes to city-bound commuters nationwide.
The Kicks offers a number of additional features to improve driver comfort and confidence. Nissan's signature Zero Gravity seats reduce the fatigue caused by long journeys, and they'll be cozy warm the second you sit down on cold winter mornings thanks to an available Remote Engine Start System and the Quick Comfort heated seats option! Then once you're on the road, Kicks models equipped with Intelligent Engine Brake, Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control are constantly manipulating the Xtronic CVT and individual brakes. The result is less aggressive deceleration when stopping, effortless cornering and the impression of smoother roads (even in a pothole-ridden spring)!
This gives the Kicks SR a ride quality that exhibits the best traits of small, nimble cars and long wagons/crossovers alike! Canadians who primarily drive on city streets, and prioritize value and utility highest when considering a vehicle, will find the Kicks to be very much to their liking.
#2 Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai was introduced in 2017 to slot underneath the Rogue and above the entire sub-compact segment, and to say it's done well is an understatement! Nissan's 2nd most popular vehicle since 2018-–accounting for 1 of every 7 new Nissans sold since then––created a niche all on its own. Its success is driven by a price and size that is distinctively below the compact class but just above the sub-compacts, with a look and feel that shows genuine SUV DNA as opposed to the "tall hatchback" impression common to that class.
Today, the Qashqai might feel like a compromise––on price and efficiency when compared to the Kicks and on capacity when compared to the Rogue. It's also the oldest model of the three, so we certainly hope to see the same generational turnover that Europe is slated to receive in 2023. That will only improve upon the value package that Qashqai provides!
First, consider the advantages when compared to the Kicks. The biggest might be available Intelligent AWD, which gives the Qashqai that extra boost of confidence in inclement weather or mild off-roading. The system operates as FWD for efficient cruising and optimizes torque distribution to all four wheels when cornering and accelerating to take advantage of the benefits of AWD. Combined with light steering and a responsive powertrain, the Qashqai is a breeze to maneuver at low speeds, but with its 2" wider track and a touch of extra length too, it's a slightly more comfortable cruiser than the Kicks and benefits from the same available ride improvement technologies––plus the available ProPILOT Assist semi-autonomous driving tech at SV trim and above.
The Qashqai's starting price of $22,198 is less than Rogue's, without sacrificing SUV feel.[a] You really get that compact SUV look, feel and ride confidence but at a discounted price and with sub-compact size advantages like improved efficiency and maneuverability! The Qashqai's standard tech list, which is essentially identical to the Kicks, remains an advantage against the competition. We'd say it looks best when compared against compact SUVs by somebody with few rear-seat passengers and who wants a cheaper or smaller vehicle than a Rogue or against other subcompacts by somebody who insists on having AWD (certainly an advisable feature with our climate) and who wants to minimize their expenses in the pursuit of that drivetrain.
#1 Nissan Rogue
This is the one! The most popular Nissan in Canada, for at least the last four years, has been the Rogue every single time! 1 in 3 Nissans sold is a Rogue, as much as the 14 least-popular models combined (including the NV and NV200), and more than the Kicks and Qashqai combined as well! The compact crossover segment is one of the most competitive we've ever seen, with a long list of extremely good options vying for attention from buyers who need an optimal balance of capability and efficiency, and the Nissan Rogue holds its own by applying Nissan's tried-and-true formula––delivering excellent quality-of-life value and prioritizing everyday performance needs.
2022 is an exciting year for the Rogue, which features a totally revamped powertrain just a year after the major model change of 2021! The 2.5 L engine and its 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque is still an option, but for 2022, the Rogue gets an all-new 1.5 L VC-Turbo making 201 hp and 225 lb-ft, representing a huge step up! This engine is worth talking about more. VC-Turbo stands for "Variable Compression – Turbocharged" and is an engine style that Nissan debuted on the Altima and Infiniti Q50. The all-mechanical system physically adjusts the engine in real-time to change the compression ratio, impacting real-world outputs like fuel consumption and power. The result, compared to an otherwise-identical fixed compression engine, is the best of both worlds––higher power when you need it (like overtaking on the highway) and better efficiency when you want it!
Also new is the Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). While enthusiasts are not big fans of these transmissions, which are designed to deliver an optimal balance of efficiency, power and torque at all times based on throttle input and thus tend to be somewhat boring to drive, this latest Xtronic is another big step for the Rogue. The 24% increase in torque has a lot to do with this transmission, and drivers experience this via quicker, more satisfying acceleration from a stop compared to the last version. Then when you've settled into cruising speeds, the transmission adjusts to sip fuel at a mere 8.1 L/100 km combined, one of the best non-hybrid fuel efficiency ratings in the entire class!
Outside of the improved powertrain, the Rogue hits all the right notes for buyers in this segment. Rear doors that open wide are easy to use for young families, and the rear seats are perfectly adequate for most passengers. With Zero Gravity seats and (at SV trim and higher) the ProPILOT Assist suite, the Rogue is totally equipped for easygoing road trips, making the drive the least of your worries. Standard cargo capacity over 1000 L (which doubles to nearly 2100 L with the 2nd row of seats down) accentuates the utility-oriented nature of the design.
It's hard to do justice to the exciting 2022 Rogue in so few words, but in general, the model is a hit thanks to its practical design, high-value standard safety and driver-assist features, and its comfortable, efficient ride. It makes a strong case in the segment, proving more popular than many competitors that are reviewed more favourably by enthusiasts, like the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5, in no small part thanks to its additional spaciousness and safety-oriented tech. Drivers who prioritize safety tech and cost-to-own over thrills will find the Rogue an ideal option––no wonder it's one of Canada's 3 most popular compact crossovers and the 10th most popular vehicle overall!
Driving Innovation to Enrich People's Lives
That heading is Nissan's motto, and we think it's represented well by the most popular Nissans in the country. Sure, the electric LEAF and ARIYA are the leaders in Nissan's electric future, and few vehicles excite the way that the Z or GT-R do, but innovation is at the core of the small crossover SUV lineup. The Kicks, Qashqai, and Rogue, which account for nearly two-thirds of Nissan sales nationwide, innovate to generate ride quality that defies their diminutive size. They innovate to deliver efficiency nearly unheard of for a classic gasoline powertrain. They innovate to provide some of the best standard driver assistance tech in the industry despite their competitive price points. Through each of these innovation goals, these Nissans aim to enrich people's lives, and they successfully enrich thousands more of them every month. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us to get behind the wheel of one of these amazing vehicles today.