The 5 Greatest Nissans Ever

To the novice car fan, Nissan doesn’t have the legendary brand name that some older, more established car manufacturers have. However, the Japanese automaker has built some of the finest performance cars in the industry, even though you may never have heard of them. Here’s just a few of the greatest Nissans in the brand’s history.

Nissan GT-R Nismo

Unveiled in 2015, the Nissan GT-R Nismo is a souped-up version of the already speedy Nissan GT-R. The all-wheel drive vehicle boasts a stunning 600 horsepower, 3.8 liter, V-6 engine, capable of reaching 0 to 60 in a jaw-dropping 2.7 seconds. The car also has a unique dual-clutch six-speed automated manual transmission, so you won’t redline with all its power. However, with a starting price of $149,900, you might just have to drive it in your dreams.

Nissan 350Z

From 2002 to 2009, the 350Z was Nissan’s flagship roadster. With a stylish exterior and a beautiful interior, the 350Z was the perfect car for a bachelor or speed demon. With a 3.5 liter, V-6 engine, the car provided up to 306 horsepower with up to 274 pound-feet of torque and came with a five-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. The 2003 edition of the 350Z had a 0 to 60 time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The 370Z eventually replaced it in 2010.

Datsun 280ZX

Before Nissan was Nissan, it was Datsun. That was until 1986, when Nissan dropped the Datsun name. However, Datsun had a few years of truly great two-seater roadsters. One of those roadsters was the Datsun 280ZX. The 280ZX was a sleek, aerodynamic vehicle that came in a hard top or with T-tops, and it provided enough power for even the biggest gear heads. In 1979, Motor Trend even voted it as the top import of the year. Its lowered weight and large inline V-6 allowed it to travel at fast speeds, with a 0 to 60 time of 9.2 seconds.

Nissan Altima 3.5 Liter

Although the Altima isn’t exactly synonymous with performance, the newer editions of the car are surprisingly nimble and fast. With a 3.5 liter, V-6 engine, the Altima actually goes from 0 to 60 in a mind-blowing 6.2 seconds with 270 horsepower. If you couple that with a spacious interior and a range of features, this sedan is actually pretty awesome.

Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R is one of the fastest cars ever built for the road. Topping out at 196 miles per hour, the GT-R uses a 545 horsepower, 3.8 liter, V-6 turbo-charged engine with a manual transmission. It also has the styling you’d expect for a car with its speed, and if you ever see one, it will definitely turn your head. Until the Nismo edition came out last year, the GT-R was one of the fastest and most capable sports cars in the world.

As you see, Nissan has a long history of producing some of the top cars in the world. Without a doubt, they aren’t done yet. We’ll just have to see what the future holds.

Image via Pixabay