Nissan Car Types and Models Available in Kenya

Nissan cars come in seven main types: SUVs and crossovers, sedans, hatchbacks, station wagons, pickups, vans, and hybrid or electric cars. The most common names on Kenyan roads include the Note, X Trail, Serena, Navara and Patrol and many of them arrive as used imports from Japan.

Prices cover a wide spread. A small March or Wingroad can sell for under KSh 1 million, a used Note e POWER sits around KSh 1.3 million to 1.8 million, and a Patrol can cost well over KSh 10 million. Fuel use varies just as much, from more than 25 km/L on a Note e POWER in lab tests to about 4 to 6 km/L for a Patrol V8 in Nairobi traffic.

Below, every Nissan you are likely to find in Kenya has its own stats table covering engine, seats, price range, fuel use and whether it can still be imported under the 2026 rules. The figures were checked in October and November 2026.

What Types of Nissan Cars Are Available in Kenya?

Seven groups cover almost every Nissan on Kenyan roads. Many of these cars are bought used, either as cars already in the country or as fresh imports from Japan.

Used price ranges are Estimated prices, not final selling prices.

Nissan SUVs and Crossovers in Kenya

SUVs are the most popular Nissan type and they come in three sizes. Small crossovers like the Magnite and Kicks are built like cars and suit town driving. Family SUVs like the X Trail and Qashqai add space and height. The Terra and Patrol sit on strong truck frames and can handle real off road use.

One point is worth knowing before you buy. Not every Nissan SUV has four wheel drive (4WD), and many X Trails are front wheel drive. If you plan to drive on muddy murram roads during the rains, confirm the drive type on the exact car.

Nissan Magnite

The Magnite is one of the most affordable Nissan SUV. It is a compact crossover with a raised seat, a small turbo engine and a modern dashboard. It comes in Acenta and Acenta Plus grades, and the Acenta Plus adds six airbags, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and hill start assist.

Its size is both its strength and its limit. It parks easily in Nairobi CBD and sips fuel, but the rear seat suits children better than three adults, and the boot fills up quickly on a family trip.

Nissan Qashqai

The Qashqai is the family step up from the Magnite. The current model uses a 1.3 litre turbo engine, and its 504 litre boot swallows school bags, shopping and luggage with room to spare. Fold the rear seats and the space grows to 1,593 litres.

Most owners keep it on tarmac. It rides well on the Thika Superhighway and Mombasa Road, but it is not meant for deep ruts or river crossings.

Nissan Terra

The Terra shares its frame and diesel engine with the Navara pickup, which makes it far tougher than any crossover. It has three rows and seven seats, arranged so that each row sits a little higher than the one in front and giving rear passengers a better view.

It suits the kind of driving many families do: weekdays in town, weekends upcountry on murram roads. NGOs and field teams also like it for the same reason. The trade off is cost. It is a large, heavy vehicle, and fuel, tyres and insurance cost more than on a crossover.

Nissan Patrol

The Patrol is Nissan's flagship and the biggest SUV. It combines a large V8, a full size cabin and serious off road hardware.it is a common sight with government offices, safari operators and buyers who want the top of the range.

Nissan X Trail

The X Trail is one of the most popular SUV. Most units are the T32 model built from 2013 to 2022. It hits a sweet spot for families: enough space, a higher seat for potholes and speed bumps, and running costs well below a Terra or Patrol.

Buyers should look closely at three things. First, confirm whether the car is 2WD or 4WD. Second, check whether it has two or three rows of seats, as only some versions seat seven. Third, test the CVT gearbox on a proper drive, because a worn CVT is expensive to fix.

Nissan Kicks

The Kicks is a small crossover comes only with e POWER in Japan. It drives like an electric car while running on petrol, which makes it very easy on fuel in stop and go traffic. It suits commuters who want a crossover look without paying for a larger SUV.

Nissan Juke

The Juke is a small crossover with a bold shape that people either love or dislike. It sits higher than a Note, but the cabin is tighter than it looks: the rear seat suits children and the boot is small. Most Jukes are the first generation (F15), sold in Japan until 2020.

Nissan Sedans in Kenya

A sedan has a closed boot behind the rear seats. Many buyers prefer one for highway trips because it feels settled at speed and keeps luggage hidden. Most Nissan sedans are used imports from Japan.

Nissan Sylphy

The Sylphy is a practical, roomy sedan. The rear seat has generous legroom for its class, which is why it shows up often in ride hailing fleets and with office commuters. The Japanese version (B17) uses a 1.8 litre petrol engine with a CVT.

Nissan Latio (Sunny)

The Latio is the Japanese version of the Sunny, a simple small sedan with a light 1.2 litre engine. It is a good fit for buyers who want a sedan shape on a hatchback budget.

Nissan Teana

The Teana is the larger, softer riding sedan in the Nissan range. It is built for comfort on long drives with a quiet cabin and a supportive front passenger seat. The last Japanese model (L33) ran from 2014 to 2020 with a 2.5 litre engine.

Nissan Skyline

The Skyline is a premium rear wheel drive sedan for drivers who want performance and a more upmarket cabin.

Nissan Hatchbacks and Small Cars in Kenya

A hatchback has a rear door that lifts up to reveal the boot. It is short, light and easy to park which is exactly what most drivers need. Fold the rear seats and it carries more than you would expect.

Nissan Note

The Note is one of the most common Nissans. It has excellent rear legroom for a small car and low running costs. Older Notes use a 1.2 litre petrol engine. Many newer imports use e POWER, which cuts fuel use sharply in slow traffic.

Nissan March

The March is smaller than the Note and works best for one or two people who drive mostly in town. It is cheap to buy and easy to park, but the rear seat and boot are tight.

Nissan Tiida

The Tiida offers a roomy, comfortable cabin for very little money. Japan stopped selling it in 2012, so every unit is an older car and a full inspection is a must.

Nissan Cube

The Cube has a tall, boxy body that gives lots of headroom and a clear view of the road. It is a practical town car with a personality of its own.

Nissan Dayz

The Dayz is a kei car, a class of very small Japanese cars with engines of 660 cc. It is the cheapest Nissan to buy and run, but it is built for short town trips, not highway driving with a full load.

Nissan Station Wagons and Light Vans

A station wagon is a sedan with a longer roof and a large load area at the back. It gives more space than a hatchback without the height or cost of an SUV, which makes it popular with small traders.

Nissan Wingroad

The Wingroad is a budget wagon with a big boot. It is common in Kenya because it is cheap to buy and parts are easy to find. Japan stopped selling it in 2018, so all units are older cars.

Nissan AD Van

The AD Van, known locally as the Advan, is a no frills work wagon with a flat load floor. It is a common choice for small delivery businesses.

Nissan Pickups and Light Trucks in Kenya

A pickup carries heavy loads and copes with bad roads far better than a car. In return, it rides harder when empty, is tougher to park in town and leaves cargo open to rain unless you fit a canopy.

Nissan Navara Single Cab and Double Cab

The Navara is Nissan's main pickup and comes in two body styles. The Single Cab has one row of seats and a long load bed for goods. The Double Cab has two rows and a shorter bed, so it can carry a work crew and their tools together.

Payload, towing capacity, ground clearance and 4WD all depend on the version. Never assume a Navara is 4WD; check the specification sheet for the exact grade.

Nissan NP300 Hardbody

The NP300 Hardbody was one of Nissan's best selling pickups, known for being simple and tough. Nissan in Africa has replaced it with the Navara, so today it is only found used.

Nissan Atlas

The Atlas is a light truck for businesses that need to carry more than a pickup can take. Before buying, check the registration class and the driving licence category it needs.

Nissan Vans and Family Carriers in Kenya

A passenger van has seats and windows for people. A commercial van, or panel van, is an empty box for goods. Seat counts differ between versions, so count the seats and check the logbook before you buy.

Nissan NV350 Urvan (Caravan)

The Urvan is the most common large Nissan van. It comes as a Panel van for cargo and a Minibus for passengers. In Japan the same van is called the NV350 Caravan.

Nissan Serena

The Serena is a family minivan with sliding side doors, a favourite for school runs and big families. You will find three versions: regular petrol, S Hybrid (a mild hybrid) and e POWER. The e POWER versions save the most fuel in town.

Nissan NV200 Vanette

The NV200 is a compact van that is easy to drive in town. Small businesses use it for deliveries, and some owners fit seats and use it as a small people carrier.

Nissan Elgrand

The Elgrand is a large luxury minivan with plush seats and plenty of space. It suits families or hotels that want comfort for seven or eight people, but its big engines use more fuel than a Serena.

Nissan Hybrid and Electric Cars in Kenya

Nissan uses four kinds of powertrain. A powertrain is the system that turns fuel or electricity into movement.

How e POWER Works

e POWER sits between a regular hybrid and an electric car. You fill it with petrol like any other car, but the engine never turns the wheels. It only runs a generator that charges a battery, and an electric motor does the driving. That is why it feels smooth and quiet, and why it saves the most fuel in Nairobi stop and go traffic. Nissan first used it in the Note in Japan in 2016 and added it to the Serena in 2018.

Nissan LEAF

The LEAF is a fully electric hatchback. It makes sense for drivers who can charge at home or at work and who drive mostly within town. It has no fuel costs at all, but public charging in Kenya is still limited outside the main towns.

Nissan also sells the Ariya electric SUV and cars like the Almera, Sentra and Altima in other markets. These are rare in Kenya, with no reliable local prices, so they are not covered in detail here.

When buying any used hybrid or electric Nissan, ask for a battery health report, use a garage with the right diagnostic tools and ask how long parts take to arrive.

Nissan Prices and Fuel Use in Kenya: Full Comparison

Which Nissan Should You Buy in Kenya?

The best Nissan for you depends on what you carry, where you drive and how much you can spend each month on fuel. Use this table as a starting point.

A practical tip: two cars with the same name can be very different. A well kept 2017 Note will usually serve you better than a neglected 2019 one, so judge the car in front of you, not only the model.

Can You Import a Nissan from Japan to Kenya in 2026?

Yes, you can import a Nissan from Japan to Kenya as long as it meets the current age and standards rules. Since 1 January 2026, KEBS allows only right hand drive vehicles first registered on or after 1 January 2019. The car must also pass a pre export inspection in Japan before shipping.

This matters for price. Many of the cheaper ranges in this guide are for 2014 to 2018 cars that are already in Kenya. A fresh import today has to be a 2019 or newer car, so it will usually cost more than an older locally used unit. For more guide check how to import car from Japan to kenya.

Which Nissan Models Can Still Be Imported?

How Khushi Motors Imports a Nissan for You

If the Nissan you want is not available in Kenya, Khushi Motors can import it from Japan for you. Khushi Motors is a Japanese used car dealership that has served customers since 2009 and is a KNCCI Award Winner.

The process is simple:

1. Tell the team what you want. Share the model, year range, grade, colour, mileage limit and your budget.
2. Review real options. The team finds cars that meet the 2026 import rules, and you go through each one's condition, mileage, grade and auction sheet before deciding.
3. Get the full landed cost. Ask for the total, including the car price, shipping, duty, excise, VAT and registration, so you know the real number before you commit.
4. Shipping and clearance. Once you approve a car, it goes through pre export inspection in Japan, ships to Mombasa and is cleared for registration.

You can also ask Khushi Motors which Nissan models are already in stock if you prefer to see a car in person. Contact the team.

What to Check Before Buying a Used Nissan in Kenya

Use this checklist on any used Nissan, whether it is a local car or a fresh import.

1. Year of first registration. For imports, it must meet the KEBS age rule. For local cars, confirm the year on the logbook matches the car.
2. Mileage and service history. Ask for service records and receipts. Very low mileage on an old car can be a warning sign.
3. Accident damage. Look for uneven panel gaps, fresh paint, overspray on rubber seals and repaired chassis parts.
4. Auction sheet. For Japanese imports, check the auction grade and inspector notes, and confirm the sheet is genuine.
5. CVT or automatic gearbox. Most Nissans use a CVT. Test it on a proper drive and listen for whining or jerking.
6. Hybrid or EV system. For e POWER, S Hybrid or LEAF models, check battery health and dashboard warning lights.
7. Suspension, tyres, brakes and cooling. These parts work hard on roads and are expensive to replace all at once.
8. Spare parts. Ask local suppliers about parts for that exact model and engine before you buy.
9. Documents. Confirm import papers, duty payment, logbook and NTSA registration details.
10. Total cost of ownership. Add the price, insurance, fuel, tyres and servicing to see what the car really costs each month. For more guide check how to transfer ownership.

How to Check a Nissan's Official Specifications

Nissan's official websites list the specifications for each model and grade, but they also show many models that are never sold in Kenya. A used import may have a different engine or features from the version you read about online, because it was built for the Japanese or UK market.

The safest way to confirm what you are buying is to check the chassis number, the auction sheet and the grade of the exact car. These tell you the real engine, drive type, trim level and year of manufacture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different models available from Nissan in Kenya?

Nissan models include the Magnite, Qashqai, Terra, Patrol, Navara, NV350 Urvan, X Trail, Note, Serena, Sylphy, March, Juke, Kicks, Teana, Wingroad, NV200, Elgrand and LEAF. The Note, X Trail and Serena are the most common Japanese imports.

What types of sedans does Nissan offer?

Nissan sedans include the Sylphy, Latio (Sunny), Teana and Skyline. Other markets also get the Almera, Sentra and Altima. Buyers usually find Nissan sedans as used imports from Japan.

Which pickup trucks are made by Nissan?

Nissan's main pickup in Kenya is the Navara, available as a Single Cab and Double Cab with a 2.5 litre turbo diesel on many grades. The older NP300 Hardbody is now found used. Other markets also get the Frontier. Always confirm whether a specific unit has 4WD.

Which electric vehicles does Nissan currently offer?

Nissan's fully electric cars are the LEAF hatchback and the Ariya SUV, but neither is common in Kenya. The Note, Serena, Kicks and X Trail e POWER are hybrids, not electric cars. They run on petrol, and an electric motor drives the wheels.

Which Nissan uses the least fuel in Kenya?

The Note e POWER is the most fuel efficient common Nissan. It is rated at 28.4 to 37.2 km/L in Japanese lab tests, and Japanese owners report about 19 to 20 km/L in daily driving. The Kicks e POWER and Serena e POWER are also very economical.

Can I import a Nissan from Japan to Kenya?

Yes. Since January 2026, Kenya allows right hand drive cars first registered on or after 1 January 2019. Popular imports include the Note e POWER, X Trail and Serena. Khushi Motors can source and import a qualifying Nissan from Japan and give you the full landed cost first.