Nissan Kicks & Murano Win 2026 Best Cars for the Money Awards

Nissan is kicking off 2026 with major accolades from U.S. News & World Report, as two standout models have been named winners in the prestigious 2026 Best Cars for the Money Awards, while two more Nissan vehicles earned finalist recognition for offering exceptional value in their segments.

Award Winners: Nissan Kicks and Murano

• 2026 Nissan Kicks — Named Best Subcompact SUV for the Money, this achievement marks the Kicks’ first honor in the Best Cars for the Money program. The Kicks stood out for its blend of quality, features, and affordability in the highly competitive subcompact SUV category, delivering great value with a budget-friendly starting price and smart everyday usability.

• 2026 Nissan Murano — Taking home the title of Best Midsize 2-Row SUV for the Money, Murano continues to impress with its refined design, comfortable interior, and strong overall value proposition. This win reaffirms Murano’s place among the top choices for drivers seeking a well-rounded midsize SUV that doesn’t sacrifice quality for affordability.

These wins highlight Nissan’s commitment to delivering vehicles that balance long-term ownership costs, quality, safety, and everyday performance — all key factors in the Best Cars for the Money methodology.

Finalist Recognition: Frontier and Rogue

In addition to its winners, Nissan also saw two other models earn finalist status in their respective categories:

• 2026 Nissan Frontier was named a finalist for Best Midsize Truck for the Money — a recognition that reflects Frontier’s strong mix of capability, durability, and ownership value.

• 2026 Nissan Rogue also earned finalist honors in its category, highlighting its appeal as a compact SUV that delivers comfort, technology, and practicality at a competitive overall cost of ownership.

A Strong Start to 2026 for Nissan

This recognition from U.S. News & World Report adds to a growing list of accolades for Nissan’s 2026 model year vehicles, showing that Nissan continues to deliver compelling options across SUVs, trucks, and crossovers that resonate with value-focused buyers.