1969 Nissan Fairlady Z / Datsun 240Z
Though Nissan had been around since the 30s, it wasn’t until the release of the Fairlady Z in 1969 that it became a global presence. It was one of the most revolutionary sports cars ever, offering up some serious competition to its European rivals, and to this day, it is remembered fondly for its striking good looks.
1979 Nissan Fairlady Z / Datsun 280ZX
Is it possible to catch lightning in a bottle twice? Nissan seemed to think so when they released the 1979 follow-up to the 240Z, the 280ZX. It refined the original’s consummate design even further, emphasizing driver comfort and luxury over sheer sporty performance, and was a great success.
1989 Nissan 300ZX
1989 marked the final year of the ZX generation, culminating in the 300ZX. Like earlier models, this one continued to propel the brand forward with its futuristic stylings and sleek curves. On top of being one of the most beautiful Nissan models ever produced, it was also incredibly fast.
2002 Nissan 350Z
The 2000s iteration of the classic Nissan Z cars brought back the original’s more muscular proportions and styling, with bold fenders and an aggressive stance that instantly made it stand out from the crowd.
2009 Nissan 370Z
At this point, it should be clear that any time you see the word “Nissan” followed by a “Z” somewhere, you’re bound to get a beautiful car. The 370Z was the successor to the 350Z, and while it didn’t stray too far from that vehicle’s design ethos, it offered greater refinement and comfort than ever before.
1989 Nissan Skyline GT‑R R32
Of course, it’s not just the “Z’s” that deliver when it comes to Nissan. The Skyline nameplate is one of their most popular, and it all started with the 1989 GT-R R32, a legendary racer that earned itself a menacing nickname: “Godzilla”.
1995 Nissan Skyline GT‑R R33
The follow-up to the R32 had some pretty big shoes to fill, but the R33 was more than up to the task. It was the first car to ever lap the Nürburgring in under 8 minutes. On top of being damn powerful, it was also just damn pretty, too, with aggressive styling to match its performance.
1999 Nissan Skyline GT‑R R34
Say what you will about Nissan as a whole, they’re clearly consistent. 1999’s Skyline GT-R R34 is perhaps the most beloved of all the Skyline GT-R vehicles, with its gorgeous detailing and robust engineering that shine through its pretty facade.
2007 Nissan GT‑R (R35)
The R35 inherited the R32’s Godzilla moniker, and for good reason, too. It looks fast even when it’s standing perfectly still. Like the Fairlady Z from years before, the R35 is a true supercar killer that gives its European counterparts plenty of reasons to tremble.
2020 Nissan GT‑R50 by Italdesign
As one of the most expensive (and exclusive) Nissan vehicles ever built, you’d hope that the GT-R50 by Italdesign would be good-looking. Sure enough, it’s easily one of the most beautiful Nissan models ever, combining sports car performance with Italian luxury.
1997 Nissan R390 GT1
The 1997 Nissan R390 GT1 was a truly special vehicle, essentially a road-legal racecar that featured big arches, aero parts, and a low, aggressive stance to boot. Of course, not everyone could get their hands on it: only one street-legal GT1 was ever made.
1989 Nissan Maxima
Your average sedan will never look as cool as a sports car, no matter how luxurious it is, but the 1989 Maxima attempted to appeal to fans of both worlds. It was a four-door that sported some lovely coupe-like touches and near-sports car performance to boot.
1991 Nissan Sentra SE‑R
The Sentra SE-R doesn’t look like much at first glance, but it was a totally refined economy sedan that just about anyone could get their hands on. As well, it was also feature-packed and offered excellent performance for a car in its category.
1991 Nissan Figaro
1991’s Figaro didn’t look like a '90s car at all. It was a deliberate retro throwback by Nissan to recapture some of the elegance of 50s vehicles, complete with chrome accents and white leather seats. Production was limited to a mere 20,000 units, making it a rare beauty indeed.
1989 Nissan Pao
The Figaro wasn’t Nissan’s first throwback vehicle. 1989’s Pao was a quirky little thing, a limited production hatchback that nonetheless packed a ton of charm into its small, compact body. It wasn’t gorgeous in the traditional sense, but it was expertly made and highly detailed.
2002 Nissan Cube
The Nissan Cube is probably one of the most aptly named vehicles in history. Like the Pao, it may not strike you as beautiful in the traditional sense of the word, but its “friendly” appearance and soft edges hint at the incredible craftsmanship that went into making this awesome little vehicle.
2005 Nissan AZEAL
Like the Land Glider that would follow it in 2009, the 2005 AZEAL never made it all the way to production, but many of its design elements found a home in the 2007 Sentra. The AZEAL featured a glass roof, double exhausts, side skirts, and a spoiler to boot, all intended to appeal to younger buyers.
2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet was, unfortunately, not exactly a best-seller. Production ended in 2014, after just three years, but its unique and innovative attempt at blending SUV and convertible styling in one vehicle is definitely something to be praised.
2017 Nissan Sentra NISMO
The 2017 Sentra NISMO was the first of its kind, offering NISMO-tuned suspension in a Sentra package, which proved to be a great success. Along with these mechanical fine-tunings, the NISMO also came with some more aggressive styling options to match its sharper handling.
1982 Nissan March
The Nissan March aimed to provide the Nissan experience to city drivers with its smaller, more compact size and general user-friendliness that made driving it a total breeze. It may not have been the most striking Nissan model, but its easy charm was hard to beat.
1951 Nissan Patrol
First introduced in 1951, the Nissan Patrol has gone through several iterations over the years, with various differences between models in different markets. It’s not as iconic and globally renowned as other Nissan vehicles, but the Patrol proves that Nissan can do rugged just as well as it can do sleekness.
2002 Nissan Silvia
The Silvia may not be as beloved or as universally recognized as, say, the Fairlady Z or Skyline GT-R models. However, when it comes to tuner culture, the Silvia truly embodies the goddess it’s named after, with its distinctive silhouette, wide stance, and pop-up headlights that make it utterly unique.
1989 Nissan 180SX
A Japan-exclusive model that shared a platform with the Silvia, the 180SX offered more of the same as that vehicle, with a turbocharged engine and a lightweight design that made it incredibly fun to drive. It was also plenty stylish to boot.
2003 Infiniti FX
The Infiniti FX was an SUV with coupe-like styling that emphasized its performance capabilities, which far exceeded those of many of its rivals. While not exactly off-road-ready, the Infiniti FX made a grand statement on the roads and highways.
2003 Infiniti G35 Coupe
The Infiniti G35 Coupe further proved that Nissan stood as one of Europe’s strongest competitors in terms of luxury and performance. While its styling wasn’t exactly bold, it was elegant and intentional, and the G35 remains a beloved cult-classic.
2010 Nissan Leaf
Nissan has always been an innovator, and they solidified their willingness to be bold with the Nissan Leaf, one of the world’s leading EVs. While its styling was polarizing at the time, it was undoubtedly bold, with wraparound lights and distinctive aerodynamics.
2019 Nissan Skyline 400R
A high-performance luxury sedan, the 2019 Nissan Skyline 400R proves that you don’t need to sacrifice performance for the sake of comfort. Beyond being a mere powerhouse, however, it’s also immaculately well put together.
1990 Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
Specifically developed for the World Rally Championship, the Pulsar GTI-R was a small car with a big attitude. It was an aggressive little monster that looked so much better than other hatchbacks of the time.
1990 Nissan President
The Nissan President was Japan’s version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, an opulent luxury sedan with a stately presence, clean lines, and a clear visual identity that struck an imposing figure on the roads.
1990 Nissan Primera P10
Also released in 1990 was the Nissan Primera P10, a mid-size family car that, while relatively modest, was actually well ahead of its time in terms of chassis design, as well as its clean, European-flavored looks.
1987 Nissan Patrol Safari
The Patrol Safari is not an international superstar, but in the Middle East, it’s one of the most beloved off-road vehicles in history. Its ruggedness is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also totally functional.
1967 Nissan Bluebird SSS 510
The 510 is often called the “poor man’s BMW 2002”, which really does the brand a disservice. The car featured European styling to give it broader appeal, but no one was doing it quite as purposefully as they were back then.
