Although enthusiasts don't seem to pay much attention to the Nissan Altima, buyers in the fiercely competitive mid-size segment certainly do: the five-year-old sedan emerged as last year's second-best-selling car in America. But before you attribute the Altima's big sales numbers to Toyota's post-tsunami supply problems or to the Camry's model changeover, know that the Camry retained its best-seller crown.

Will absence make our hearts grow fonder of the Four Seasons Nissan Juke? The Ann Arbor-based Automobile Magazine staff members will find out, because the quirky hatchback just left for a stay on the East Coast with senior editor Joe Lorio, who had a lot to say about the car even before he left Michigan:

This is our last goodbye to the Pathfinder, at least in the form we've known it for decades. Since 1986, the Pathfinder has always shared its body-on-frame architecture with Nissan's compact pickups. That's still the case today, but the automaker has already announced the next Pathfinder will instead be based off the unibody Murano crossover.

April in Michigan means opening day for the Detroit Tigers, and the arrival of baseball season means winter is essentially over. No more winter means that the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 winter tires are now off of our Four Seasons Nissan Juke. Our Juke came from the factory wearing Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires, but last October we replaced them with Kumho Ecsta 4X performance rubber, which we found to be grippier and less prone to tire squeal than the stock Goodyears. The Michelin winter tires performed well (albeit in a remarkably mild winter), but we're definitely glad to have the Kumhos back on the Juke -- their excellent grip really helps emphasize the small, turbocharged car's fun-to-drive spirit.

The Maxima is a storied nameplate, at least at Nissan. It's actually older than the Nissan name in the United States, as it dates back to the Datsun days. For a long time, the Maxima enjoyed a reputation as a fast, comfortable, sporting machine, back when most Japanese sedans were depressing econo-boxes. Years ago, it was advertised as "the four-door sports car." Recently, Nissan has resurrected that claim. But is that still the case?

The 2013 Nissan Altima is not dramatically different from the current car. It looks a lot like the old car, and even uses essentially the same inline-four and V-6 engines as the 2012 Altima. Even so, it's clear that Nissan has paid attention to evolving nearly every element of the Altima. The sedan is important not only because it is Nissan's top-selling car, but also because the Altima is the second best-selling car in the country.

Like many other truck-based SUVs, the Armada was created in another time, when bigger was better, sacrifices were made to have three rows to not be in a minivan, and 20 MPG was wonderful but unnecessary. Sadly for the Armada, times have changed and it has not. Based on and developed alongside the Titan pickup, the Armada was Nissan's attempt to cash in on the full-size SUV market that the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Ford Expedition had long dominated. When the Armada hit the scene in 2004, the fact that it handled like and got the fuel economy of a truck mattered little to customers. Now, it's hard to justify the $55,000 price tag of our tester when its competition has advanced so much further. However, Nissan did get one thing right -- the front seats are very comfortable and surprisingly well-bolstered giving the non-sporting demeanor of this truck.

It's a brave new world, kids, and in that new world, the number of cylinders an engine has is almost irrelevant to its horsepower output. For that, you can thank the proliferation of turbochargers. These days, the two biggest variables in power output are engine displacement and boost pressure, period.

The face of our Four Seasons Nissan Juke is perhaps its most distinctive feature. The headlamps are set low, and the turn signals/parking lights are separated by several inches of real estate and bulge up above the curvature of the hood and fenders. This results in a unique nighttime vantage point that most drivers and front-seat passengers think is pretty cool.

Yes, the Nissan Invitation, which debuted today at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, is technically a concept - but officials have already confirmed the vehicle will be going into production in short order.

Fresh off its Detroit release of the Pathfinder concept, Nissan's set to launch another refreshed SUV - albeit this one isn't likely to show up in our market any time soon. The sketch above reportedly previews the Nissan Hi-Cross Concept, which will officially debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

At the mid-point in our yearlong test of the Nissan Juke, we've driven fewer miles than we usually do. The greater concern, however, is how few miles we're able to drive on each tankfull of fuel. The Juke's fuel range is pretty dismal. We've managed to get more than 300 miles out of just one tank so far, which is a relatively poor statistic, although the fact that it hasn't done a whole lot of highway time may be a contributing factor. We've averaged 25 mpg for the first six months of our test, though, which is OK but certainly not great for a very small car that takes premium fuel. That's 2 mpg lower than the EPA combined rating a Juke equipped like ours, with front-wheel drive and the six-speed manual (the EPA's city/highway ratings are 24/31 mpg). We've had tank averages in the low 30s a few times, but that's been the exception rather than the rule.

From here on out, you're going to need to be a bit more specific when referring to a Nissan NV. The automaker announced today it's adding the compact NV200 to its North American commercial van lineup for the 2013 model year, joining the gargantuan NV1500, NV2500, and NV3500 models we've come to know and admire, if not love.

Though it walks in the shadow of the omnipotent GT-R, Nissan’s 370Z hasn’t been completely forgotten about. In fact, the company has a few changes in store for the 2012 model year -- although, as Nissan freely admits, they’re relatively subtle.

Five months into its one-year test, our Four Seasons Nissan Juke has racked up fewer than 9000 miles, which is a very slow pace for the road-hungry folks at Automobile Magazine. Still, that's enough usage that our funky-looking Nissan recently visited the dealer for routine maintenance for the second time. (Nissan recommends service every 3750 miles.)

I like the fact that, when I got in the Murano, the ergonomics were all so transparent. I needed to adjust the sideview mirrors, and my left hand went up to the door panel and immediately found an easy-to-use twist dial for adjusting the mirrors. I needed to adjust the steering wheel, and my left hand immediately found a power tilt-and-telescope button on the left side of the steering column. I needed to adjust the seat, and my left hand then immediately found the seat control on the outboard edge of the seat bottom, and there was no fumbling around trying to figure out how to use it; it was immediately obvious. I wanted to turn on the seat heater, and I found the seat heater button in a microsecond. I wanted to hook up my phone to Bluetooth, and that took only about 15 seconds. These things go a long way toward everyday usability.

Based in part on the Leaf electric car, the Nissan eNV200 Concept converts the company's not-yet-released small commercial van to all-electric power.

After 25 years in the U.S. market, the Nissan Pathfinder will cease being the capable body-on-frame SUV it is today and instead become a seven-passenger crossover in its next generation. Showing off the future of the nameplate is the Nissan Pathfinder Concept bowing at the 2012 Detroit auto show. Though some may have a hard time accepting the switchover, they'll have to get used to it, as the concept previews the 2013 Pathfinder set to hit Nissan dealers in the fall.

About the same time we took our first turn behind the wheel of a Juke, we realized that its specifications are eerily similar to those of the Mini Cooper S Countryman. Length, width, and height measurements of the two cars are all within an inch of each other; both cars are powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces about 180 horsepower; and both small crossovers are available with front- or all-wheel drive. About a year later, we're well into a Four Seasons test of each model. Besides the styling, the biggest difference between the Mini and the Nissan is their price: our bare-bones, front-wheel-drive Juke stickers for $21,815, while our well-optioned, all-wheel-drive Countryman has an as-tested price of $34,350. Based on my colleagues' recent comments, though, the price tags could be reversed and we'd probably still prefer the Juke.

The Nissan Altima is a quietly competent vehicle. There's no flashy design, no fancy dual-clutch automatic transmission, and no high-performance pretensions here. But there's also nothing really wrong with the Altima, which is why it's always near the top of the all-important mid-size-sedan sales charts.

The 370Z is, first and foremost, a sports car designed for driving pleasure. Its stiff suspension, strong brakes, and throaty engine are all designed to please enthusiasts. However, while it will make aggressive drivers smile, the 370Z is a little hard-edged for an everyday car. The ride can be harsh, and the engine sounds loud and unrefined when pushed. A 3.7-liter V-6 engine produces 332 hp. A six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission direct power to the rear wheels. Cars equipped with the manual gearbox and the Sport package also have SynchroRev Match, a cool feature that automatically blips the throttle when the driver selects a lower gear. It makes sporty driving easy for those who struggle with heel-toe downshifting and can be disabled if drivers want full control. Cars with the automatic transmission have steering-wheel-mounted paddles for manual shifting. Both coupe and convertible body styles are available, the latter wearing a fabric top that retracts in about twenty seconds. Storage beneath the coupe's glass liftgate is cramped, and the convertible has an even smaller trunk. Fortunately, the interior has several storage cubbies to help transport smaller items. Buyers seeking even more performance can opt for the NISMO model, which uses a reprogrammed engine computer and louder exhaust to extract 350 hp from the V-6 engine. Available only as a coupe and with a manual transmission, the NISMO also receives stiffer springs and dampers.

The Altima is a stylish, well-equipped car available in sedan or coupe form. Both versions are attractive and have upscale interiors; from some angles, the voluptuous Altima coupe somewhat resembles the pricier Infiniti G37. The coupe's sporty styling cues include dual exhaust tips, clear taillight housings, and an optional trunk spoiler. Unfortunately, the driving experience doesn't live up to the athletic design's promise. The chassis is soft and the steering feel poor, making the Altima better for commuting and highway cruising than aggressive driving. All Altimas drive competently, and models with the V-6 engine are remarkably quick. Coupes can be equipped with a six-speed manual, but sedans are offered only with a continuously variable transmission. That's no downfall, as the CVT is one of the best and smoothest such transmissions on the market. The four-cylinder engine is quite efficient for a car of this size, returning 31 or 32 mpg on the highway depending on transmission choice. All Altimas have Intelligent Key push-button start, nine cupholders, lots of safety equipment, and a vehicle alarm. Options include iPod connectivity, heated mirrors, a backup camera, Bluetooth, and a touch-screen navigation system. The Altima has plenty of style, and the sedan is plenty roomy--factors that keep the sedan near the top of the sales chart for mid-size cars. It's too bad that the driving experience of the sportier-looking coupe doesn't match up to its striking design.

The Armada is something of a rarity in new-car lots: a truck-based, eight-passenger SUV. Although large SUVs are not as popular as they once were, there are still buyers who need the strength and versatility of just such a vehicle. The Armada can tackle unpaved terrain thanks to a tough truck chassis and beefy low-range four-wheel drive. It can also tow up to 9000 pounds. A third-row seat is standard. Although the cabin isn't quite as cavernous as the exterior dimensions suggest, space is plentiful. The quality of some interior materials is wanting, but the space can be dressed up with optional wood trim and leather. The Armada comes with such standard items as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, eighteen-inch wheels, automatic headlights, a power driver's seat, an eight-speaker sound system, and power-adjustable pedals. The lengthy options list includes push-button start, a power liftgate, Bluetooth, touch-screen navigation, a rear-seat DVD player, and twenty-inch wheels. The sole powertrain is a stout 5.6-liter V-8 and a five-speed automatic transmission, with either rear- or four-wheel drive. Rear-wheel-drive models get 1 extra mpg, but with a beast this thirsty, that's a negligible improvement. Four-wheel-drive models have a low-range mode with crawl ratios for extreme towing or off-roading needs. Compared with its rivals, the big Nissan drives more like a truck and less like a luxury machine. It is, however, still a worthy choice if you need to haul a big family, travel through the woods, and tow a boat--all at the same time.

With its asymmetrical styling, side-opening back door, and water-droplet-inspired interior, the Nissan Cube certainly pegs the geek-chic meter. The divisive styling conceals a tall hatchback that is remarkably practical and comfortable. Small wheels located at the far corners of the car preserve plenty of interior space--but at the expense of making the Cube look rather toylike. A well behind the rear seats provides plenty of cargo space, and the seats fold forward (but not flat into the floor) for carrying larger items. The car's low step-in height; large doors; expansive windows; and wide, plush seats make it pleasant to ride in. The driving experience is somewhat less enjoyable, with tepid acceleration from the 122-hp in-line four-cylinder engine, numb steering, and plenty of wind noise. The Cube can be equipped with either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission, both of which return good fuel economy. Ripple-effect plastics and a shag-carpet dashboard mat make for an intriguing interior. It was designed as a "casual lounge" and has enough head- and legroom to please even the tallest occupants. Gadgets like push-button start, navigation, Bluetooth, and a backup camera are available on higher trim levels. For those who want to add their own designer touches, Nissan offers a long list of accessories for the Cube, ranging from new wheels and spoilers to chrome trim pieces.

The 2012 Nissan Frontier competes in the dwindling mid-size pickup segment. Some manufacturers (Ford, Dodge) have killed off their mid-size trucks, and others may follow suit. Although the Frontier is smaller than the full-size pickups that dominate the market, it is still plenty of truck for most buyers. A fully boxed chassis, steel construction, and leaf-spring rear suspension mean the medium-sized Frontier can provide almost as much work capability as bigger vehicles. Ample tow ratings, a large bed, and a big interior make the Nissan a strong contender in its segment. It's available in King Cab, with hinged rear half-doors, or four-door crew-cab configurations. There is a 152-hp four-cylinder engine for the base King Cab model, but all other trim levels receive a 4.0-liter V-6 with 261 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. For serious work, four-wheel-drive models can be equipped with a locking rear differential, tough Bilstein shock absorbers, and skid plates. Hill-descent control, hill-start assist, and a low-range mode all help owners who take their Frontiers off the beaten track. The interior is very usable, with practical touches like dual locking glove boxes, an optional fold-flat passenger seat, and lots of cupholders. The plain design and the durable plastics look a bit dated. However, the Nissan Frontier is nearly as capable as some full-size trucks, and its tidier dimensions and lower price make it an attractive choice for buyers who need to do light towing, hauling, or off-roading.