Overview & Reviews

Nissan was born in Japan, and like other marques from its homeland, the brand is known for crafting vehicles that place an emphasis on quality and reliability. The company's roster of products is broad, and includes sporty coupes, family sedans, minivans, trucks and SUVs.

The automaker got its start in 1933 as the Jidosha Seico Co., Ltd. The following year, this outfit merged with another Japanese manufacturer, and the new company was christened Nissan Motor Company, Ltd. Nissan initially marketed its vehicles under the Datsun brand, with the first Datsuns being built in 1934. Postwar, the brand made its presence felt worldwide, building a partnership with the U.K.-based Austin Motor Co. and establishing a presence in the United States. The first Datsuns hit American shores in 1958. Vehicles like the Datsun 1000 were based on Austin platforms.

The '60s witnessed Nissan's merger with Prince Motor Company, a union that helped the Asian manufacturer create more luxury-focused vehicles. In the U.S. it began offering its first vehicle styled for the U.S. market, the Datsun 510 sedan. By the end of the decade, Datsun had exported more than 1 million vehicles. Datsun rose to prominence in the 1970s on the popularity of its 240Z sports car. Powered by an inline six-cylinder engine, the car was coveted for its blend of style, performance and affordability. By the time the '70s drew to a close, the automaker's cumulative vehicle exports had surpassed the 10 million mark.

In 1981, Nissan shelved the Datsun name and began selling vehicles worldwide under the Nissan moniker. The '80s also saw Nissan's launch of a tuning division called Nismo for the development of performance-oriented vehicles and accessories. Nissan also brought its production to American shores, with the construction of a Georgia-based plant.

The early '90s saw Nissan's fortunes rise in the U.S. thanks to fun-to-drive cars like the 300ZX, Maxima and Sentra. But this trend didn't last long and by the late '90s Nissan's offerings consisted of anonymous vehicles. The company's future was uncertain.

After the turn of the new century Nissan bounced back, helped by a 1999 alliance with Renault that boosted the company's finances. Its redesigned Sentra and Altima boosted sales and consumer interest, as did new models like the 350Z sports car, Armada SUV and Titan pickup. Today the manufacturer is known for offering a wide range of well-regarded vehicles, including the popular Murano SUV, the incredible GT-R supercar and the all-electric Leaf.

User Reviews:

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  I love my Versa Note - 2014 Nissan Versa Note
  By Stacey - March 23 - 7:02 am

  I have owned my Note for a little over two years and have about 60,000 miles on it. I have a long work commute and was sick of giving half my money to the oil industry. I get about 37mpg. Compared to similar cars, the Note has a lot of space and cargo room. Five of us to Florida on a camping trip cargo room. Mine did come with an unlimited power train warranty from the dealership. I have kept up with every single required maintenance. I love my car, but if youre looking for a sports tuner, this isnt it. This is a good run around with the kids car. Its like my mini SUV. BTW, my husband is 62" and has plenty of head and leg room, which was one of his big concerns when I decided to go to a small car.

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  Perfection is called "maxima" - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By Burgeson - March 23 - 4:23 am

  In these times of high gas prices, the Maxima is the way to combine perfect performance on the gas meter and the spedometer. A wonderful ride, and great standard sound system. The only automatic car a "stick" driver would love. Pick up is amazing!

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  Great car! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By katherine - March 23 - 2:56 am

  Searched and checked out all the small SUVs and found the rogue to have the best combination of comfort, options, quality and price. Compared it to the Honda CRV and Toyota RAV4, test drove those and then finally the drove the Rogue--hands down the better driving experience, sometimes I forget that I am in an SUV and not a car!

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  Worst Engine by Nissans Ever - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Chris - March 23 - 1:16 am

  Only consider purchasing a 3.5L engine do not buy a 2.5L 4 cyl lemon!!! These engines have problems with pre-cat manifold, bolts from intake manifold can potentially enter the cylinders, crank/cam position sensors go bad, heating/AC problems. Other then that the car is great, really liked brakes and suspension, and gas mileage which varied from 21 to 27mpg. I bought the car around 75k-80k miles and it was already loosing oil since I fortunately noticed it right away after I bought it. Car had pre-cat replaced under warranty right before I bought it but the damage to engine from intake bolts or pre-cat was already done. The car mysteriously was losing 1qt of oil every week, after full

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  Great car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Erik - March 22 - 9:52 pm

  2nd car I ever owned. Have had only one alternator replacement, valve head gasket replacement and some sensors as major repairs. Other than that, the car has been super good. I have spent a total of about $7000 for all repairs AND maintenance, including tires in 11 years of ownership. I have put over 200K miles on it and it has NEVER left me stranded. 70K of those miles were in NYC and those roads and the stop and go destroys the car. However, the car is still going strong. Of course, I have done most of the repairs and maintenance myself. So I have same a VERY large amount in labor.

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  25th month impression - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By vintagenick - March 22 - 12:56 pm

  Terrible gas mileage - runs better and more efficiently on high test (uggh!); terrible in snow with or without 4WD engaged; little cargo room in back; seat areas are cramped - particularly in cockpit; still nicer appearance, fit & finish than 06 model; great overall build, but will never purchase another - price tag and costs of ownership (gas, insurance) just arent worth it - - I can drive a GM or FORD for less (and better MPG) and still be quite pleased

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  A change, but I like it! - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By easygo3 - March 22 - 11:51 am

  Ive had the Platinum Pathfinder for about a month now. It got a rude introduction to winter shorly after I got it, but it came through with flying colors. I traded in a Siverado 4x4 4dr, so the smaller size is taking some getting used to, but the gas mileage and ease of parking are helping a lot! Even with only 600 miles of primarily city driving, and lots of cold weather idling, Im averaging nearly 18 mpg overall.

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  1997 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD SE - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By tinneywife - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We have had this vehicle for almost 2 years now. It had 50K miles when we purchased it, but I felt comfortable because it was a Nissan. We have had a few problems: replacing struts & strut plates (I have never taken it off- road), cracked manifold, replaced brakes twice, and info. lights in cluster sometimes go off for no mechanical reason.

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  Great Minivan! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mike in Atlanta - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We just picked up our loaded 2004 Quest SE this weekend. So far no problems at all. My wife will need to get used to the center instruments, but its not that big of a deal once you drive it for a day or so. We traded in a Suburban for this van - we have 5 kids so we need lots of room! I love the folding seats - for us it was either this van or the Chrysler T&C. The Quests center shoulder belt in the 3rd row and its huge cool factor closed the deal!

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  I cant say enough about my Murano... - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Dawson - March 21 - 7:00 pm

  Ive had my Murano for about 3 weeks now and I love it. Its a great balance of all the things youd expect in a vehicle. I have a great respect for this vehicle and Nissan altogether. It was really put to the test during this snow storm that we had. I didnt have to dig nothing. I just put it in drive and went. Thats what I call a kicking SUV. Id recommend anyone who wants a SUV to check out the Murano....You will not be disappointed.