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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  2008 Nissan Rocks - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Love it - April 8 - 9:36 pm

  I had a Toyota Tundra and sold it due to its problems! I looked into Tacoma and Frontier. Frontier is far better truck than Tacoma. Nissan Frontier delivers better gas mileage and technology. I love the size and inside the cabin. Nissan should have fog lights as an option for SE model. I am looking into installing an after market fog lights. So far I have 1000 miles and I will update as time goes by!!

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  Just Purchased - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By jbredbug - April 8 - 6:30 pm

  I traded in a PT Cruiser due to poor gas mileage. The Versa has similar interior comfort and size, and hopefully great gas mileage as advertised (too early to tell). I find the ride to be smoother and quieter than expected. Its fun to drive, and turns on a dime. I bought the base model for price, so I have lower expectations and dont wish for much more other than an armrest. I drove it on the interstate and felt 6th gear ratio couldve been higher for less RPMs (its obviously geared for around town driving though). So far, Im very pleased with it. No car achieves the EPA mileage ratings (30- city for the Versa), but Im hopeful for 28 mpg. That would be 10+ mpg better than the PT.

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  The best truck I will ever own. - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By chrischris70 - April 8 - 7:15 am

  My grandfather bought this truck in 2001 on 9-21, while he was on his only break back in town from helping clean up the 9-11 wreckage. This truck had 127,615 miles on it the day that it was totaled, and it held up very well every mile. Even after a 60 MPH crash it was running (very poorly I mind you, but running none the less) and I was able to drive it off of the road out of danger of further collisions. The wreck was not due to blind spots or and defect with the truck, it was do to the 72 year old woman who had no legal rights to be driving, pulling out in front of me while I was going highway speeds. The truck was always a great, dependable vehicle and I never had any issues with it. The visibility of this tuck, had helped me avoid many accidents. The dynamics of the vehicle allowed me to maneuver it to keep the accident from killing anyone, and I was successful ensring that there were no serious injuries, and the biggest injury being a black eye. The truck always got great gas mileage compared to other vehicles of similar years. I will miss this truck. It was a very reliable truck, and it had good dead start acceleration for if I needed it. I will be looking for another one if I can find one, and will be buying it because I trust and love this truck. I strongly recommend one.

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  Excellent vehicle! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By IIIJFULLER - April 8 - 6:40 am

  This is my first SUV and I now have 3265 miles on it. Its fun to drive and handles quite well for a vehicle of this size. Gas mileage is 13.7 city and 17.9 hwy. Im using 87 octane fuel and have no problems with this grade. The pick-up is great and it seems connected to the pavement when taking turns at speed. Handled very well in snow and automatic 4x4 drive. I use automatic 4x4 on wet roads and it tracks well. Im a big person (360 lbs) and fit well in the drivers seat. The leather seat is quite comfortable but a tight fit with the arm rest down. The headlight and wiper controls are too close to the steering wheel and should be relocated. I constantly hit them when I do not want.

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  After 11 months ownership - Very Pleased - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By digitalexplr - April 7 - 6:13 pm

  Just got back after 2300 mile vacation to the Colorado Rockies. The Altima was terrific. Wife has back problems - no issues riding for that distance. Up and down the mountains was effortless. Mileage was outstanding averaging 34mpg for the whole trip. The CVT in mountain driving was pure pleasure. On a couple of really step grades I manually downshifted just for grins. The rest of the time the engine/transmission did a great job of keeping things under control. Even took the Altima on a couple of roads marked for 4wd. it did not complain. I think its part mountain sheep! Very, very please with the Altima.

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  Just bought new SL with tech package. - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By scottybpga - April 7 - 4:07 pm

  Just bought a new Pathfinder SL with the tech package. I only have 400 miles on it so far, but it seems real solid. Great ride, quiet, and I like the seating position, which is very comfortable.

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  All Grown Up! - 2016 Nissan Sentra
  By Dwayne Evors - April 7 - 3:38 pm

  I have owned three Sentras. A 2004 2.4 SR which would move pretty well, but did not get good mileage. A 2012 SR which had a smaller engine, got better gas mileage, handled better and was a good step up from the 2004. And the 2016 SL I have now which is really a nice car. I have owned the Lexus 300 series, 400 series, Camry XLE V6, Nissan Altima V6, 4, Toyota Avalon XLE, Nissan 300ZX, Corvette, just to name a few cars, but this Sentra is really a good upscale feeling car with a touch of luxury and I cant believe I said that. I know that feeling goes away when you push the accelerator to the floor because then you know it is underpowered a bit, but until then and while driving on the highway and around the city it can make your think at least in the leather of the SL that you are in a little luxury sport car. Not bad for a Sentra!

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  The Big Boy - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Bob - April 7 - 1:33 pm

  This SUV is fun to drive and has so much space in it your legs dont hit the seat in front of you. Take this from a guy 62". The boys went out the other night and five of us sat in the first two rows with no problems.

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  Love this car! - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By Rod Newhall - April 6 - 2:03 pm

  Both my sons have had Nissans in the past as well as currently. I have driven their cars, and liked the performance, the ride and comfort. When it came time for us to get a new car, we choose the Maxima and havent regretted it at all. It handles wonderfully in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, along the freeways of Ca. and in particular, along the Coast Highway where we spend a great deal of our time.

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  Highly recommended - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Aki - April 5 - 8:26 pm

  After shopping around for a few days, we almost bought a Mazda3 but changed our mind right after we test-drove a 2007 Sentra (our previous car was Toyota Corolla). We purchased 2.0S four months ago and have never regretted a bit. Thanks to its blocky body and the height-adjustable driverÂ’s seat, getting in and out is very easy. Inside is spacious and quality of materials used is better than competitors. The brakes with ABS work very well, although we first needed to get used to. CVT is a definite plus and the smooth flow of power is fantastic, particularly when driving on steep hills with cruise control engaged: I will never want to go back to an old-fashioned automatic transmission.