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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  Best Compact for Your Money! - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Darren - January 24 - 4:56 am

  I love the design of this truck. I compared it with the Toyota Tacoma before I bought it. This is definitely a better truck. The Tacoma looks too plain and a little too conservative for my taste. The interior design of the Frontier is the best in its class. Overall a great truck for a very reasonable price!

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  Great Car - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By epr1066 - January 24 - 4:06 am

  Its a fabulous car. The exterior design is just magnificent and the addition of the double moonroof is unique. The interior design is simple but well executed, while the ride and handling is superb. I have no complaints (yet)- I love this car!

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  Class with economy - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Polverizer - January 23 - 9:23 pm

  The Altima coupe has the best-looking backend of any car out there at any price. Look at it from the rear and a little to the side and its a joy to behold. The 4 cylinders get you up to speed without even trying. Back seat has more headroom (slightly) than the Scion tC and Civic coupe -- but a 6-footers head might touch the rear window. Not sure about mileage. Im still on the first tank, but it seems fairly decent. Front seats are very comfortable, with good drivers lumbar support. Drivers leg compartment is more comfortable than Civic coupe, where the parking hand brake bothered my knee, and more spacious than the Mazda 3 sedan that crowded my lower leg. A lot of quality for the money.

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  Love my TITAN! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Mary - January 23 - 7:56 am

  I have owned trucks all my life... Chevy, Ford and even a Dodge... By far this is the best truck for the money! Handling is superior. Takes a little while to learn to park this big boy in tight spots! Drive it, you will see for yourself that Nissan has created the perfect truck!

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  Awesome!! - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By kolzilla - January 23 - 2:26 am

  I just recently bought my Nissan and Love it. Its so comfortable and handles the road like I was driving my Mustang. I wanted something a little bigger than what i had which was chev blazer and with a little more horsepower. Even tho I got a used car with low mileage its still a great purchase. I recommend this vehicle to anyone..

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  Love it!! - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Thunder - January 23 - 12:30 am

  Got my 06 4WD Xterra, basic "X" model a week ago. Im lovin it. Great power, great handling, great view from way up high. I can see why its the Motor trend SUV of the year. Nothing luxurious about it, but with all that Nissan packed in to this truck.. Mid $22K for a 4WD, 265 hp, auto + is as good of a deal as youre going to find. Ride is a bit bumpier than a standard sedan but it is a true off-road capable truck/suv after all.

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  What a great car! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By My red versa - January 21 - 1:43 am

  I just got this car last week, and I love it. I had a van and was worried that it would be hard to adjust to a smaller vehicle, but it wasnt. The Versa has a lot of head room and driver and passengers sit up fairly high. There is a lot of room in this little car. And I love the way it looks. It drives nicely and has a lot of pep, too. I havent had it long enough to check if the mileage is as advertised, but Im sure itll be better than the van.

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  04 in 2009 - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Guitarman - January 20 - 11:56 am

  Just bought and I like it but every thing i have read about reviews is there, Wheel shimmy at 45, brakes pull when stopping, seats not comfy, sunroof stopped working, so will the rest happen too? I hope not it only has 11,000 miles on it and i do like it, and its mint shape like new, oh well hope i helped some one else, Gas milage is great 385 miles a tank full gas

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  Great Long Distance Marketing Car - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Road Warrior 1958 - January 20 - 6:50 am

  Bought new have 47,500 miles on it already. Only real complaint is the gas mileage in town is a mere 17 on the highway it gets 22 . Be aware though in the beginning the car gets only 18 miles overall untill the engine is broken in somwhere around 15,000 miles. The comfort and ride and handling are excellent for a suv and is almost car like. Will buy the upgraded version next time cause heated seats and the additional toys are fun. I have had no traction problems with the 2wd version and it is more economical on gas and maintance than AWD.

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  great car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By J.Ostuni - January 20 - 4:26 am

  Traded in my 2005 Pathfinder for this 2006 Altima. I travel twice a day to Raleigh and the gas difference is amazing. Very easy to handle especially coming from an suv. Has great pep for a 4cylinder, just what I need. I highly recommend this vehicle! Very dependable!