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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  Awesome ride - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By top_pro - February 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is awesome to drive. Power, performance from shift to wheels makes this vehicle the car to own. Interior room is enough for two large men. Appointments are well done and the steering is the best Ive felt on the test drives of 4 others. Power is more than enough to make any sports car buff fall in love with this rocket. Great car-great price-great style

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  Couldnt be happier... - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Cheets - February 12 - 2:00 am

  We leased the SL with the Journey package. The navi is awesome and the screen is much easier to read than the orange one. My wife and I test drove several other cars (G35, Acura TL amongst others). This car has the most room front and back. Seats very comfortable for long periods of time. Extremely fun to drive.

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  Love the vehicle - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By j doc - February 11 - 7:33 pm

  I have loved this SUV. I have owned the Quest van previously and also had good experiences with these cars. My vehicle has 80000 miles and has recently had the transmission replaced. Also had the gas cap issue.

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  Ive owned the rest. now I got the BEST - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By smoke20 - February 11 - 6:06 pm

  When I went looking for a new truck, I decided I needed a crew cab because of my kids. Well being a die hard GMC person thats where I went 1st. Prices for a 2 wheel drive four door were crazy!!! To make a long story short I tried every full size truck on the market. I was about to purchase a 2006 dodge with a hemi, when a friend suggested nissan. I was not looking for a Japanese vehicle I told him. Well after he convinced me to test drive a TITAN I bought the truck the same day. My deep water blue TITAN is the best truck I have ever owned Nissan got this one right!

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  Love it! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Jake - February 11 - 4:46 pm

  I recently purchased the SL edition and I have to say I love it! Fun to drive, alot of pep (fast), so many interior options but most of all comfort. Great handling and good on gas. Not your typical sedan thats for sure. I also own a 1998 Maxima that has a ton of miles but, runs like the day I bought it. I definetly recommend Maximas they always have more to offer then comparable sedans and are the most reliable of any other car I have owned including Honda.

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  handsome vehicle - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By james elliston smith - February 11 - 9:33 am

  We have had this vehicle for two months, and so far, more positive than negative. Exceptional gas mileage. Complaints on the car mostly concern its different transmission, the CVT. You just have to learn how to drive it. You wont win any drag racing from a stoplight, but normal driving, this transmission is really smooth. When starting from a standstill, accelerate as if an egg ere under your shoe. Gas mileage is about 26 around town. Very roomy especially back seat. Attractive interior, comfortable on long trips. Compared it to an Explorer which is 6 inches wider and 6 inches longer. Basically, it drives different and takes some getting used to.

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  My new Nissan - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Cindy - February 11 - 2:53 am

  My husband bought this car for me for Mothers Day. I really like this car but I do not love it yet. (I am used to driving a full sized sedan) It is great on gas and easy to drive (although I would have preferred a 5 speed)The biggest complaint I guess I have is that the backseat is rather small. It is great for the small kids but adults or older kids would be very cramped. I would not want to drive it on a long trip with the kids. Overall it is a great car for running errands on and driving around town.

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  Perfect Teenage car! - 1999 Nissan Sentra
  By fm5720 - February 11 - 12:24 am

  This is it. This is the car for any first time drivers. This is the teen car! Nothing too fancy, but it gets you from A to B. The problems though was that I had a crack in the coolant pipe. I have an exhaust leak right now and it drags my rpm down because of it. The driver window is dying and I cant open the trunk with my key. Some rust spots here and there. My belt is making an awful squeaking noise and I think Im going to have to change my alternator soon. In all this car holds up to the abuse of the teenage driver. Great gas mileage, great on highway, easy to negate in almost every tight spot. Its good car but not perfect....unless its for a teenager.

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  LEAF exceeds our expectations! - 2011 Nissan Leaf
  By doeskin - February 10 - 2:12 pm

  Took delivery about a week ago; the car is wonderful, very well engineered, fun to drive; range exceeds their promises; Blink charging station is very user friendly and fun to use; comfortable seats ... we sold our Lexus RX350 since taking delivery because it would probably just sit in the garage. You will not be disappointed!

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  2002 Nissan Sentra - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Fulla - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving this car for the past eight months and Im totally satisfied with this car. No problems, looks great and handles very well. Id recommend this car to anyone, I intend to hand it down to my teenage son eventually and almost hate the thought of giving it up.