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:

• 

  CHEVEATR - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By 4SFEDZ - December 12 - 10:00 am

  A build qaulity like no other,a bold face with legs to match,at an affordable price.The 350zs only downfall is its lacking of a turbo charger,(yet i have gotten around this problem with an aftermarket adaption of a t28 ballbearing turbine and cooler to match, good for 1.3 bar).Not a common vehicle witch attracts plenty of head turns,a classy streetracer with the elloquence no clumsy V8 could ever match.

• 

  Great car for the money! - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By Tallync - December 11 - 6:46 pm

  There are so many features that I love that anything bad is totally outweighed. The backseat moving forward and back has been a life saver in hauling things! It drives very smooth most of the time, although CVT is hard to get used to after always having an automatic. It has a tendency to rev up if you push the pedal down too fast, which can be irritating until youre used to it. The gas mileage has always been in the 28-30 range that they advertise, but never higher. Took a roadtrip 800 miles each way and seats were comfy. Overall, I still really love this car after 6500 miles. I have had no quality or reliability problems and Nissan has always addressed my concerns promptly.

• 

  So Smooth! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Grace - December 11 - 11:50 am

  I traded in an 02 Honda for this car and am so glad I did. I cant believe all the features that this car offers for just over $20k. I dislike the way Nissan lumps their options but the S model has everything I wanted without going overboard. Im sure I will get a speeding ticket and this car has some power to only have 4cly. I have to keep the cruise set otherwise I find myself going 80 and dont even realize it. I researched the new Camry, Accord, and Malibu and this won hands down in my book. From safety to features, to the ride. It a family sedan with a sleek look that is so sexy! And you have to admit the push button start is so much fun.

• 

  A brand new Rogue SL AWD - 2014 Nissan Rogue
  By earthwateruser - December 11 - 10:07 am

  I just purchased a new Rogue and the car performed very well on a long road trip. Highway comfort is excellent, with only a bit of road noise on rough highways. The 2.5L powerplant has enough power and the trade off for fuel economy is one Im happy to make. The CVT is fine, but Im used to one. Highway mileage hovered around 30 mpg w/ my overall economy only slightly lower at 27.5. The car seems to be a great value. We looked at all the competitors in the segment (and some outside it) and the Rogue SL interior was, by far, the nicest. Suspension is very good. Bose stereo also very good. A very nice car all around. Definitely worth a look if you shop this segment.

• 

  This car is awsome. - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By mg - December 11 - 8:03 am

  Love this car. Its very quiet on the highway with 20in wheels. Extremely comfortable and luxurious. Stereo system sound is great. All the appointments in the car are very well done. Cant say enough. very pleased.

• 

  sweet!! - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By incrediblehonky - December 11 - 4:56 am

  this truck is awesome. i got lucky finding this one. i looked within 500 mile of my home, no luck then my local dealer got one. every aspect of this truck is awesome, from the rockford fosgate sterio to the rear locker. this truck has the feel of a luxury suv with real 4x4 performance.

• 

  Love the Sentra - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Schabotnik - December 10 - 9:53 pm

  For those in the market for a small car, I cant imagine how you can do better than the Sentra. I went from a gas guzzling, junk heap Wrangler, and havent regretted a second. Its fun to drive, handles great, quiet, smooth, great MPG. Honestly, I dont know what some of these reviewers are thinking. This thing is awesome in all regards.

• 

  This car was well maintained - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Eleisha Redmond - December 10 - 3:46 pm

  This car is Stylish and comfortable

• 

  We love it! - 2010 Nissan Sentra
  By Dave - December 10 - 6:06 am

  We have not owned a compact car in years and after test driving many models we were not sure we were willing to give up the quiet smooth ride in exchange for gas mileage. Once we test drove the Sentra we knew immediately it was the car we were looking for. It is very quiet with a smooth ride and has extremely comfortable seats. The cabin gives the feel of a much larger vehicle and the 2.0 engine has no issues with acceleration when needed. We purchased the 2.0 S, and found the standard features to be extensive. The 5 star crash rating was a bonus.

• 

  3k miles in, great car so far. - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Maximus16 - December 9 - 4:38 pm

  Bought a white Platinum for my wife. At first I did not want this car. I wasnt to big on the body change and powertrain. I really expected Nissan to pump out more than 300hp and 261 torque. The Nismo edition is supposed to have 325hp - 298 torque, well see how it does. But I went to the dealership, sat in one, played around with the controls then test drove.. I ended up trading in my 2012 SV model (I made reviews on here before - Maximus12). I can tell the CVT has improved. It does feel slightly faster than my 2012 model, this one will get up and go. The seats are more comfortable. The center console does sit a little high but part of that design was so you rest your arm on it and use the center menu buttons and control wheel comfortably while driving. The technology in this car is great. 4 cameras, lane departure sensors, accident prevention sensors, music over bluetooth. The lighting inside wood panel at night looks pretty neat. I would say Nissan did well with this redesign. I did read the other reviews on here and seeing others having issues with their moon roof and memory seating. I will say our memory seating is not working. Well save our settings for drivers 1 and 2 then the next day, neither button works. I will be addressing this to the dealership. No issues with moon roof yet. Hopefully none. One thing for you guys to watch out for- our model has lighter tan leather (I would say more white than tan) and my wifes jeans are turning the leather blue. These are not cheap Wal Mart jeans either. Purchasing some leather cleaner from Advanced Auto Parts or Auto Zone removes the blue. Not sure what that is about.. We have a 4runner with tan leather seats and it does not happen in there. Overall were happy with the car. I will post again around 10k miles.