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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  Fun Car - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By waveman - January 1 - 1:00 am

  Had my 2009 Maxima for week now, fun to drive. Cant wait for next trip. Mileage seems to be good. Bought the 2009SV with Sport Package, mats and splash guards. List $35733 paid $29700 minus my trade.

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  DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Lee - January 1 - 12:25 am

  You can be like me and not heed other peoples warnings thinking, oh none of those things will ever happen to my truck or the one I buy!!! Trust me do not buy a nissan titan they are junk period!!! And not IF but WHEN something breaks have fun dealing with nissan to fix it!!!

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  I have owned two 2010 Nissan Rogues! - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Athena - December 31 - 10:06 pm

  Back in November Hampton Roads was hit by a nasty Noreaster, and my 08 Nissan Sentra was totaled. Myself and my 2 yr old ended up driving into a flooded street at 4 am, and had to get pulled out by the police. After this incident I decided that my next vehicle had to be some sort of SUV. First time up I purchased a 2010 SL Rogue FWD, then the following winter we received highly unusual amounts of snow, and I noticed that my car didnt handle as well as Id liked. Just yesterday, 6 mos later I took my car in for routine maintenance and left with a 2010 SL Nissan Rogue AWD. I love it! It handles superbly, as did the FWD, but now that we are expecting a little boy in June I am more confident!

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  Edmunds Was Right - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By heYsogoL - December 31 - 9:30 pm

  Incredible power to start with, further increased with Volant air intake and Gibson dual exhaust with corresponding MPG improvement-approx 2-3 MPG. Great handling after changing stock Goodyear Wranglers to Goodrich All Terrains and still with sedan-like ride. Solid- comfy-well appointed interior with wonderful sound system and power back window. Excellent truck bed management layout including tailgate dampers. Overall, very well designed and engineered with tremendous attention to details. Now that Nissan has gotten over the brake shimmy problem and electrical problem, Consumer Report will have to do a follow-up with vastly different result. An Outstanding Truck- Edmunds is Right On!

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  Stalling issues - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By JT - December 31 - 8:56 pm

  The car looks great and is usually fun to drive. The 2.5 engine is really loud at high speeds. When driving on the freeway for an hour or more at a time, the transmission gets stuck and will try to idle in 3rd gear when it comes to a stop, causing the car to stall. The Nissan dealer could not find any problems and they didnt know what to do about it. The problem has gotten worse on each trip that Ive taken.

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  My New Baby - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By lovemynissan - December 31 - 8:40 pm

  Well, I finally broke down and purchased this sweet ride. It is an absolutely wonderful car and I cannot rave more about the CVT transmission. Just when I thought I wouldnt get any pep from a 4 cyl. engine and I would have to bite the gas mileage bullet and go with a 6, I drove this. Its fun, stylish, and sexy. The warranty leaves a bit to be desired, especially because of all the alternative out right now, but I purchased an extended in case.

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  Road Noise????? - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By DinDenver - December 31 - 7:06 pm

  I would have to say that I love everything about this car expect for the road noise. I feel like my undercarriage is going to fall off every time I go over a bump, and there is a lot of shaking going on under there as well. Other than that the car is great, the redesigned interior for 2005 looks so much better than the preceding years.

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  awesome suv - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By jill - December 31 - 5:26 pm

  We just bought the car a day ago and we just cant drive it enough :-) My boys just love it and they love the third seat in the back. It is a very smooth ride and it handles great!

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  Disappointing - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Sirgwhiz - December 31 - 3:30 am

  Bought vehicle new; mpg ratings were 16-20. Had an 03 Maxima rated at 24-28 mpg; in 45k miles avged 31.5. Expected Xterra to avg 20 or better. Highest ever was 17. Service rep said it was within specs and offered no help. Dealer couldnt reprogram. Overall it is rugged, manages very well in snow and slush and truly is a stable multiple purpose vehicle. Circuit card for fan and AC burned out, $60; clunking in drive train after 35k miles, dealer replaced front and rear drive shafts did not fix the noise. Spare tire lift mechanism broke ($140 - replaced it myself); jack is cheap and bent in use; leak in tailgate corroded lock; wheel bearing went out at 65000, tow & repair $900

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  Show Stopper - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Melissa Littell - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I loved the car while I was able to drive it. Found out I was expecting and had to give the car to my husband and get something else. Hope to get another one for me