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 CHOICE! - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By SHALOM - December 31 - 2:00 am

  WE BOUGHT OUR PF USED AFTER COMPARING TO HONDA, INFINITY, & TOYOTA. RIDE BETTER IN NISSAN. COULDNT JUSTIFY PAYING CLOSE TO 30K FOR A USED VEHICLE. TRIED TO BUY GM BUT COULDNT COMPARE AND WE KNEW SOMEONE WHO HAD TWO PATHFINDERS IN THE PAST WITHOUT ONE TRIP FOR A REPAIR. THE RIDE IS NICE AND COMFORTABLE (WE ARE ALL UNDER 59"). LOVED OPTIONS ON THE LE. PUT TOGETHER BETTER THAN GM - WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL WITH LOTS OF REPAIRS AND SMALL THINGS GOING WRONG WITH AFTER 2 TO 3 YEARS. THIS VEHICLE IS SO SOLID! SEARCHED HARD TO FIND A USED LE - MUST SAY SOMETHING!

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  This Is My Second Pathfinder - 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
  By TLG - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Had a 94 Pathfinder that I just gave to my son and bought a 2004 because I never had a moment of trouble with the previous car. This one drives smoothly like a ca. The cabin air filter is wonderful as is the POP package extras I could drive forever. Lots of comfort. This car is powerful and gets me onto the highway without hesitation. No problem with room in the back. The dealer was great too. Ill be buying my third Pathfinder in ten years.

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  super car - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By threedayride - December 31 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Maxima, and Ill drive it for 300K. Rode first one 220K, then gave it to my son who has had no problems. Style is dated on the 2003, but i couldnt wait for the 04s, which are beautiful. Totally dependable, no warranty work required at all.

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  Great So Far... - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By G&G - December 31 - 2:00 am

  We are leasing a 5-speed, and have been very pleased so far. About 24,000 km to date, mostly highway commuting to work. No major repairs required to date. Controls are easy to find and operate, split seats in back make it easy to "borrow" more trunk space when we need it, great storage space inside. We test drove the Mazda, Honda and Saturn in the same category and feel we are getting more car for the money.

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  my frontier - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By aprado - December 31 - 2:00 am

  at first i like the old hardbody design and then i needed a new one specially the crewcab having one child and a lot of people asking for help if they needed to move something, it turned out i wasnt wrong of chosing my frontier crewcab but sure would be better if it was timing chain instead of timing belt like the new pathfinder.thats all i did replace my timing belt and its new again.

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  Nissan Maxima 02 - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Ignacio Mejia - December 31 - 2:00 am

  The 02 Maxima is very sporty, powerfull as well as atractive. It looks like a luxury car, and drives like a sports car. I have been very pleased with everything my Maxima has to offer. It is not that good with gas mielage, but then again, I used to drive a celica.

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  Luvmynissan - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By luvmynissan - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It provides excellent performance and handling and looks great on the road!!

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  i like it - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By candiiiiiiii - December 31 - 2:00 am

  i like this car but its tiny. i went from an xterra to this with two kids... but its a great car.

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  Mom of 4 - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By yvette - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I am totally in love with my new Nissan Quest! I love everything about it! I get so many complements on the looks and from my passengers on the way it rides. My husband who drives an Jaguar Xjs even loves to drive it.

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  Overpriced - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By rich1234r - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I like my truck.. but being tall... it isnt made for tall people.... I also think that its way overpriced compared to similar options and packages that the F-150 offers.