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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  Altima 2.5 S Great Head Room - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By buddy - September 3 - 10:00 am

  This car has a very good blend of performance with 175HP engine and gas milage with 25 MPG in the city. It has a roomy interior and a huge trunk.

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  altima review - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By 2thfxr - September 3 - 10:00 am

  2002 Altima is fun and exciting to drive. My wife was not even interested in the car until she drove it and them suggested buying another one for her.

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  I really, really like it - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Linda G - September 3 - 6:46 am

  I purchased the SL AWD with the dual moonroof, leather, premium and technology packages, wanted the LE, but couldnt justify the extra cash. Its been 9 months, and I must say, the car has grown on me. In the last month Ive seen so many 09 Muranos on the road, the word must have gotten out. I must admit it was kind of nice being the only one around.

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  Best Value - 2015 Nissan Murano
  By luvmurano - September 3 - 2:10 am

  Had my 2015 Murano for over a month now and this vehicle lives up to all of Nissans advertising. Seats are comfortable on long trips, driving position is great, and interior is nice and quiet. Handling is great and of special note is the acceleration. Although Edmunds claim it doesnt have the speed, I beg to differ. Here in Texas we have the shortest on-ramps and let me tell you I can merge into traffic at 70+. Coming back from a road trip ran into some rare snow and the vehicle handled well. Still havent figured out all the bells and whistles yet. Only drawback is the front left window shield pillar. Kinda blocks your view when making left turns. Other than that, awesome vehicle.

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  Look out the Nissan is coming - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Amit - September 3 - 2:00 am

  THe new ALTIMA is way better than any other car in its class. Pickup , accelatation and the comfort of the Altima shouldnt be compared with the CAmry. Its like 10 timeas faster then the cars in its class.

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  I tested them all ... this is the one! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By B. Mullins - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Ideally, I was looking for a car that was fun to drive, 6 cylinders, comfortable, with a higher level of features (luxury) than I had previously. I drove many cars: camry, accord, millenia, some SUVs. So I went and drove the Altima. This car is fun, responsive, comfortable, and while not as quiet as a camry, it is certainly much quieter then my other cars and I consider it VERY acceptable at highway speeds. Altima has won the North American Automobile of the Year. It is a well deserved award for a sports sedan in the mid $20,000s. Test drive this car after the others and you should feel the differences.

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  LE 4WD - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By zechs220 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Currently have about 92k. I love this truck. I have owned it for 4 years. I beat the crap out of this truck. Smashed it twice, and i drive it like i stole it. Never had any problems till recently. Catalytic converter on Drivers side went out on it at 83K just out of emissions warranty. Nissan wanted $1200 i did it myself on the ground for about $250. Now if having some sort of vibration coming from the transmission, almost like the torque converter lockup is not engaging correctly. My Gibson Exhaust rusted through and i ended up puttin a banks exhaust on it. I bought it for the power, boy does this truck move. Ive raced with it and ive run it through the mud. Cant beat a Frontier.

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  Tickled with my Rogue - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By Barb - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Just rolled over 1000 miles on my Rogue, still loving it. I traded a 2006 V6 Altima (the Rogue is my 4th Nissan) and my only quibble is this - wish Nissan put a turbocharger on the Rogue like they do on the Juke. I drove a Juke and liked it but was on the small side. MGP is fine and it is so comfortable on the road. Im a 52" female and can adjust the seats and mirrors just fine.

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  Love My New Rogue - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By CHK22 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I just bought it two weeks ago, but so far I love it! Drives like a dream. I /highly recommend/ the rear view camera to assist w/somewhat limited driver visibility. Consider it an upgraded safety feature. If youre looking for oodles of cargo space, look elsewhere; but for cabin space/style, comfort & ride, this Rogue is perfect. I have a bad back, so comfortable ride is important for me. I researched online for 2 months & test drove 5 other similar vehicles, but the Rogue won me over with its beautiful interior, good price ($25,500), and, best of all, the smoothest ride of any of the other vehicles I tested.

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  Low price alternative to the Toyota FJ - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By ColoradoJIM - September 1 - 7:16 pm

  I initially went out to buy a Toyota FJ Cruiser, but when they would not budge on the price, I looked elsewhere and found the Nissan Xterra. We bought this as a 3rd vehicle for the winter. This SUV has everything we wanted out of a 3rd vehicle, comfortable seating for 5 people with good leg room, on the fly 4WD, and plenty of good power from the engine. My wife was hesitant to buy this Xterra, but now she loves it. She likes the way it feels like a bigger SUV than it actually is. Very smooth ride, and the S model has all the options we wanted.