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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  The good the bad &the ugly! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By lee866 - November 19 - 7:30 pm

  Well,bought the car in January 07.Refused to buy the cvt transmission as it was untested. Man am i glad reading the other reviews. Seems these cvts are junk!Our 5 speed auto runs great. We get 30mpg city summer/winter. Traded a5yr old Xterra which was a great car with bad mileage. The only trouble we have had is in getting the underbody wash at the car wash in the winter.Water got into the fuel tank breather and froze solid. Dealership replaced everything under warranty including the charcoal canister. Dont get the underbody spray anymore! Weird smell when you turn on heater. Taking it back for clunk in front end. Whole front just feels loose. All in all half the price of the Xterra twice the mileage

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  Not like they used to be - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By xcars - November 19 - 7:43 am

  After owning this truck for a couple of days we knew we made a mistake. This truck gave a horrible ride on the back roads. It actually made us sick. Gas mileage was horrible. Also, we couldnt wait to get rid of it so after 2 mos. We traded it in for a Dodge. They gave us a good deal thank god we have also heard these trucks are costly for repairs, a lot of people we know who had Nissan frontiers didnt keep them very long for this reason, if you buy make sure to get a 3 day money back guarantee, I will say we got all our money back and plus on trade. Good luck.

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  Greatest Car Ive owned! - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By BB - November 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is reliable, comfortable and and overall joy to drive. Ive had the car for 3 years, purchased it used with 39,000 miles and have never encountered a mechanical problem. I would recommend this car to anyone!

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  2001 Altima - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By woodrow ban - November 19 - 2:00 am

  A very reliable and competent car. Nothing about the car reaches out and grabs you. It just starts and runs every day. Handling comfortable, but not exciting. Acceleration more than adequate, but wont excite you. If you want comfortable, decently appointed, reliable transportation, this is it. Short legged/armed drivers will feel more at home than gangly drivers. Particularly, shorter women will like the cars seating. Opt for a sunroof. It makes the interior brighter, and makes the car seem more open and spacious.

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  3rd Maxima i have had - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By jasorey - November 19 - 2:00 am

  ok this makes the 3rd one of these i have owned. i had a 96 with the 5spd (190hp) and LOVED this car, lol then i made the mistake of test driving a 2003 (255HP), needless to say now i have the 03 SE automatic ( cause im getting older and lazier and traffic here is horrible so i got the automatic) well this things is incredible it accelerates so fast that the tires will start breakin loose at 45mph. LOL LUV IT (POWER POWER POWER)

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  ROUGH RIDE - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By ORION53 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  OWNED TWO EXPEDITIONS BEFORE THIS ARMADA. GREAT POWER AND THE TEC PACKAGE IS FANTASTIC....TURNS ON A DIME AND HAS A SUPER SOUND SYSTEM. THE RIDE IS WAY TO BUMPY AND I HAVE EVEN REDUCED TIRE PRESSURE TO EASE THE TEETH RATTLING RIDE.....MAYBE MICHELIN TIRES WILL HELP... IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN I WOULD GO BACK TO THE FORD EXPEDITION.

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  excellent - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By James rice - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Awesome Auto!!!! The Maxima is A great vehicle for family or for the sport minded driver!!!!!!!!!

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  04 QUEST - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By marco350z - November 19 - 2:00 am

  The Quest 3.5s is a great minivan. I test drove the Odyssey, the new Sienna, the Grand Caravan/Town & Country, the MPV, and Sedona. The 2 that stood out were the Quest and Sienna. They both had everything but the Quests exterior/interior and flat fold 2nd/3rd row seats(Sienna only had flat fold 3rd row)won me over. Its hip, sleek, sporty and still roomy. The interior looks futuristic and is so roomy and comfortable. The Sienna was 1k less than the Quest but the Quest was worth the extra 1k. Driving the Quest feels like driving an Accord or Altima.

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  LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By G SHEFFER - November 19 - 2:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE- MUST BE DRIVEN -FUN TO DRIVE AND NEAT TO OWN . ATTRACTS A WATCHING EYE OF THE PUBLIC. REAL QUALITY THAT OUR AUTOMAKERS LACK.

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  one sweet ride - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By ZchrisZ - November 19 - 2:00 am

  This car looks so good, its a real head- turner. This is my first Z car, before I have always had mustangs,I thought GT mustangs handled good, but its no comparison. Other cars considered,Honda S2000(no low-end torque)Subie wrx sti (looks like a riced-up kids car)Mazda rx8(weird styling,not sure about rotary reliability).The 350Z won for me...