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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  4 Guys and Their Stuff - Anywhere! - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By Xtrapol8 - July 25 - 8:33 am

  The FJ Cruiser and the 4-door Rubicon are both excellent vehicles that also have serious off-road capabilities and a manual transmission ... but Ive made the right choice for me. Three other 6 200lb guys can accompany me into oblivion for a 5-day canoe trip and return home again nothing but pleased with the Xterra. On the flipside, my 52" 100lb wife and my 4 and 7 year old children love it too. Soon Ill get some proper rock sliders that they can use as a step up into the truck. For a truck that you sit ON and command, and that will do almost anything, the Xterra is remarkably quiet and easy to drive in town and on the highway. High end stereo/CD/MP3/iPod helps too.

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  Amazing car. going to miss it. - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By jools - July 24 - 9:20 pm

  I had the Altima Coupe for almost two and a half years and i loved every minute of it. Everything about it was perfect and i did not have a SINGLE problem with it. Also, it saved my life. A couple weeks ago, i got into a pretty horrific accident where a driver in a Ford F150 plowed into me going 55 mph+. Needless to say, the car is totaled. But the important thing is that I was able to walk away from the accident and go home that night. If anyone is worried that this car isnt safe because its small they shouldnt be. i am a perfect example of how safe this car is.

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  Love it! - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By good vehicle - July 24 - 6:56 pm

  I love this car. It was the first brand new car Ive ever purchased on my own. Its perfect for my budget (Im a college student) and its incredible reliable. I had a 98 Sentra in high school and had not a single problem. So far Ive had no problems with this car. I absolutely love it.

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  The Nissan Ive Been Waiting For - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Steve - July 24 - 5:03 pm

  I traded my 2002 Tahoe 5.3L. What a difference! Not only is the fit and finish far superior, the Armada is also roomier, faster and more powerful. I love blowing by those weak SUVs on the uphill grades of Californias freeways as they struggle to make the grade! I realize the unfortunate trade off is gas mileage. This thing guzzle fuel like crazy. Im guessing that Nissan will release the hybrid version in 2008, one model year after the Tahoe 07 hybrid. Ill giveem a year to work out the bugs and come back for my 2009 Armada hybrid.

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  Go for it - 2009 Nissan Sentra
  By chacama - July 24 - 3:40 pm

  These current Sentra models are mid The new Sentras rock!. CVT is real smooth and have not had any problems with what some call "rubberband effect" (have not experienced it on this car yet!). Before deciding for this car i drove the Mazdas 3 & 5, Toyota Yaris & Camry, a VW and the Nissan Versa but ultimately decided for this car because its good mileage, driveability and specially comfort... the lines looks somewhat similar to a Lexus.

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  Best Choice, hands down - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By Dang - July 24 - 3:06 pm

  This truck is beautiful inside and out. If looks arent enough for you, the v6 seems to pack a punch that can make some v8s look weak. Its a great drive, some great features that came standard (things like the bedliner and bedrail system). I fell in love with the truck, and with safety ratings that made the Ranger and Colorado look like bicycles, its the obvious answer. Roomy, manly and just plain cool.

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  Suprono Murano - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Mike - July 24 - 12:13 pm

  SV model AWD. This car is super comfy. Front seats are so comfortable I drove 8 hrs with no problem. Back seats recline. Just had 30 inches of snow and no problem getting around. Wife loves the remote start. High beams are very impressive you can see far down the road. I get alot of compliments on how sleek and good looking it is. I was test driving a Rav 4 but for $2000 more I went with the Murano and I am so glad I did.

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  Love it! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Richard - July 24 - 10:16 am

  We have 320 miles on our Rogue, much of that was on the freeway driving home from the dealer (100 miles) and a long back-roads trip the next day. The car is flawless! 27 mpg so far and despite the complaints about what people call the rubber band tranny (CVT), the car just seems to zoom when you step on the gas. I drove home from work today in a driving rainstorm with 30 mph cross winds and it hugged the road like it was on rails. And unlike our Jeep Cherokee, no body lean whatsoever. This is my second Nissan and 5th Datsun family product and they are far the best. We love this car!

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  Best In Class - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By John Wilson - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is well designed, good looking and great value for the money. It is big inside and out with a smooth quiet ride and the trunk is huge. The tilt / telescope wheel allow for a very relaxed seating position. There is a lot of aluminum in this car making it the lightest and most responsive in its class. The four cylinder has lots of power, and I cant imagine why anyone would get the six. For only $500 I got a p/seat, security, trip PC, alloy wheels, controls on the steering wheel, remote opens the trunk, doors and both front windows, and a really awesome sound system. Toyota and Honda finally have some real competition!

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  My First Car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By LeahElizabeth - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I love the Nissan. It makes me feel so safe because of its design (did you know its made from one piece of steel, not many fused together?), and I never have any problems. If it werent for this car, I wouldnt have been able to avoid a wreck with some stupid teenager. The price is so much lower than the worth, and the value stays high. I love my car, and I know anyone else who buys one will love it to! Also, although I bought the 2.5, I specialized it with everything the 3.5 has, and even wound up saving a little money!