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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  Nissan Murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By lawrence - June 10 - 8:36 am

  I purchased this vehicle to replace my wifes Jeep Cherokee. She loved the styling. Compared to the truck like handling characteristics of the Jeep, the Nissan Murano is very smooth, with plenty of power. It handles very well on the highway, even in a heavy cross wind. Thus far weve only needed routine maintenance. There was nothing that needed to be fixed by the dealer after delivery.

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  2005 Nissan Pathfinder - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Nanook6 - June 9 - 3:36 am

  This is my 4th Nissan Pathfinder. The design and overall quailty are good. I espically like the new size. It is ideal for most any application. This is a great vehicle for weekend adventures and weekly commuting .

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  Nice Secret - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Happy Camper - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Update from my July 2007 review. We bought this in 12/2005. Now has 90,000 miles, and it still drives great. Wife doesnt want anything else. Still very solid, drives great, and no significant problems. We can afford a new one, but there is no need yet. Still load it down for vacations with 6 people and luggage carrier. Driven through blizzards, pulled trailers, and its still wifes daily driver. Great truck! She will want a new one eventually, and I will probably keep this one for a work/ranch truck.

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  Good Car 4 trvl but.......... - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By hanna - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I love my 01 nissan sentra its really reliable for travel and I went to Mexico, San Diego , Las Vegas with no problems and good gas mileage .After about 5 yrs with the car the sensors started to fail and the cost was $300 to replace each sensor not including labor. Not too bad for the car lasting about 5-6 yrs before any major repairs had to be made.

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  There is nothing better for the price - 2011 Nissan Versa
  By John - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This car does everything you need! Lots of space, great gas mileage and very sharp looking in the magnetic gray with rear spoiler. I did a lot of looking before I purchased this car and Im convinced you cannot find a better car for the money.

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  Awesome Vehicle! - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Roni - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my new 2010 Altima. I had been driving a 2005 Sentra for the last 6 years. I wanted an upgrade and more safety for my 9 year old daughter. Altima has a 5 star rating for safety, lots of standard safety features. I love the Nissan line. The Altima is just a fabulous car. Its stylish, classy, has substance and handles like a dream. I would recommend this car to anyone. If youre shopping for a classy looking, safety packed, drives like a dream car, please GO TEST DRIVE ONE TODAY!

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  New to Nissan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Leo - June 8 - 5:46 am

  Looked @ Ford,Chev/GMC,Toy. Drive a Ford for work. It was nice til I drove the Titan All have good features, although to get what I wanted I had to purchase other options as well. The wife and I took our sons sportster, BBQ, Refrig from Slo Ca to Sunnyvale Ca. approx 500 mi round trip. Average 16.7 mpg up and back. Interior: just right for the drive, queit, mirrors were great, controls were perfect, wife slept most the way back and so did I. No complaints @ this time. Exterior: Its different, took a while to get used to it, it grows on you Drive train: Very smooth shifting plenty of power for the freeway ramps and passing Limited slip works great.

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  I love this car... - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By tea - June 7 - 8:13 am

  I had my mind set on a altima, a camry or an accord and went for the altima and boy am i glad. i have black on black and people comment on this car whenever i stop somewhere. i love that it is roomy in the inside and that no one is cramped. the car is just cool and well worth $24,000.

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  Want to hate it... but just cant... - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By JWestie85 - June 7 - 4:56 am

  Ok... Heres the deal... The only way to go with an Altima is the 3.5 V6. After reliability and quality issues with our 03 3.5 SE, I swore, never again for Nissan. The 03 was quick and also luxurious, but simultaneously felt like it could just explode at any minute. Example: We spent $1,700 on electrical issues (straw that broke the camels back) "NEVER AGAIN!" I shouted. Until.... My wife started wanting another one. "Here we go" I thought. Surprisingly though, the 2011 consumer reviews were overwhelmingly positive. Did Nissan really up their game? We took a chance and bought high mileage, but seemingly well kept one. (High mileage, as in 148,000). Ive got to say, its been a great car. Styling is not my favorite as Mr. Magoo could even tell that its going to date fairly quickly with all of its Transfomers body lines, however, premium wheels seem to help aesthetics tremendously. Bottom line, I set out desiring to utterly despise this car, but its just not possible. After 2 years of ownership, all weve had done is brakes, oil changes and a new set of tires. Nissan has proven to me that automakers can change.

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  My first Nissan ever - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By dkiel - June 7 - 2:26 am

  After having owned a Toyota Echo and a Toyota Matrix I decided to give the Nissan Versa a try. So far I must say that initially I am impressed by the smoothness of the CVT and the get up and go of the 4 cyl eng. Overall the interior is nice but the front seat armrest is a total useless joke. It is not high enough or long enough to lay your arm on. Hope they fix that in upcoming models. Havent it it long enough to evaluate the gas mileage but hopefully it will fulfill the commuter car requirements around town and the occasional out of town trip. Good little car for the money.