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:

• 

  Horrible Truck - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By Larry McEnnis - July 7 - 1:33 am

  Possibly the worse vehicle Ive every owned? All of the companies that write reviews for this truck want to praise it, then why didnt I get the same truck they rave about? The front suspension is horrible. It will not drive straight on the pavement, it wonders from side to side, and heaven forbid if you hit a pothole as it will throw the truck sideways. And talk about bump steer, Ive never experianced a truck whose steering wheel yanks to the side when you hit a bump. The steering will flat wear you out if you take it on a dirt road. It will want to pull the wheel side to side with every bump. I have owned trucks for 40 years and this is the worse. I cant wait to sell it.

• 

  Quiet time - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Dan - July 7 - 12:16 am

  Recently bought my Versa SL preowned with 5000 miles on it. Prior to buying the car I drove similar cars from Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, VW, Ford. The thing that sets the Versa apart from these other cars is the super low interior noise level and seamless transmission shifting provided by the CVT. I also noticed a lower level of engine vibration or "buzziness" thats sometimes transmitted through the accelerator pedal or steering wheel of 4 cylinder cars. The car has a much more solid feel to it than the Ford Focus. The doors sound solid when they are closed, you can tell the car is put together well. As back seats go, this car has a very roomy rear seating area for a small car. Nice little car!

• 

  Hot Ride - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Al - July 6 - 8:00 pm

  This is a tremendously fun car to drive. It has great power and handles like a dream. The top retracts in 20 seconds- couldnt be easier.

• 

  Fun, Reliable but THIRSTY - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By EAC J.D. - July 6 - 10:00 am

  SE model with 5-speed manual feels like a sports car. The SE has stiffer suspension and very little body roll Be aware that the 6 CD Bose system cannot be changed to aftermarket without replacing all of the speakers too. FUEL ECONOMY is os bad that I am considering trading in for an AWD car. My only quality complaint is the paint on the body plastics. chips from rocks lead to huge areas of flaked paint with just hose washing. If fuel was less expensive, I would love the Pathfinder a lot more.

• 

  Better than expected - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Yoh - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I was little bit concerned about quality issue because there were several posts here, however, I did not have any problem at this time. People at Canton began to get used to the line I think. Considering high technology Nissan provided, price setting is reallyl good deal. I am very happy that Nissan has completely revived and began to expand line-ups.

• 

  THE NISSAN ARMADA - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By beergut9000 - July 6 - 10:00 am

  This is a very nice SUV with all the bells and whistels to make your head spin. This SUV is not hard to get up in which is very nice. The aggresive styling is a charm. This SUV rides like a car. So if your looking for a rough riding SUV this is not the Nissan for you

• 

  Best Car I ever bought - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Noble - July 6 - 10:00 am

  The car rides nice and it really holds the road! It drives like a dream! I would recommend the car to anyone its a great buy!

• 

  Andis Murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Andree - July 6 - 10:00 am

  We had to special order it to get everything we wanted. We got everything possible except the GPS and the DVD player. It took 4 months to get it. Which was one of the negative things about it. Once I got it, it has been great. Very confortable with lots of leg room. Plenty of power. We live in an area with high mountains and have no problems on steep grades. I would like to get better fuel economy but it is better than my last SUV. Much more like a luxury car than the usual SUV. Easier to drive. The two things I dont like about it: The doors do not automatically lock and the fuel gauge doesnt have an audible warning when you are getting low.

• 

  Love Me X - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Shrubber - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I used Edmunds when looking for a vehicle so I thought I would return the favor. I have only had my X for about 4 months but I really like it a lot. I have had to take it back for minor non- mechanicalwarranty work twice, the lumbar support in the driver seat and the passenger window, other than that love it! I think it is important to know I was in a small pick up before. Gas mileage is about 17 for me in the city. This isnt a race car by any means but I think it is adequately powered. Love the exterior looks, and all back seat passengers have complimented the higher up seating. Problem is there are so many of them on the road now!!

• 

  number 1 - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By pollo_fuego - July 6 - 10:00 am

  The Nissan Xterra, is buy far the best off-roading/in-town suv in its price range. Although lacking in comfort during long road trips, the standard V6 offers enough power to get you anywhere. Good preformance on and offroad, I personaly have left many of my friends SUVs in the dust, weather on or off road. The best choice for the active, go get it lifestyle. I love it!