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:

• 

  2009 Nissan Titan - JUNK!!!! - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By freddock - September 2 - 10:39 am

  This is a horrible truck. It is pretty to look at but not built very well. At just 117K miles it needs an all new rear end due to a known problem that Nissan is aware of but does nothing about. The pumpkin on the rear axle heats up and destroys the gears inside. A $4000 repair on a three yr old truck. They apparently made the truck look nice but didnt care what they were putting under the hood. Run dont walk away from this one! Go for something reliable like Ford. I would never buy or recommend a Nissan ever again. This is just an expensive piece of junk.

• 

  It is what it is and I love it!!! - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By major2829 - September 2 - 12:20 am

  This is a great car - for its class. If you want bigger/more bells & whistles/luxuries, get the Murano. I love the way it looks, the way it drives and handles. I dont find this car to be noisy. The ride is smooth and effortless. Many people complain about blindspot issue - after the buy the car. All of this can be noticed during a decent test drive!

• 

  Dream Car - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By Tracy Galloway - September 2 - 12:00 am

  Best vehicle I have ever owned for performance, fun, and overall highway comfort. Nissan has a real winner in the 350Z and it is beginning to show with the numbers of 350s on the road these days!

• 

  Well worth the money - 2011 Nissan Xterra
  By Todd Van - September 1 - 4:53 pm

  Review This is my first Xterra and love it. This is a solid, safe SUV. The 2011 is very comfy, but there is something I wish it had, carpeted cargo area (otherwise EVERYTHING slides around) I bought it with power seats, multi-CD changer, Sirius radio, and leather, the Rockford Fosgate stereo is great, and I added a ipod plug to complete it. The plastic console collects every piece of dust because it has a softer material. I my X to the mountains and give it a serious workout and it performs great. I have locking differentals, roof rack, and heavy duty bumpers and they all work great. Ive towed my 4K toyhauler around, but wouldnt recommend doing this in the mountains. The mileage is 10 to 14 in town and 15 to 17 on the hwy, not bad for 4 wheel drive. These are real numbers by dividing gallons into mileage. The few things Ive done to my truck is add, HD bumper front and rear, air bags in rear, Ipod plug, led light bar on bumper and winch. I have used everything quite a bit too. If you want a SUV that does it all this is the one.

• 

  Cals 350 - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By CEL - September 1 - 10:00 am

  Four months and 11,000 miles later, I am still enjoying this car. I get looks and compliments where ever I go. I finally, removed those useless cupholders from under my elbow, and Im using the box for storage. I use the passenger. My 2nd pet peeve, is the dipstick. You have to be a mechanical engineer to get it in correctly.

• 

  Happy... - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Happy...for now - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I have not had any significant problems with my 01 Sentra SE. It is a great car to drive. It is smooth sailing when on the highway at 70. It is quiet...(I like that so I can really tell if there is anything that doesnt sound right). I am happy with it but I know that cars dont last forever, so I am wondering when something is going to break and how much it is going to cost...

• 

  its ok - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By kimbo - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I love the way my nissan looks, however, some charge up hill is slow, and slowly but surely many of the interior features are slowley fading, gas cage doesnt stay closed, tires stink, and are hard to replace. lighter doesnt work, small things like that. Overall it is a good ,reliable car. cost efficient on gas. If you get a good dealer price is is a steal. But if you care about the inside stuff, be warned

• 

  AWESOME LIL CRUISER - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By LOBOSOLO - September 1 - 10:00 am

  BOUGHT THIS LIL GEM FROM A PRIVATE PERSON AT 12K WITH ONLY 7800 MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN HER HARD FOR 2.5 MONTHS NOW AND AM JUST A PLEASED CUSTOMER COMFORTABLE AND EFFICIENT. GREAT STYLING. THE ONLY THING SHE LACKS IS A LITTLE BIT O JAM WHEN I STOMP DOWN ON THE GAS. ONCE UP TO SPEED THOUGH THIS BABY ROCKETS JUST FINE. DAMN THE MAP LIGHTS THOUGH!NISSANS RUN FOREVER TOO!

• 

  Spec-V - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By VIC - September 1 - 10:00 am

  If you like fun to drive compact sports cars this is your car!! Power is good, especially for the price range. Handling is amazing once again especially for the price range. 6 speed tranny is somewhat clunky but once you get used to it, it works well. Compared to other cars in this price range nothing comes close.

• 

  Be afraid, be very afraid - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Super T - September 1 - 10:00 am

  I loved the design of the 02 Ultima and thought it would be a good switch from my 95 ford thunderbird. The car was O.K. until it died in traffic at 46,000 miles. After being towed to the dealer and a new crank sensor later, my check engine light came on. Problem with the catalytic converter. I then read the recall report on NHTSA website - the Ultima has a major flaw with the converter that can destroy the engine. I should have bought a Ford! I think you will be hearing much more about the problems with this car. Im thinking of selling mine before I had planned.