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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  Godzilla invades USA! - 2009 Nissan GT-R
  By Road Rage - August 22 - 5:16 pm

  Technology is amazing on this car - almost over the top, but when you add it all up, this car flat out delivers. Engine is phenomenal, with gobs of power and a flat torque curve. The two small IHI turbos spool up very quickly, so the car feels more like a V-8 than a juiced six. The DCT shifts smoothly in norm and comfort modes, and bangs swift and hard in race mode. Note I downrated the "fun to drive" category because this car is deadly serious, and one has to be very attentive to the power and the braking, both of which are amazing. My S2000 was more fun to drive, but I do not regret buying the GT-R one bit. It gets a lot of attention everywhere I go, and I like stealth, but I am happy.

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  Aramada - 2017 Nissan Armada
  By Lee Neill - August 22 - 4:59 am

  Great suv

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  A Nice Surprise - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Simon - August 22 - 1:50 am

  This is an impressive car overall. Nicely styled, comfortable to drive, good performance and economy. Handling is secure and the front wheel drive performance in snow is good. Im getting around 32 mpg in the city (very hilly here in Pittsburgh) and 35-40 mpg on the highway. The car is very quiet and smooth highway cruiser. When pushed it understeers somewhat, but the VDC works well at the limit and is quite unobtrusive. I find myself driving differently in this car, working to maximize the amount of time I can get it to run in electric vehicle mode only -- it turns out to be fun. Between all the safety features, roomyness of the car, looks and overall driving experience Im very pleased

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  A Connecticut Leaf Owner Speaks - 2012 Nissan Leaf
  By ctleafowner - August 22 - 1:16 am

  I am not your prototypical Leaf owner. For one, I live in Connecticut...one of two Leaf owners in the state...I have a long commute (45 miles one way) and, at the moment, I dont have a Level 2 charger where I work (Im working on that, but the Chevy Volt has made convincing my company to get one very difficult). After a few rookie mistakes (driving 70 mph to work in the cold w/o a full charge), one of which found me driving into my garage with 4 miles of charge left, I have learned to drive back and forth to work with no range issues. The Leaf definitely makes you think about the way you drive and makes you think about your trips before you go anywhere. That being said, I love my Leaf.

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  NISSAN MAX POWER - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By BUCKSPD - August 22 - 12:03 am

  A great vehicle to drive,has power when needed,on a long ride it has good comfort,very good handling vehicle,a good solid vehicle.

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  Nissan & Transmissions - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Very Disappointed - August 21 - 10:30 am

  I purchased my Murano after reading numerous Edmunds reviews. In January of 06 everything I read was positive, yet now I sit with a $5000 estimate to rebuild my transmission on an 03 vehicle that has just tripped 87,000 miles. This is my 2nd Nissan & my 2nd issue with replacing a transmission (the 1st a 92 Maxima with over 150,000 miles). I too have had the issue of putting my foot on the gas and getting no power after a stop in traffic. Its scary, dangerous & frustrating to think I know have to replace a transmission so soon.

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  Powerful and Tough - 2009 Nissan Armada
  By Jennifer Lizama - August 20 - 2:46 pm

  I Love this SUV. I would recommend this SUV to anybody and everybody. Safe, reliable, plenty of room awesome power and features are excellent. It may be a V8 engine, but very quiet and powerful and also fast when you step on it. I just cant get over how powerful and fast this SUV is. Buy one you will never regret it.

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  Great auto highly recommend - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By joleen larkin - August 20 - 5:30 am

  I have been very impressed with all aspects of the car. I was looking at the Murano. I feel it is pricey compared to this and Rogue receives much better mileage. Very pleased, I encourage you to take a test drive.

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  2nd times a charm - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Holly - August 20 - 5:23 am

  Before purchasing my new baby, I traded in my Nissan Pathfinder 1999.5. She was a beautiful car. I had her for almost six years when we decided we needed a bigger car. She only sat 5, the new baby seats 7. I really didnt want a new car, my baby only had 57K miles, but after test-driving I fell in love. I really trust the Nissan Pathfinder. I went amost 6 years in my 99 and had not a lick of trouble with her. This new one is not only comfortable to drive, its fun. The kids are comfortable and we know we are safe with the side airbags and VDC. Thank you Nissan, for making an awesome SUV, even better.

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  Find another car - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Maxima owner - August 19 - 5:33 am

  I love the performance and handling of the car, but for the money, I wish that I had bought something more comfortable. The suede-type fabric inside is getting dirty after only 6 months, and moldings inside & out are beginning to loosen. The gas mileage is not nearly what I expected for a car of its size and class. My salesperson led me to believe that it would be good also. My husband & I are ready to trade for an Acura--similar price with many more features and creature comforts, and hopefully better gas mileage.