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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  2wd LE - 2008 Nissan Armada
  By padjfl - January 31 - 11:33 pm

  We have had our Armada for two weeks and really are enjoying it. It has everything needed in a large SUV power, refinement, safety features, and roominess. The mileage is low but, it is a fair tradeoff for the excellent utility and to have the family in a large, safe vehicle. The Armada blew away the domestic SUVs in interior materials quality and features, especially for the price. Nissan really did their homework with this vehicle and it shows.

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  Cant Believe Its Mine! - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By Must be dreaming - January 31 - 7:13 pm

  From an over priced E350 to my dream car. Once I got over my love affair with the tri-star emblem and really started looking for value, the choice was clear. From the first picture in a magazine to the brochure in the mail to the test drive, I knew I had to have this car. Couldnt choose between silver or precision gray, flipped a coin and walked away with a precision gray beauty with a spoiler that says bye to cars behind me. I normally lease but purchased this one because I can see myself in it for a long time to come.

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  What a sweetheart!!! - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By billyboy - January 31 - 12:03 am

  We started out looking at Chevrolets but the salesman showed us the 2007 Nissan Murano. We drove it and loved it immediately!!! We had a 2006 PT Cruiser we both loved but there was no comparison. We made our deal and took it home. Its the basic S model with AWD. Not a lot of frills but enough. It rides like a big car but can be parked like our cruiser. So far the average gas mileage is 23 mpg, city and highway driving. Our family thinks its really cool (Im 70 and wifes younger). Its a real pleasure to drive and the transmission is a piece of work, smooth and quiet. We live on a gravel and dusty road and the body is tight and quiet. This is a car all your friends will envy as you cruise.

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  Great truck!! - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By kendall - January 30 - 11:00 pm

  My dad owned a 03 frontier and has had zero problems in about 4 years with 60ish thousand miles so I figured Ill go with a Nissan. Bought the truck used and use it to read meters in central florida and the truck rides pretty darn good. Had to put a small lift kit on it for ground clearance but the truck can take a beating and keep on going. Dislikes are horrible blindspot on the kingcab and not so great turning radius which everyone else has stated. Tows my 18 flats boat pretty good, cant complain for a 4 banger. But overall great truck with great style.

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  Mountain Goat - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By tommy2cat - January 30 - 4:08 pm

  I love this vehicle. Exterior silver w/brush guards, roof rack w/tray. Interior rare black leather interior w/heated seats. Kids love visibility from tiered second row. Rear compartment provides plenty of storage for baseball equipment, etc. Added Bilstein shocks to smooth ride. Adding catback & CAI to address substandard fuel economy & provide boost to slightly underpowered 3.3 liter engine. An issue, not a problem. Currently 20/17 mpg w/conservative use. Handles blizzards with confidence. Climbed NYC snowbank to create parking spot! Nissan should consider turbo diesel engine for this tree-climbing Billy Goat. Love it

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  Loving it!! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By john2216 - January 29 - 9:30 pm

  Ive had it for about 6 months now and approaching 5100 miles. Lots of room when compared to the honda fit or the scion xa....mileage isnt bad, Im getting about 31 mpg.lots of engine noise though especially when ac is on. every now and then I do feel something strange with the suspension especially when making hard turns. Best sub compact on the market today for the value.

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  6 mos review: still doing great! - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By white knight - January 29 - 8:10 pm

  This is about 6 mos of use and 5,600 miles on the odometer. Turning circle is rather large but this is do in part to the longer wheel base and that is what helps provide a smooth highway ride. Still very comfortable on long trips. Very quiet interior, with little road, tire, or wind noise. I have averaged 24 mpg on regular fuel since I purchased this 6 mos ago. Mostly highway driving.

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  LOVE my Armada, great family car!! - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Adrienne - January 29 - 4:56 pm

  Overall, this SUV has been GREAT. We bought it soon after we had our baby end of last year. There is so much room- leg room, storage space, trunk space (when you fold down 3rd row). I couldnt be happier except for one thing- the brakes have needed resurfacing twice so far, and are about due for another, and weve only had the car 8 months. I dont feel unsafe, but it is a pain having to bring it back to the dealership to have it worked on every few months. However, the positives definitely outweigh the negative. I didnt want a minivan, and this is the next best family type car. Also, my husband said if he was going to drive an SUV, thats what he would drive, b/c its also very "manly".

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  Well rounded suv - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Jeffvibe03 - January 29 - 8:43 am

  This vehicle has surprised me every time I drive it. It has superior handling for a truck based SUV and is extremely powerful for a V6. On a recent 1500 mile trip averaged 23 mpg. Was extremely comfortable, even if the ride is tuned on the sporty side. Overall I would recommend to anyone looking for a rugged and fun to drive SUV to check it out!

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  *RIP ALTIMA* - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By Christen - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Altima in June, and was in love with it. The minute I saw it, I knew I had to have it. The 2.4L Engine, 150 HP sounded great to me, and I did some performance mods which were great. Dropping just a few hundered dollars in the right places really made her fly. Aparently too much, because I took a turn wayy too fast, and wrecked. I crashed going about 70 MPH, and my airbags deployed but I never felt a thing. I walked away without a scratch, but unfortunatly my pride and joy..was totaled. Right now Im in the process of trying to find another 97 Altima in my area because I was so pleased with this car.