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:

• 

  Altima 3.5 6-Speed - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Robert Neal - June 29 - 6:33 pm

  I love my 2007 Nissan Altima SE with the 6-speed transmission. It handles like a dream and can accelerate as quick as anything that I have driven. I am getting close to 27 MPG even though it is only supposed to get 19/27. I love the fact that I could get a reliable mid size sedan with a 6 cylinder engine and a manual transmission. It truly is a sports sedan that Honda and Toyota dont offer; a 6 cylinder with a manual transmission.

• 

  Almost Perfect - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By travjess05 - June 29 - 8:40 am

  This truck is amazing! Everything about it says power, styling, comfort.

• 

  Should have been the new Z - 2010 Nissan GT-R
  By Phil - June 28 - 12:53 am

  Purchased the car in June and have put on about 2500 kms. I find the ride a bit harsh even at comfort and the radio complex. I have amost covered the performance envelope with the fuel consumption of 20 mpg or 13.8 L/100km ave. The fuel burn rate was high to start with but with the brakes bedded in lowered considerably. The performance is good with only one surprise. Car pulls to the left when distracted by a pothole at about 50kph. I had a 300ZTT before and this provides all the fun and some. Get a lot of looks as it is the second in town. I have an S-Type R that is a pussy cat compared with the GTR. I rate the GT-R 12 out of 10. It should have been the new 380Z

• 

  Perfectly Pleased with my Platinum - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Jeff Strese - June 27 - 11:19 pm

  I did extensive research and compared many other models in this class and price point. The 2016 Maxima Platinum is hands down the best value in terms of design, quality and performance. Even the pro reviewers who criticize the CVT, still have overall positive comments about the performance and handling. I got a year end sale and saved about 6k all in. Im thrilled with this car and will keep it a long time.

• 

  Major and Minor issues - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By EJM - June 27 - 8:00 pm

  OK for the first year. Issues with quality include a broken gas latch and hood release, which the dealership said wasnt under warranty. No big problem until the CVT started acting up with less than 40K miles. Seems to get stuck in a high gear and has NO acceleration/power when starting out and sometimes after Ive stopped at a light. Makes left turns very dangerous as there is literally no acceleration despite my foot being on the floor, RPMs up near red line. My wife couldnt even back out of our drive as it didnt have enough power to make it up the hill despite trying for almost 10 minutes. Dealer wont fix the problem b/c they cant get it to register a problem on the computer.

• 

  For the basic Nissan Sentra 2015 - 2015 Nissan Sentra
  By Laura - June 27 - 11:44 am

  I love my car, but I have had a few issues. The first months I had it the left side of the steering wheel would not work. I couldnt change the radio station or make calls tried calling the dealership but unless they actually see it happening there is nothing wrong with the car, also the windshield wiper randomly flew off, also called the dealership but blamed it on taking it for a carwash, if that is true or not I would not know. But my biggest issue that I continue to have is the button on the key to open the trunk, that button is soooo sensitive. Anything will make it go off, I go into a store and on several occassions come back to an open trunk, when all I did was put the key in my bag. I have had valuable stuff in my car, its come to the point that if I wake up in the middle of the night I check up on my kid and on my car to make sure the trunk did not open. This has not happened just to myself it has happened to my sister so I know its not just me doing something wrong.

• 

  The ride you have been waiting for - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By Coach C - June 27 - 2:23 am

  I recently traded in a ford escape (02) for my new Xterra. After researching I decided that this was the suv for me. I love the power and so far it has handled well in the snow and ice. I am impressed, so far, with the build quality. I have only had the car for about 6 weeks but so far I am extremely impressed.

• 

  Wheres the Passion? - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By bthornton - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is a good car, but for the GXE they seem to have lost sight of the fact that this was once the 4DSC (4 door sports car). Mash the throttle and, yes, it takes off, but with no mean-sounding growl. The interior is roomy and comfortable, the trunk big and the ride smooth and quiet, but it doesnt seem like a sports sedan to me.

• 

  Outstanding Car - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By Jessbabe - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car since 1998. Never had to do more than routine maintance on it. I have had two major wrecks in this vechile and it still runs like a gem and I never got hurt. I will never buy anything outside of a Nissan. Coming from someone that changed cars every year till this one says alot. You will never regret buying a Nissan altima.

• 

  so sad - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By jkuntz1056@aol.com - June 27 - 2:00 am

  My dessert runner is 18 months old with 17000 miles. I am 46 and do not drive off road or drive it hard. This week the bearings went out in the engine. Nissan is installing a new engine. They said it was nothing I did, it happens.