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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  Best value in an SUV - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By suits - July 14 - 12:26 am

  this superior handling suv outperforms any in its class. and for the price!!, its unbeatable, you cant go wrong!! Andrew

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  bought 1st week released - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By kcaples - July 13 - 10:04 pm

  We just bought the new 2013 Nissan Altima, bot off the presses so to speak. The first week they hit the lots! It is very comfortable to drive. It is surprisingly not a sluggish car. The thing I am loving the most is that I have put 150 miles on it and have not even burned through 1/4 of a tank of gas!

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  nissian armada - 2007 Nissan Armada
  By nick - July 13 - 12:50 pm

  Good truck for the ladies to go to the store. Safe for even a lady to drive with your kids in it. yet good for a man to go to work in and make the cash

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  I love the car; however... - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By katydid - July 13 - 3:33 am

  The car drives wonderfully with great pickup. Around town driving got 20 mpg on the first two tanks and 21.8 on the third. Lots of well-designed storage space. The basic radio/cd player sounds great and picks up far-away stations. I love the fold-down back seats. Heres the however: My cars taillights leaked when I got the car. The sensor on the passenger side airbag turns the bag off sporadically when a 160-190 lb adult sits on that side. The dealer cant find the problem. There is no manual override to force the airbag to function, so my passengers are sometimes in danger. The "youve left your key in the car" alarm sounds when my key is in my pocket outside the car.

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  My Frontier...its great!!! - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Terry - July 13 - 12:50 am

  The interior was the main selling point over any other truck in this class. I still feel like Im in a sedan, and the Rockford Sound System...simply rocks!!!!

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  Go West Old Man - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Ray A - July 12 - 5:53 pm

  In March, I traded my 05 Altima & 05 Pathfinder on my Murano. In June, we drove from Louisiana to Utah on vacation.Total trip was 4,500 miles. Averaged 24.5 mpg.Handled the mountain roads like a sports car. The overdrive switch worked well coming down the mountains.The CVT was smooth, even in the mountains. Passed through a terrible storm in Texas. Handled the wind and water puddles well. Have made similar trips out west in a Tahoe, Yukon, Cherokee and my Pathfinder. Gave up a little storage space , but this car out performed them all. Drove 12 to 14 hours some days. Very comfortable. Love this car.

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  Was worth it - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Michael G. - July 12 - 3:36 pm

  We (my wife and I) cannot be more happy; I love the acceleration, space, comfort, sound and the feel driving this car.

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  My pathfinder - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Juelmarie - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I really like the car - my advise to anyone who buys it is - use the internet pricing. Dont let the dealer get ya. I dont like the door size to the back seats. Inside its okay in the back - front seat is very comfortable. Resale seems to be more than fair.

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  Rock Solid and Reliable, but Boring - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By bills01se - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I recently sold my 98 Altima SE after driving it for 65,000 miles. I am happy to report ZERO mechanical problems. The only maintenance I paid for was front brakes and 4 tires at 50,000 miles. The car was economical, peppy, and most important, reliable. I would highly recommend it for a student or 1st time car buyer. The value is there. The only problems were wind noise, and some minor build quality issues in the cabin. Yes, it is rather boring, but thats exactly what some people need.

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  Love My Maxima! - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By ycwinpa - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Bought my fully-equipped 97 Maxima SE with 7-8 miles on it in May of 97. Have had it for almost 5 years now and the only problem Ive had is a failed alternator at around 50,000. The Maxima is a smooth and fun car to drive, with pretty good handling and acceleration. The cabin is ergonomically designed, comfortable, and roomy, altough it could be better insulated from road noise. Nissan could improve the Maximas gas mileage. I dont seem to get good gas mileage. Maybe its because I enjoy driving the car and pushing it to its limit so much.