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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  I love my Exterra - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By afelix - June 27 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Xterra for only a few years and have hit over 100,000 miles (yea I drive alot). It has given me relativly little problems but the normal wear and tear fixes ( brakes, batteries and tires). I have taken long road trips and the gas milage, tho not ideal is not as bad as I would have thought. I can drive from LA to SJ on 1 tank of gas.

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  Great Car - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Brdgwtr - June 27 - 10:00 am

  This car has been everything that I had hoped it would be when I bought it.

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  It is fun todrive. - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By tedpappas - June 27 - 10:00 am

  The styling is a "show stopper".The ease of putting the top up or down is the best that I have had in owning 8 ragtops. The gearbox is responsive and gets me to the "head of the pack" when acceleration is is important.Cornering is very good ,but doesnt have the road holding ability that I experience in my Merces SL.. All in all it is the most fun that I have had to drive since owning a MGTC in 1947!

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  An Awesome Car! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By WIDriver - June 27 - 10:00 am

  Fast, luxurious for the price, and VERY fun to drive. Pay the extra money for the 6 cylinder - it is so worth it.

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  The Cool Minivan - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By jas - June 27 - 7:46 am

  We just recently bought the new Nissan Quest after owning a Honda Passport and needing more room. I love it. I fought the whole minivan thing because I could never find one I actually liked looking at and riding in! The Quest is so different. It drives beautifully, very similar to my husbands Infiniti I30. It doesnt feel to me that Im driving a minivan and I actually am surprised when I turn around and see so much room. Plus it gives me the safety of the Odyssey without having the same car as most of the other moms in my sons carpool. All in all, Im thrilled. I have the room I want while still driving a car that is safe, reliable, and cool!

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  nice crossover if you do not need real SUV - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By stevko - June 26 - 9:51 pm

  I bought this car in Aug11 used from Hertz car rental 15.500$ an 2010 S AWD model with 38000mile on. After 6mon in use I decided to write this review as I used this page to choose the Rouge. I was looking for SUV but did not wanted pay the higher price and more on gas, therefore I was looking at sportage, tuscon, forester and rouge. I choose Nissan as I drove nissan sentra before and rogue is basically lifted sentra kind of w/ AWD and SUV look, car like driving and SUV feel and safety. We live in NortWest so this kind of car is ideal. I doesnot need fancy ride and towing capabilities so city like SUV = Rogue was an good choice. And the price was 1.500 - 2000 lesser than those others.

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  should be called TITAN - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By grnii627 - June 26 - 9:50 pm

  Formerly owned three large suv ( ford/lincoln)... none had the superior cargo space, moviing space or body room. Nissan is a pioneer in the minivan family owned industry, amazing design and options all parent and child friendly. Will purchase again, no question.

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  Excellent choice - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By jp - June 26 - 2:56 pm

  This is my third Nissan vehicle. Have not had any problems with this 2.5 altima. It has leather seats, moon roof, Bose system. After driving my 92 Nissan truck for years without any problems and my 2000 frontier without any problems, I decided that Nissan was by far the best, most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. Both pickups are still running today and had 189,000 miles or more on them when I traded them in. This 2006 altima exceeds my expectations everytime I drive it. I knew the engine would be a little bit louder than other cars because of the timing chain instead of a timing belt. But in my opinion makes it more reliable.

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  The best SUV - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By RCKEV - June 25 - 9:50 pm

  I picked up my Xterra after driving Explorers for 12 years. This is the best truck I have ever owned. It performs flawlessly whether going in town shopping or to my favorite mtn bike trail in the mtns, it has been perfect. I avg 18-19 in mixed driving. I have never been so happy with an suv. This thing is twice the suv my Explorer was. Better engine better ride all around sound. Ill be driving this one till it falls apart

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  Prod date 11/04 compared to a 03/05 - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By TERRI - June 25 - 8:30 pm

  Purchased prod date 11/04 on 1/05, numerous problems [eng rattle, hard pull right, r/r dr pnl incorrect, clunk in drivetrain accell/decel, shudder 3-4 shift trans, brk pedal squeak, washer nozzles misaligned, rolls too far in park, hood & sunvisors vibrate, r/f rear seat trim panel broke off, r/f a pillar rattle, a/c knobs loose, prk brake out of adjustment, frt windows grind up/down] dealer said normal- not!!! Traded back in for same model later prod date 03/05-different characterist truck-no problems. Love the truck-awesome power 4.0L, ride, handling great, bigger than my 01 nis frontier 2wd cc xe; electric blue screams buy me! Love the red dash lights & fact sprayed bed liner!