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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  A Great, Fun to Drive Little Car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Nismo427 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  While my particular car suffers from some build defects, its overall performance and handling are way above the norm for this class. The venerable SR20 engine is really strong and when most of the power comes on at 4000 rpm its a rush like no other. The paint in typical Nissan fashion isnt so great, neither is the build quality of the interior, but the overall feel of this car is sure to please anyone out looking for a little fun.

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  Motors are junk - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By steve - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I will never buy another nissan altima or nothing in nissan the motors are junk and will not hold up i have spent a fortune on this junk pile and i am going to buy another car as soon as possible shame on you nissan for selling junk!

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  Nice at the begining, then deception! - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By James - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Nice vehicle when I bought it: Nice design, comfort, fun to drive, and thinking about the Japanese quality I was expecting a really nice quality vehicle. But one month after the purchase the battery died, was replaced under the warranty but still a hassle. Then at 15,000 miles the reas sonar alarm sound died and I have to replace the speaker by myself. otherwise you ended paying around $300 to the dealer. Then at 28,000 miles the rear door mechanism broke, a poor soldering nut to the frame of the door. Then at 30,787 miles (just few days ago) the speedometer is showing a higher speed, the gauge does not come back to zero, so you ended with 10 miles more your current speed, want more.

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  Fantastic Ride! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By MacGeek - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this Maxima a year ago, and its amazing! Great performance, very responsive acceleration and breaking. Beautiful car inside and out. It has never broken down, never failed to start, no problems. Just routine maintenance.

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  Nissans have poor paint jobs - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By timothy - November 11 - 3:43 am

  My paint job is horrible and i got luv bugs on it , and in just a couple of hours it took the paint off, my dealership will not fix it it is a cheap paint job

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  Do your research - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By CJ - November 9 - 11:16 pm

  I had the base badboy for 6 months before it was totaled in the rain from doing 45 in a 55mph zone. All I have to say is that this was one of the best cars that I have ever had, I dont think a Porsche would have made me much happier but no matter what you tell yourself it is really only a sunny day kind of car. You already know why you like the car but here are the problems. Base model means no lsd something which is inconceivable on a rwd car of this caliber. Secondly the brakes stink compared to the engine power. Luckily the 370 fixed this issue. The car comes with hid which is nicel and same power as the top end models. Even nismo. . But no LSD or vdc and no brembos. Im looking into awd

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  Major flaw - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By hogheavenfarm - November 9 - 8:03 pm

  Gas mileage 33 as advertised, tank is small though, requiring frequent refills. Defroster barely adequate in cold weather, road noise a big problem with windows down. Biggest problem is that is gets blown around the road in the wind. Anything over 35 mph and you need two hands on the wheel, especially when a truck passes. Wont buy this car again, and road tests should include wind tests for this problem.

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  Riding to the max. - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Karen - November 8 - 1:45 pm

  This is my first Nissan and I simply love it. I have always been a Ford person but not anymore.

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  Riding to the max. - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Karen - November 8 - 1:45 pm

  This is my first Nissan and I simply love it. I have always been a Ford person but not anymore.

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  Riding to the max. - 2017 Nissan Maxima
  By Karen - November 8 - 1:45 pm

  This is my first Nissan and I simply love it. I have always been a Ford person but not anymore.