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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  Nissan - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By ringrose69 - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Not bad but heavy on gas!!!

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  Disappointing MPG - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By DannyRay - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Bad news first: I have been unable to get above 16 MPG city or HIGHWAY. This is totally unacceptable. I love the way it drives and handles. The interior is laid out very nicely except for the odd little storage below the radio. I love the exterior styling, still getting lots of looks. Im not sure if I will be keeping it, if Nissan or the dealer wont do something.

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  Great for the price. - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Burt - November 7 - 11:50 pm

  This small truck was exactly what I needed for a new sales job, inexpensive, small, some carring ability and good gas milage. I have been back to the dealer twice to fix a noise in rear when braking, problem still exists. Fun and semi peppy to drive, sporty feel. It should be faster for a 2400cc, 16 valve engine, Gas mileage was 22, I thought it should be better for a 4 cylinder mini truck, K&N air filter and Flowmaster exaust improved it by 10%.

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  scratched paint - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JMM71 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Picked up my Pathfinder. Took off the wind deflector for the sunroof that can with the vehicle( I dont like them or the look. It was all scratched underneath. A little disappointed at the fools that installed it. They did a good job messing up the Sherwood Green paint, right to the metal(and not just a little). Bringing it back to dealership, after having it 1 day. Other than that. Its no sedan (previouesly owned a 2001 V6 Accord EX), but I knew that before my fiance and I traded our cars in for one automobile.

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  A Necessary Addition - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Andrew - November 4 - 6:50 pm

  When I was looking for a new car, nothing stood out more than the Nissan Altima Coupe. The look of the car and its uniqueness on the road alone sold me. It is very fun to drive and responsive for me. The seats are perfect and the basic package brought what I needed and not the extras I honestly see as unnecessary. The 4 liters saves gas and since I am a penny pincher with little money, this helps a lot and trust me, it can keep up on the highway. While you may find some gripe with the car, such as small trunk space and no existent back seat, honestly, this car is perfect for me as a teenage driver. Honestly, with 4 liters, I get the power I need and my parents do not have to worry like a V6.

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  Very comfortable front seats - 2017 Nissan Sentra
  By PaulC - November 4 - 4:43 pm

  In an age where nearly all car makers offer only hard, thinly padded front seat bottoms that induce fatigue and soreness on longer drives the Nissan Sentra impresses with a seat bottom that fells softer and is shaped and padded in a way that doesnt cause pressure points and fatigue. Other characteristics of the car are just ordinary except for road noise which is suppressed better than in most midsize cars. I like cars with comfortable seats, and a bump absorbing and quiet ride and in the midsize category I find the Hyundai Elantra the most desireable overall, the Nissan Sentra second place, Toyota Corolla third place and Chevy Cruze fourth place.

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  Murano SL AWD - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By bbk - November 4 - 10:30 am

  This crossover is a terrific vehicle and is fun to drive. It has many great features, but you need to get all the packages to achieve that. The ride is smooth with great pick up.

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  Excellent "compromise" choice - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Geodude - November 3 - 11:26 am

  I live in the Northeast and owned an earlier version of the 2WD Frontier (a 2000), so there have been a handful of days each year where I have said "Im getting a 4-wheel drive next time," but when that time came, I just couldnt do it. I couldnt bring myself to go with the 14 - 19 mpg. This is my primary commuter, and I just couldnt justify it. That having been said, this truck at least makes you feel like you chose the 4 X 4, with its high riding position, decidedly big-truck suspension and aggresive styling. If you can bring yourself to own up to it, youll find the four cyl engine is plenty tough enough for weekend chores, hauling a popup and merging onto the highway.

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  3rd Time is the Charm - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By twowhldoug - November 3 - 6:06 am

  This is the 3rd rogue we have bought. The 2008 was ok but the awd was noisy. The2009 was just horrible, electrical and intell key problems, Nissan couldnt repair it. We tried to get them to replace it but that was a no. The dealer stepped up and helped us get into a 2010 at no cost to us. We have had no trouble with th 2010. It has been a pleasure to own and drive. Have aver 2200 mile in the last 3 weeks and it has gotten 27.6 mpg. If the 2008 we bought first was this good we would still have it. While we were fighting with Nissan about the lemon 2009 we could not decide on another make vehicle that we would Rather have. The rogue is a good a all around SUV with ample power and economy. We like it.

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  2009 Frontier - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By Susan - November 2 - 11:43 pm

  Been Toyota Tacoma driver for 14 years. Frontier seems ok so far. Rides a little ruff, think its going to be a rattling truck. Hearing some noises already, bought on 7/31. Stereo is very nice so w/volume up cant hear noises. 4cy automatic doesnt do too well w/cruise on. Like roominess cab, love access doors. Bigger than my 1995 Tacoma so Im getting used to tighter turning radius. Did cash for clunker & couldnt get Toyota. If I had do overs I might would have taken my chances on waiting to get Tacoma, that was my 1st choice. Just not sure its going to last me 14 years like last truck. On this review, Im not sure I chose the right style. Its 4Cy, king cab, power package, full bed