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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  Buyer beware - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By fmosoy - May 17 - 1:30 pm

  Purchased this car after considering Acura TL among the usual suspects in the same price range. I wish I had sprung for the extra 5000 dollars, as it seems like a bargain after five months of ownership. Nissans interior quality is shameful to be generous.This car has more rattles than Mazda I traded in. Panel gaps and sagging interior pieces are too numerous to mention. It is very fast and reasonable handling/ride and provides good 24.5 miles per gallon. Nissan has now gone on my never will buy again list.

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  best deal for the money - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By happy owner - May 16 - 11:36 pm

  I have 16547 miles on this car and its never been in the shop. Front tires are beginning to wear(have not had them rotated). Uncomfortable after a couple of hours of steady driving (legroom). Fantastic gas milage always 38-42 on the highway when speed is kept at 50-55 miles an hour, lowers to 33-35 at 65+ miles per hour. Great value, lots of extras included in price (power everything and remote locks). Nice exterior design, lots of compliments (spoiler and low profile 16" alloy wheels).

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  Dissponted Owner - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ckone2030 - May 16 - 10:58 pm

  Bought this car in June 2013 because i liked the style and had owned Nissan in the past. First week already had some transmission rattling issue, in which Nissan still does not have a solution. In 6 months already have 2 recalls. And most recently the front bumper cracked for no reason. The expert in the bodyshop said that material is very flimpsy and would crack easily. Terrible experience with this Pathfinder and this maybe the last Nissan I will ever buy.

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  Mixed Review - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Hopjim - May 16 - 8:59 pm

  Pros: Great seats/comfort, intuitive safety features, good cost value versus competitive "luxury" SUVs, good exterior styling Con: bad road vibration from large tires-not fun to drive, inconsistent idle that also causes vibration, dealership service dept. inconsistent-good maintenance but slow to answer phone and poor communications

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  Not a sports car-but okay - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By jeo - May 16 - 7:26 pm

  I have found ownership of my Altima having offsetting pluses & minuses. Yes its reliable and gas mileage around 25-28 mpg. But when parts wear out they are quite expensive. The seats are hard & uncomfortable, it has the turning radius of a truck, the stereo is no Bose.

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  2011 Silver Edition Pathfinder - 2011 Nissan Pathfinder
  By jtjnk - May 16 - 5:06 pm

  This is my 4th Pathfinder and my husband has an 06 Pathfinder SE. I traded in my 06 Sienna xle for the 11 Silver Edition. I wanted a 7 passenger 4x4. There are a lot of crossovers out there but I wanted a true 4x4 with the capacity to drive out of my driveway without me having to shovel, snow blow or plow it. I have 5 kids and I did have a Suburban but it was too big for everyday use for me, so back to the Pathfinder I went. The Pilot and the Durango were considered - Pilot was too plain inside and out and didnt seem as capable in the snow as a Pathfinder. The Durango was my second runner up but the Pathfinder was a better buy for the $$, reliability and 4x4 capability.

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  Exactly What I Expected - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Eric D - May 16 - 7:03 am

  The TV commercials are not the only good thing about the Nissan Maxima. This car is fast and fun to drive. The GLE model is loaded. The heated steering wheel with the Meridan package is a neat feature. The Xenon headlights are drastically better than convetional lights. With Nissan offering a $1000 cash back I got a great deal. I actually paid less than the TMV.

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  Nissan titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Bob - May 16 - 5:40 am

  Great truck. Plenty of room. Like how back seats foldup. High clearance but cant use chains on tires.

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  The Beast - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Elias60 - May 15 - 5:40 pm

  This truck has all the attributes I was looking for. It handles great, has great off the line acceleration. It has turn heads good looks, the drive train is very smooth for a truck. The interior is laid out very well, theres lots of room for 5 people. The gas milage is a little low to what I was expecting. The Brakes arent up to par to stop this big truck. This truck needs beefier brakes esspecially if your going to tow something.

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  Powerful - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JPham - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Bought this 2WD model used. V6 runs like a V8 and drinks fuel like it too. Pretty confortable and roomy too.