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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  What can you get better bang for buck? - 2010 Nissan 370Z
  By Madfreak - May 12 - 1:40 am

  Best car for money for performance but the one thing a lot people dont know about this car is bullet proof build engine and trans. Somehow you can still get 30 mpg on highway!

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  Some days - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By KG - May 12 - 12:20 am

  Most of the time I love my Murano. However, when I have problems it seems to take multiple visits to the dealer to cure them. It took a year to solve a creak in the sun visors. Ive made at least 4 visits for a creaking drivers door. Any road imperfections make it creak and it is embarassing when you have others in the vehicle. The door panel has to be replaced. Cruise control will occasionally not respond when I tap the brake pedal have to slam on the brakes or turn off cruise control. The dealer just replaced the master cylinder hoping that will cure the problem So doI! Nissan should spend more money on the interior. It feels like all the money was spent on exterior design.

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  Reliable Car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By cy04547 - May 11 - 1:10 pm

  I purchased this car in 2004 with 35,000 on it. It now has 154,000 miles. I have gotten 40 mpg on the highway and this is what I absolutely love about the car. I consistently averaged 35 on a mix of back roads and rte 1 (60 mph). Besides regular maintenance, I have had to replace a front coil spring (cheap fix, got the part from a junk yard). There are tons of sentras in the junk yards so get used parts! This cost me about $40, the horn went just after I bought it and probably several other really small things. Currently the connection with the radio and lights to the gearshift have blown. I can deal. I am having trouble giving up the car because of the reliability and gas mileage!

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  Squeaky Cube - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By My Cube - May 11 - 2:13 am

  I love the look. Everyone has said, "that car is so you." its very comfy. I fit two surfboards inside when a part of the back seat is folded, as well as two surfers (my son and his friend) and me (mom). It feels spacious inside, even though its actually quite compact. It has, however, had problems even in the first couple of months. There were some minor things and very squeaky brakes. I have had it for 5 months and have had to take it to the dealer 4 times! Its a bit disappointing. Other than that, its lovely.

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  2500 sv high roof - 2012 Nissan NV
  By marvin356 - May 10 - 10:39 pm

  2012 sv2500 high roof 5.6 V8 all options. Great leg room, most comfortable truck I have owned. Insulated and panled inside. Fuel miliage not so good. Try to drive for best fuel miliage .13.2 mpg hand calc.

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  Lamaeque Nissan - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Louis - May 10 - 8:53 pm

  This is my first Frontier and I love it. I was used to Toyotas (Good Trucks) but I have to say that the Frontier beats them all.

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  The right midsize truck for the job. - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By A. Martin - May 10 - 6:20 pm

  The 265HP engine is very responsive. The truck handles as well as many passenger cars. Excellent for Hwy and city driving. Fuel economy is avg, but much better than my wife’s 2002 SC Xterra, and it runs on 87 octane well. The 5 speed automatic transmission shifts very smooth and does so when I would want to. (I have always been a manual guy until now.) The exterior is very nice with less “plastic” than on some new trucks and previous frontiers. The spray on bed liner is first rate with a great rail system for securing cargo. The interior is made of very high quality materials and the fit and finish is grade “A”. If you don’t like plastic you may not like it as much as I do.

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  think before buying Nissan - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By toyosta - May 9 - 7:03 pm

  I am very upset for having made mayor mistake in buying this car. It rattles badly, has terrible fuel economy, is uncomfortable to drive, the price is not competive with other small sedans. I do not know what I was thinking when I bought this. I would only buy a Toyota or a Chevy next time.

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  Love it! - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By ChrissyTina - May 9 - 4:13 pm

  We just bought this car and are absolutely in love. We upgraded from a WRX - we have a 1 year old and needed more room. My only quirk is the speedometer. I like having the numbers at every 10 MPH, and a definitive line at the 5 marks. most of the speed limits here are 25, 35, 45. everything with a 5. But thats just my personal quirk. The view through the back is smaller then I am used to, but i dont find that its too small and have no trouble backing up. It is comfortable and fun to drive, and much easier to transport a 1 year old, and all of his gear in.

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  yall come on now - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By worldismine - May 9 - 4:20 am

  I am at 9000 miles at just 6 months. so you know I am driving this car. I drive 42 miles round trip to work and take trips when I can. I love this car. It is 90 degrees now and I am comfortable with the air. I have only driven it on setting three once or twice. I usually drive with it on the first setting after letting the hot air out. I have moved an office in it so I know it has plenty of space. It is very comfortable for anyone sitting in the back. I drove 211 miles at 85 miles without stopping and got good gas mileage and made really great time. This will get you where you want to go. It might not be the fanciest car out there but for the price. It is hard to beat. Artic Blue my fav!