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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  5,000 miles and loving it - 2012 Nissan Leaf
  By jberolo - June 9 - 8:08 pm

  I was lucky to find a dealer car with only 3000 miles and still new even though I bought it as used vehicle. There is little I cannot do with my LEAF. I have a pickup truck when I need to drive farther than my LEAF can take me, but honestly I hardly ever need to drive it. The range of the LEAF works for 90% of my daily and weekly driving needs.

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  I love this crossover!! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Colleen - June 9 - 1:33 pm

  Wow-- this car has it ALL. We opted for the SL, no x packages.The one we purchased came with floormats, splash guards and a moonroof. The seats are incredibly comfortable. Even the back seats are somewhat form fitted to your body! The leg room is unbelievable. We fit 2 booster seats and a carseat in the back. The cargo area is very large, with hidden compartments. There was ample room for 2 bales of hay for our Halloween display. The ride is smooth and with the CVT, you cant feel the car shift at all. Its a very quiet ride too. I would definitely recommend to everyone.

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  Tons of room! - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By carlson66 - June 9 - 8:46 am

  I bought this car yesterday - I went to look at the Altima and the Maxima; the dealership had just gotten their first Cubes, so I was curious. I was sold as soon as I sat in it. Its deceivingly big on the inside! My husband is 61" and when he sits in the driver seat, there is still a good 8-10" of head room. It has very comfortable seats and is extremely easy to get in and out of. The back seat offers again, tons of room and it slides forward or backward to give you either more leg room or more cargo room. I have a 5 year old who uses a booster seat and its been hard finding something that is easy to get her in and out of, until now. The fun part...its a blast to drive!

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  2008 Nissan Frontier - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Ponch - June 9 - 4:20 am

  Purchased my frontier a week ago and love it! Prett fast, smooth ride. Excellent color choice and fabric for the interior cloth, doors, etc.

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  Great Car - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By KJB21 - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Maxima. I also had a 93. Great cars!! Been driving a Maxima for the last 7 years. Wouldnt had it any other way.

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  Excellent Sports Sedan - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By ___WORM - June 9 - 2:00 am

  This is a 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE in a manual. The car is is jet black on the outside and charcoal inside. This is the best car both sedan or sports car that I have ever owned. It handles like a dream and is extremely fast. The 5 speed manual shifter is very smooth and is very fun to drive. Interior space is very spacious with lots of nice storage compartments including two huge copholders in the front as well as in the back and with a huge trunk. Drove a new Camry and Accord and discovered that if you really love cars and want a sharp looking car that really stands out and is fun to drive than get the Altima otherwise get something else.

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  My Nissan - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Joanna - June 7 - 6:10 pm

  The front seats have so much leg room. Even more than my full size SUV. The gas mileage is wonderful.

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  Not your fathers Olsmobile - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By WDS - June 7 - 2:40 pm

  Ive had this car for two weeks and love it. It handles extremely well for a mid- size sedan. First tank of gas I got 25.3 mpg. I hope that will improve some as I expected to get around 28mpg. The stereo isnt bad for us 40 and over crowd. The trunk is huge. I wish I sent the extra $1500 for the convenience package. other than that it sure beats my Dodge Ram with the Hemi 14 mpg.

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  The Quest is the Best! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Stefanie Ascherl - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I love this van. My husband wanted an SUV but with a family on the way, I wanted something not so high off the ground with good gas mileage. We looked at the Sienna and the Honda and the Quest was the one for us. I love all the room and the sensor in the back is fantastic. We really didnt need all the bells and whistles but we are happy to have them. The BOSE system is a plus. With kids, the sliding doors are a must. I cant keep my husband out of it.

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  Pick of the litter - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By sensibleguy - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I am obsessed with getting value for my money and its my nature to crib about everything I buy. But everytime I look at the Titan on my driveway, I cant stop smiling. It looks cool and has a more urban touch than the roundish dodge rams and F150s. I test drove every combination of every model of every maker. Other trucks felt like they have been put together from seperate pieces. When they move, it is the engine dragging the rest of the body. The Titan feels like one tight unit. Integrated. The whole thing has been designed to be one powerhouse. Fun to drive, smooth as silk, responds to the pedal without hesitation. Only a matter of time that it becomes numero uno choice of America.