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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  Love and Hate - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Al P. - February 16 - 10:53 am

  Purchased the truck in April 2006 and since then have had a love/hate relationship with it. The power, towing and off-road capability are what I admire the most about this 06 Titan. Theres plenty of room in the cab with seats supportive enough not to tire me out on 300+ mile drives. The quality of materials used inside have a cheap look and feel. Great fosgate sound system. Heres what I dislike about the truck. Factory tires wore out after one season, all brake components worn out after 10000 miles, cant replace relay switches singly: have to replace entire integrated power distribution module, alternator burned out at 28000 miles, some stitching coming undone on bucket seat.

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  Pathfinder - Excellent!! - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Pathfinder Owner - February 16 - 2:00 am

  You cant go wrong with this SUV. It is both reliable and fun to drive!!

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  Nissan king cab 2wd - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By vwtommy - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Much higher up than the comparable 2 wheel drive Toyota. Very solid and fun to drive. The stick shift shifts great. And less expensive that the Toyota. I think it is more truck for the money...Would purchase another and my other car is a 1998 Toyota T100!

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  Great Car - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By microage - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had only one problem with my Maxima in over 90,000 miles - a sensor needed to be replaced. That is it! Amazing.

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  2002 GXE w/Synergy Package = Fun - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By 2young2retire - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Super fun to drive. Excellent gas milage, no rattles or squeeks and nice to look at. Almost no road noise even up to 80 mph. The only problem I have had is the sticking map lights but it is a common problem with the car and it was fixed immediately. Excellent service from the dealer. At $13,000 it is a real bargin.

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  Beast traped in a Luxury body 255-V6 SE - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By AznGiant - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I resurched quite a few cars(Jetta, accord, camery, impala, prelude,) before I mad the decision to get this car, and I am glad I made the right choice,This car is one of the funnest car ive ever driven. The suspension is a little rough but all the other avantages like the engine makes up for it. to shorten it up "looks nice, seats nice, woops ass."

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  03 XTERRA - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Jahoo56 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  A good vehicle for the active person.

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  GREAT! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By anonymous1 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This car has great power! There is plenty of interior space, though the materials could be better. The Bose is good, but not completely to produce great sound.

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  Mechanically sound, but... - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Bex - February 15 - 11:53 pm

  Car is comfy, roomy, but I too have had some problems. Rotors had to be turned around 7000 mi, tires replaced at about 26000 mi, all the scratches on the plastic bits like a lot of people mentioned. My biggest complaint however, is both the driver and passenger seats had to be replaced by the dealer due to some pretty nasty squeaking noises. Small, but kind of annoying and time consuming.

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  I got the right truck - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By garrettb - February 15 - 11:21 pm

  Bought it brand new... now 1 year later going on 9k miles. Great truck always gets 19 mpg.. Great engine. 4x4 works great, tows very well. I have only a couple minor complaints... The passenger fold down seat rattles and drives me crazy. The turning radius is Terrible. My Armada U-turned Much better than this Frontier. Other than that I love the truck. It is a keeper for sure. Ive owned a Ford Ranger and a Chevy Colorado. This Nissan is by far the nicest truck of all them.