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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  Turning radius!!! - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By billodm - February 8 - 3:43 pm

  Excellent power and rides like a car. Plenty of room for my 6 foot frame. I had a full-sized 2006 Chevrolet crew cab that was easier to get into a parking space than my Frontier. Turning radius is terrible for a mid sized truck. Highway mileage isnt all that much better than the full sized Chevy 2 wheel drive, but city mileage is about 5 mpg better.(18-19 mpg). Headlights arent very good, fog lights should be standard.

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  Pain [non-permissible content removed] - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By BreAnna - February 8 - 3:22 pm

  Bought this car for $7,000 126,000.. First 2 months about 120,000 miles, the timing chain went out and was about a $3000 fix. Now at 175,000 miles Ive replaced the alternator 2 times. The engine covers most of the hood and fixing it is a pain in the ass, every time I bring it in its over $300 in labor just to get the engine out of the way. My winshild wipers go off randomly. And my radio stopped working and mechanics cant find out why. Time to go American made.

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  Excellent SUV - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Kirk - February 8 - 3:56 am

  We traded my wifes 1999 Grand Cherokee in for the Pathfinder. We have no regrets... the Pathfinder has been far superior to our Gr. Cherokee (which had seen its 3rd rear axle failure, among other things, in 70K miles). It has 80 more horsepower and gets 3 mpg (average) better mileage. In 6 months, we have put 15,000 trouble free miles on the Pathfinder. These miles includes a couple 2,000 mile trip with our 7 year old twins. The flexiblity of the the 3-row seating allowed for one to sit in the 2nd row and the other in the 3rd, and provide plenty of room for all our luggage/gear. The Bose stereo, power, styling and comfort are excellent. I would recommend the Pathfinder to anyone.

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  In Love w/ 07 Altima - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Alvin13 - February 7 - 2:30 pm

  I usually dont purchase new cars. I went into the dealership thinking to buy the Sentra until I saw and drove the 07 Altima. The car is like Woo! The sound system is awesome and it rides so smooth. Ive recently been promoted to a new position that will require a lot a road travel. I am so looking forward to traveling between sites. The metallic Jade w/ blond interior is beautiful. Be careful, you can never tell the speed youre going, watch the speedometer. You can easily be at 100 mph and dont know until you zoom pass another car going 80.

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  My 07 Maxima SE - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By Bruno Skerianz - February 7 - 5:56 am

  At first I thought I should have gone for the BMW 530 but after owning and driving my 07 Maxima SE for 3 months I know I made the right choice. Much better bang for the buck at 33K fully loaded. It doesnt have the BMW or Audi emblem on its tail but it sure drives and feels like one (or better in some cases, depending on which model its compared to). But for the price (including several options) this baby delivers.

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  Very pleased - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Jevon - February 6 - 2:40 pm

  I had an SUV for 15 years and I wanted to go to a sedan with good gas mileage and comfort and of course style. I researched quite a few cars and let me tell you the Altima is the best value for the price. I know there have been some reports that the seats were not comfortable. Well I just dont get it, the car seats are fine and not uncomfortable at all. The ride is great and the 4 cylinder is powerful. Im not going to miss my old SUV at all. I just love the gas mileage Im getting.

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  Like My Maxima - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By Linda Howard - February 5 - 6:23 pm

  I have been wanting a Maxima. Finally found one, exact color I wanted and feel like I got a good deal. Bought one that was a lease. Much better deal than buying a brand new one. The turning radius in not huge, but I can live w/that. Not used to the way the transmission does (maybe thats the way the Max is). Very good looking car on outside. Gets a lot of looks.

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  2005 Nissan king SE V-6 Review - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Toodster33 - February 5 - 1:46 pm

  I have had my SE King Automatic V-6 for alomst 2 years now and have put 33,000 miles with no problems whatsoever. I have to say I love it. I would have bought a Crew Cab, but they are not available in long box. 5 Foot box just is not going to do it for me. Get on it Nissan. Shift points could be a little better to get more performance out of motor. But over all not too bad of a comprimise.

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  Long time Rogue Owner - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By Garry Sargent - February 5 - 10:01 am

  On my 4th leased Rouge and the vehicle gets better every time I renew my lease. Went from a 2015 S model to a 2017 Midnight Edition right before Christmas..absolutly love my Grey Midnight Edition especially since our area received over 90" of snow right after we picked up our vehicles (wife went from a 2014 Juke to a 2017 Rogue Sport)..handles snow like a champ!

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  An Awesome Truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Big Papa Pump - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Get one loaded with all the features, you wont be dissapointed. I owned a Jeep Cherokee before this - what a pile of crap that was! The Nissan Super Charged Crew Cab Long Box is awesome! I added only the Nissan Bugshield (looks great) and a trailer hitch. I also tossed the cheap plastic bedliner and got Line-X spray-in bedliner instead. Its alot better & quiet! On top of the bed is a Jackrabbit retractable cover - it goes great with the Nissan rails! Maybe later Ill addbigger tires. A great truck - youll love it.