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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  Awesome Car - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Maxima Fiend - March 23 - 5:36 am

  I have had my maxima for 2 years now and it is one of the best cars I have ever driven. Fast, fun to drive, good handling good mechanics. Very reliable and with my silver color and wax it blinds the other drivers. Put tinted windows on it and it looks AMAZING. Seats are uncomfortable for my parents on long drives and the back seat head room is a little low. Wish Nissan put in bose standard but the sound system is good nonetheless.

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  Grrrrreat Van! - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By Driver1898 - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Great van. No doubt.

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  NISSAN SENTRA GXE. TOTAL SATISFACTION - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By CRAIG ADAMS - March 22 - 10:00 am

  CARS TESTED: TOYOTA COROLLA, HONDA CIVIC, NISSAN SENTRA.RESULT: THE SENTRA PROVED TO BE THE BEST BUY. REASONS:BEST ENGINE PERFORMANCE,BEST FIT & FINISH, BEST SHIFTING, AND BEST CONTENT.

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  Ole Miss Update - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By olemiss - March 21 - 11:44 pm

  I just wanted to update my post of my Frontier Crew Cab long bed with 3.3 engine. I had to replace the A/C compressor around 75,000 miles, replaced a headlight last week, and a battery at the seven year point. I chose to put new shocks all around and replace the brake pads at 85,000 miles. I will have new hoses and belts put on when I have the timing belt replaced at 100,000 miles. Not bad for a ten year old truck with 90,000 miles. I take very good care of this truck and I plan to drive it daily for a few more years.

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  Love this car! - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By jmedavis - March 21 - 2:06 am

  I have a 2001 SE 4x4. Bought it in 2005 with 64,000 miles. 5 years later and now over 175,000 miles on it, weve had no engine or transmission issues with it. I did have to replace an electrical component in the a/c this summer for about $250 but otherwise its just been routine maintenance. Its a fun truck to drive and very reliable. Not the best backseat for carseats but it is manageable. Were in the process of selling it only because our 3rd child is on the way and we cant fit the family in this car anymore. But that is the only reason were selling! Its been a great car.

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  My Rouge 1 - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By E. Wheeler - March 21 - 1:43 am

  I was looking for a SUV with good gas mileage. Found it here. Im getting 28 mixed and 33 plus highway. The AWD works fine in Colorado. If I had to complain, it would be that it has no clothes hanger in the back to put my dry cleaning. Other than that the Rouge is nice for the price.

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  Lot of Bang for the Buck - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By kinarow1 - March 21 - 12:46 am

  Why spend $10K more for a BMW, Audi, or Acura? This has most of the amenities of the high end luxury brands at a huge savings. Surprisingly quiet, good enough power, reasonably nice stereo. Sharp looking car.

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  GREAT CAR - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Tim - March 20 - 2:50 pm

  I bought my 2004 Nissan 2.5Sl new, and have loved driving this car. Only issues Ive EVER had are typical brakes, tires, battery, etc. I now have 105,000, and it still runs like new.

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  TOUGH Little Car.. - 2013 Nissan Versa
  By ibervilleroyal - March 20 - 2:08 pm

  The day I received a $3500 estimate to fix my 6 year old Prius was the day I TRADED IN that 6 year old Prius & Got my BRAN NEW Versa ... Even Up, No Regrets :) A year later I now have 45,000 miles on my Versa. Ive delivered pizza with it in the ice & snow storms of Northern Wisconsin to the heat indexes & humidity of South Mississippi. I get 36mpg Delivering in town with the air ON and 44mpg on freeways. I only use a full synthetic 0w-20 motor oil and keep the car serviced. Ive Driven this car Long, & Very, Very, Hard - and it has never faltered me or slowed me down. It never ceases to Amaze me how much power and room I can have under 15 Grand all-the-while averaging 40 mpg.

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  Never Going Back to Gas - 2015 Nissan Leaf
  By Brian Roach - March 20 - 12:28 pm

  Im extremely happy with the Leaf. While I appreciate the cars low environmental impact, I mainly bought it because it was a financial no-brainer. While the MSRP was around $33k (for the SL), I negotiated a price of $25k. Deduct the federal tax credit and a $2,500 rebate in MA, and the final cost was only $15k. So its just about the cheapest new car you can buy. Im fortunate enough to have access to free charging, so all my driving is now free. And theres virtually no regular maintenance or repairs to worry about. Of course the main limitation of the car is its relatively short range. I find I can get 100 miles in warmer weather, more like 70-75 in colder weather, with mostly suburban driving. For commuting, errands, and other short trips, the Leaf is just about perfect. We have a gas car as well, but hardly ever use it. I would say the Leaf makes a perfect second car, but you may find that it quickly becomes your first car. Driving the Leaf you really do feel like you are driving the future, and all gas cars seem both rather primitive and overly complex. EVs are simply better vehicles - quiet, smooth and quick acceleration, low maintenance, reliable, and better for the environment. I hope to never own another vehicle that uses gas. Im also smitten with the heated steering wheel, making winter driving much more pleasant. Whats the downside, besides the limited range? Well, the exterior design might not suit everyone. The steering wheel doesnt telescope - a strange omission. The armrest could be larger and adjustable. It could include a spare tire. But really thats about it. The Leaf is easily my best vehicle purchase, and I highly recommend it.