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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  Nice All Around Car - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By crawl731 - January 10 - 1:23 am

  I have owned this car for about 3 1/2 years now and I still like driving it. It has very nice power and is comfortable to drive. What I liked about when I bought it is that it is practical and sporty at the same time. Nice HP and can seat 5 with a fold down seat for trunk access. I have had a few problems with the exhaust lately but I am at 90,000 miles now and that is to be accepted. No problems with the transmission and engine at all. Very reliable so far.

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  Zippy, fun car! - 2015 Nissan Leaf
  By Kelly - January 10 - 1:23 am

  The Leaf is a really fun car to drive. It handles well, feels very solid and well made. I think its zippy- I dont understand the slow acceleration comment from Edmunds. I loved my previous car but sold it to friends in order to go with new technology. I leased rather than purchased- you want to be able to move on to a higher range vehicle in a few years. Hope Nissan comes out with a 150-200 range version in 2018 - Ill be waiting in line... If you dont like the odd look of the Leaf (many dont) its all the more reason to be driving it - you wont have to look at it! Inside, it is a nicely appointed, spacious car. As far as charging it - I plug it in to a standard outlet in my garage and it charges overnight. Just like my iPhone and iPad.... A regular, nightly procedure. 100 percent charged by 7 a.m. Love it. Leased January 2016. Adding a comment here.....LEASING is a better deal than purchasing.

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  Original Owner - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By John - January 9 - 5:13 am

  While the initial experience with the dealership has never been forgotten, the car has been very good to me. Good acceleration, and fun to drive. 52,000 miles and have changed tyres and oil... and nothing else (no brake pads, belts, O2 sensors, coils etc). The car does get a workout though. Owning a Nissan I keep up with www.Nissan.com, and this website tells you a lot about the company. I have not been tempted to buy a new model; my 1999 model will last me a long time I believe.

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  Thought I had a great SUV - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By mck111 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Until I hit 100K on the odometer I thought I owned the best SUV available for the price. Snapped a timing belt at 100,300. Nissan has given me no releif, owners manual calls for replacement of belt at 105K. Replaced engine with a 30k used engine. Both engines had cracks in exhaust manifold. A lemon of an engine. Some engine parts a clearly sub-standard

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  Armada - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By backflip - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Owned 8 months. 8K miles, 2nd set of brake pads, rotors resurfaced twice. Sunroof rattles, interior shaking. AC vents in front not adjustable. Constant pinging sound in engine at low speed, dealer cannot find problem. Appears all Nissans investment was made on exterior. Not a $40K vehicle.

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  My Spec V - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By JaySpecV04 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I was driving down a local highway one day when I was passed by a beautiful yellow Spec V. I never heard of them before, and just thought, a Sentra is a Sentra. I decided to do a little research. I saw the specs and the total package and I was really impressed. I thought, "wow, this car must be really fun." At the time I was driving a gas guzzling Dodge Durango. It was costing me at least $15 a day in gas just to do my everyday things. I only had it for about 4 months when I decided that maybe it just wasnt for me. I stopped down at my local Nissan dealership and picked up a black Spec V as fast as I could.I absolutly love it now. Very overlooked car.

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  Love My XTerra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By CKCFirst - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I really love my Xterra. I got it mainly for the looks, the durability, and the Nissan reliability. I was disappointed that leather seats were not an option, and it is a total pain to have to take out the back seat cushions to lower the back part flat. It has been very reliable, and kept me safe and unharmed in quite an impactive auto accident. I will seriously consider upgrading to the new model of XTerra, in the next few years, after I get this one paid off! It is very competitive in price, and I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking in the mid-size SUV market.

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  If you want a TRUE S.U.V. - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By 82BlackShark - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I compared the Saturn Vue and the Hyundai Sante Fe before making my decision on the Xterra. The Xterra has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. while the others have only 1,200 lbs. The ground clearance and cargo capacity is larger than the others too. Get the 4 cyl 5 speed manual if you want the power. It does seem underpowered at first and it took me three days to get used to the shifts. Now I can make this truck fly fast. It has three regular V belts instead of 1 long serpentine belt so no worries if you run into deep water. Nissan built a real SUV.

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  nissan - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By mrmig - January 8 - 10:00 am

  this car for the money is one of the best values in todays market place. It is extremly stylish and with clean lines Hope to see the same car with all wheel drive!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  opinion - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By fernandez - January 8 - 5:46 am

  car performance good.excellent for snow driving. turns easily. compares to others cars. poor gas mileage.