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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  Excellent Car for the Price - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By Grand Touring - December 20 - 9:16 pm

  Ive had my car for about 3 months now and have enjoyed every minute of it. Ive been waiting for several year to get it and it was worth the wait. This was the design I wanted, so I had to go after it before the redesign hits next year. The 6M is very smooth and easy to use. All the interior controls and navigation system are easily accessible and easy to use. The seats are very comfortable, although a little snug compared to a regular passenger car. The head and legroom are excellent. The car is a blast to drive and the exhaust note is very cool.

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  Pure sports car - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By Steve - December 20 - 7:13 pm

  Bought a Touring Roadster about two months ago. Here are the pros: powerful, handles great, roomy for a two seater (interior and trunk), great manual transmission, decent bose stereo, easy top operation, nice stock rims. Cons: poor gas mileage, no telescoping steering wheel, road noise, strange rattle over bumps, poor visibility. All things considered, its a great car. The fun factor far makes up for any imperfections. It feels like a true sports car. It has this "brute power" kind of feeling. Its a little heavy for such a little car, but I like that, it makes the car feel solid and planted to the road. I think for the money, it is a great value. I would highly recommend this car.

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  Toaster... Who cares! Ill take the laughs! - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By lauraleiwhit - December 20 - 6:37 am

  I have laughed at all "toaster" cars since they came out. The low mileage and price were the only thing that even made me sit in it. But one trip around the block sold me. Smooth ride, responsive steering and acceleration. I laughed at the dash carpet and tossed it in the trunk, but the eye-pleasing interior is sweet and the most comfortable ever! My comment before buying was "Well I dont have to look at the outside and the inside is awesome." So far... 26.8 mpg city only. CVT tranny is great. If I have a lighter touch on acceleration I get quicker response... flooring it isnt the best idea. The toaster has won me over... I love it!

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  Great car - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Moustapha - December 20 - 6:00 am

  I bought this car two weeks ago and I just love it. The driving is great, very classy and the car is well designed from inside and outside.

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  To many repairs in a short time. - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By Robert - December 20 - 3:57 am

  The engine is great. The equipment attached to it is weak. I have had to replace the transmission, the computer box, the power steering pressure hose, the power steering box the radio, the power attachments for cellphone hookup do not work, The sunroof is faulty, works when it wants too. The time waiting for parts to repair is unbelieveable. The windows are not made to keep out the road noise. this car has been in the shop more times than my 1999 Durango which has 274000 miles. and is More reliable than my 2006 Max with 164000 miles. I have owned an 1989 Maxima, and the clutch kept going out. It is in the shop now for a new steering unit. I cannot make my money without it. I am going out to buy another car. It will not be a Nissan. I would not recommend it unless it is a truck.

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  Good Enough - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By GREEN NURSE - December 19 - 3:53 pm

  I love this ride. It was a huge upgrade from 10 yr old ford subcompact. Comfortable, OK gas mileage, love the front cabin storage compartments. Sound system was good too. I purchased the S AWD. And this ride is good enough for me. I expect to feel safer driving to work during the next winter storm. Safety is the number one reason for purchasing this ride.

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  the ultimate in affordable sports cars - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By zUltimateDrivingMach - December 19 - 10:00 am

  The ultimate in affordable sports car. It is definitely fun to drive, especially around corners and on open highways. I found myself doing what you dont normally do on the road, if you know what I mean! I would definitely recommend it. You should check out Superior Nissan in Puente Hills, CA, my sales guys name was Ratana or RC.

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  my z - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By yotzeeee - December 19 - 10:00 am

  the car is beautiful on the outside and fun to drive with good power and an extremely good manual transmission. interior a bit on the cheesy side but you have to cut somewhere to get that much car for that little money. would definately reccomend to sports car enthusiast on somewhat of a budget

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  Great little truck - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By John Gaz - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Bought this truck new,no major mechanical problems with truck at all! Only problem I have had is the speedometer has started to intermitanly stick at 40 miles per hour. This is the second nissian truck I have had and will continue to buy thier trucks. Reliablity is great for this size truck! One odd thing is the truck owners manual barely fits into the unusally small glove compartment?

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  Ziggys GXE - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Ziggys GXE - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Sentra and I went back and bought a second one for a reason. My first one 94 was the most reliable car I have every owned. I bought it used with 7000 miles drove it very hard and very often for 7 years. When totaled at 170000 miles it was a true loss. It started Every Time and Anytime. I have driven it as much as 16 hours straight and it was always ready for more. I have driven it in every weather condition and it had always performed very well.