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:

• 

  Titanic Cruising in Open Water - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By brad - December 16 - 11:43 am

  Excellent truck; outstanding design. I use this truck for family outings, commuting to work and hauling a two horse trailer (est 5,000#). Excellent all-around performance.

• 

  Reliable SUV - 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Matt - December 16 - 11:00 am

  I bought this SUV new in 2004 and Ive never had one problem with it. Ive only had to replace the normal things that wear. New belts, brakes, rotors, tires and a transmission fluid flush. Regular oil changes every 3-5k miles and not one problem! Very happy with this vehicle, it was our first Pathfinder and Id definitely buy another one.

• 

  First truck, last truck - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Erik - December 16 - 1:00 am

  Got back from a deployment and I got to purchase my first truck, I looked at the Ford, Chevy, and GMC first but fell in love with the Titan. Ive had It for about a week, two days ago I drove a thousand miles to get home for leave and I couldnt have been more comfortable.

• 

  Love My Murano - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Linda Campbell - December 16 - 12:36 am

  Although my Murano is a 2004, there doesnt seem to be too many technical, mechanical or cosmetic changes between the 2004-2005. I have never been so excited and thrilled with a vehicle before. I love the style, comfort and beauty of this car, not to mention the sporty features of a SUV. It rides like a luxury car and performs like a skatt rocket truck. What more could a 62 yr old Florida grandmother ask for?

• 

  Dream Car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By tami - December 15 - 9:56 pm

  Great gas mileage, fun to drive, sporty yet roomy, love the sunroof and to be able to swith from automatic to maual if I chose. I just love this car.

• 

  3700 - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By NISSANOWNER - December 15 - 5:36 pm

  This truck is more like an suv with a truck bed however the four door back seat is very small no normal size adult can fit. The standard v6 is weak even up hill the look and the interior are the reson i bought this truck and the fact it has had no problems, but it just a little to slow and wussy in the long run it will still be a good running truck when i trade it in.

• 

  Great car - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Freddie - December 15 - 1:56 pm

  I love my new Versa, its my first brand new car I have even purchased and Im very happy with it. Im over 6ft tall and I fit in the back seat without a problem. My wife and baby boy love it as well!!!

• 

  ANOTHER new tranny needed - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By palmtreezz - December 15 - 1:50 pm

  Bought the Nissan used, only 2 years old and 32,000 miles on it, transmission went out 2 days later. Now just over 2 years on that tranny and its out. Nissan wants $5500 for a rebuilt transmission. The other 40+ cars in my close family are all American, so they are having fun with the "I told you sos". After a year of chemo and radiation its the last thing I needed, cant afford to fix it so it sits on a trailer while I continue to get rides to work and make a payment on it.

• 

  Based on one test drive - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By VHF - December 15 - 1:36 pm

  In the market for a new truck to replace 5.2 L Dakota. Tried new Dakota and Tundra to rule out Titan 5.6L 4x4. Cant rule it out even if it is larger than needed. Its a truck...believe me!

• 

  Cars the way they should be - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By Wifes car - December 15 - 10:43 am

  After reading the reviews of others I thought I should add my two cents. I currently have 183,000 miles on my Nissan Altima and planning to go at least another until 250,000 before giving it to my niece. The car has been trouble free just change the oil and brakes along with tires and keep driving it. Wanted to put this out to other folks with less miles so they know their cars still have a long way to go, keep on trucking. Don