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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  Reliable - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Ally - November 11 - 7:06 pm

  When my parents and I started looking at cars I hated the Sentra it just wasnt what I thought I was looking for but then I test drove the Civic, Yaris, Corolla and Rabbit and finally under the encouragement of my father went to a Nissan dealership and I fell in love with the Sentra 2.0S. The keyless entry feature is great I havent used my key since i left the dealership. It has a smooth look, all the bells and whistles I could ever want all under 20K. Gas is great and even better since the price is starting to drop. The acceleration is good and despite what other reviewers say I have virtually no outside noise.

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  Awsome Vehicle - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Lance - November 11 - 7:03 pm

  I was an SUV person and decided that is was time for a car. I tried the Dodge Avenger, Toyota Camry and the Altima. The Altima won out on Power, and comfort of ride as well as space. I am a big guy and I feel really comfortable in the Altima. I think I actually have more room in this car then I did in my Chevy Blazer. I love the performance too, for a 4 cyl. this car has a lot of "get up and go".

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  Piece of Crap! - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By raymarie11 - November 11 - 3:33 pm

  Ive had this car for almost 2 years now and within first month I was stuck at work with a car that wouldnt start. Ended up being battery which wasnt covered obviously. then I had to go back like 3 months later for another problem, car wouldnt move, they claimed that from a good previous rain storm that something got flooded out internally and whatever repair it was, was covered. Then I went back again for some grinding noise, ended up being wheel barrings which were covered again. Then I went BACK again for some rattling noise it was making. Ended up paying 1100 freaking dollars for all these repairs only to have to come back 2 weeks later for a squeeky noise. and then it cut off. Beware

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  two yrs- many more!! - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Yabba61 - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle; fun to drive; handles in snow and rain very well (not as good as my ol Bronco tho) Classy interior with awesome stereo and features. Very reliable with nothing but oil-changes and gas so far. It probably will need tires before it hits 40K (stock tires were cheap.) service dept is excellent and quick (usually).

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  Why buy the Infiniti QX4? - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By cactusrose - November 11 - 10:00 am

  So my toddler is bleeding from the head and we are on the way to the emergency room in my bronze Nissan Pathfinder. As we pass a silver Infiniti QX4 he points out of the window and says "Daddys car." Now if even a concussed two year old can see through the exterior shiny trim of a QX4 that hides the Pathfinder beneath, wheres the snob value in buying the Infiniti? Buy a Pathfinder and save yourself $5,000. By the way, hes fine...

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  Great car but beware of headlamp design - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By LEM - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Great car, fun to drive and reliable. Big letdown is the ease that thieves can steal the headlamps - done to me in 10 minutes and replacement cost is tremendous - $2,100. Terrible, unsecure design by Nissan.

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  Murano is the real deal - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Risk Taker - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Nissan has hit a homerun with the Murano on the first pitch! This car is great on long trips. Gets terrific gas milage for a vehicle this size and turns heads everywhere I go. It has evey imaginable creature comfort but is not for whimps. Step on the gas and it really goes. If this car is as reliable over the long haul as it has been thus far, my instincts about buying this car in the first production year will have been proved right. Why cant American car makers design and build cars like this instead of all of the "so what" cars that come off of their assembly lines today.

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  Very Pleased! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By John Oberhofer - November 11 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Nissan product, the first being a 1991 4D Pathfinder. I kept the Pathfinder until 1998 without doing so much as changing the brakes, tires & battery once...and of course the scheduled oil changes. This vehicle reminds me of why I like Nissan....everything about this vehicle is 1st class....from the design...to the ride...it is worth every penny.

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  TWO THUMBS UP ! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By CTR - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Three words: JOB WELL DONE. This is an amazing SUV and fits me and my wifes lifestyles to a "T". Test drove new Maxima and liked it but the Murano had more to offer especially with the AWD system. There is no better car in its class as far as perfomance, appearance, quality (i.e. ride and Craftsmanship), saftey and comfort is concerned. Trailblazer and Escape cannot hold a candle next to it. First mid-size SUV design Ive seen that does not sacrifice back seat room for larger cargo space and vice versa. Nissan utilized the space well. Ive noticed that people always take a second look. Cant wait until its broken in to really test it.

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  Average Altima - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Blair - November 11 - 9:30 am

  I bought this car after trading in a 2001 GLE Altima that I had numerous issues with, purchased new. Still decided to give new Altima a try. Car is very cheap looking inside and not comfortable. Im a average size female 55 and 125 lbs. The seats hurt on long distance trips. After 2 weeks I traded this car in.