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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  Car has transmission problems - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By Eileen Ochsner - August 25 - 11:56 am

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  nice car - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By nick - August 25 - 10:16 am

  I have had the car for all most half a year bought it with 64,000 miles just had the O2 sensor replaced and fix timimg cover oil leak at 74,000 had extended warranty all ways buy the warranty. Other then thad i love the car. Handles a little woerd sometime but i can pass just about anything in the midsize sedan class. Will buy a another one soon

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  Stylish looks and good ride - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Uds - August 24 - 2:03 pm

  I have just had it for four days. The ride is good. Vehicle is stylish and has 18" wheels. Yet to determine MPG. Got it at $27K with premium pkg and other minuscule options. Wish there were more storage space in the front cabin. I like it and is worthy enough if you can bargain much. A major drawback is the blindspot. The window at the rear is a little too small and the rear seats obscure some view at the corner. Youll have to solely depend on the outside rear view mirror. Other than this and a little space, the auto is very good.

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  A must test drive: More than it seems - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By Margie - August 24 - 12:50 am

  I didnt think I would like this car I traded in a 2010 Toyota Corrolla part of the recall. I was set on a Subaru. I saw this souped up Cube in the Showroom, I was passing by as I was headed out to the Subaru dealership across the street. The dealership had added a sunroof, Ostrich Leather seats that are heated racing stripes. I dont know how this got by me. I love the keyless entry and the no need for a key in the ignition. It drives great and the seats are so comfortable. It also handles well in snow which I would not have thought it would. I think this is an up and coming car. I also had a Yaris this is much better and lots of storage in the back with the added Cargo feature.

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  Love IT! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Love IT! - August 23 - 3:40 pm

  This car is so much fun and so smooth! I love the look, the 4 cylinder has plenty of power and when I took it on the freeway it got 35 mpg. I have been averaging about 24-25 MPG on my daily commute which is short and mostly city. The back seat is small but my kids are grown and I really dont care. I folded the back seats down to use for storage.

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  Impulsive purchase - 1999 Nissan Frontier
  By Catie - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Purchased day after I totalled my Sentra, I wanted capability to carry furniture & big boxes & sit higher up off the ground (my 97 sentra was so low). Big differences between the two vehicles are gas mileage & interior space, obviously, but I thought Id have another 2 or 3 mpg rather than the 25 or 26 hwy. A good truck for city driving; not real comfortable for long trips, and I can only carry one other person which is a bummer. Makes an occasional noise like a lid is rattling under the hood, maybe heating manifold cover. Hoping nothing but good things from Nissan. Bought used at 44k miles. Nice, smooth shifting & handling at high rpm.

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  2002 SE-R Spec V - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By stix006 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Great car for a great price, speed and acceleration is unrivaled for anything in this price range. I just wish the gas tank was bigger, but it suffices. A great car to drive, takes off really quickly. You have to be careful because theres alot of torque an its FWD, so you have to be on your toes.

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  pathfinder - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By lov-n-it - August 23 - 2:00 am

  25000 miles and NO PROBLEMS. This vehicle is very versitile. Easy to park, fun to drive, merging is breeze, 240hp. would have got the LE but at 63" i did not have enough headroom.

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  A GOOD OVERALL SUV - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By hala - August 23 - 2:00 am

  THE CAR IS GOOD,BUT IT LACKS SOME LEG ROOM IN THE BACK. IT IS HARD TO FIT THREE PERSONS IN THE BACK , IT WONT BE CONFORTABLE. THE BACK SEATS ARE NOT EASY TO FOLD SO THE CARGO SPACE CAN BE USED. THE SEATBELT BUCKLES GET STUCK UNDER THE SEAT OFTEN, AND IT IS HARD TO TAKE THEM OUT. THE CAR RIDES VERY NICE AND HAS A LOT POWER.

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  Love it - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By camc - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had it only for about two weeks but its great. Im looking for any reason to get out and drive it. I also purchased the navigation system which is really pretty slick. Its has hotels,atms,airports and hundred of other preprogramed points of interest. The car ride is really nice. Only complaint I have is that the XM radio option that is advertised is not yet available.