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:

• 

  Chucks truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By caw - May 11 - 8:43 am

  I have enjoyed my 2002 Nissan Frontier very much since I purchased it three years ago. I was originally drawn to the interior design, and made my purchase based mostly on this, as well as the reputation for quality that Nissan has. I was a bit disappointed in the acceleration, having just traded in a full sized Ford truck, but soon learned that there was more power there than it seemed, it just requires fully depressing the accelerator pedal and holding for a few seconds. I have been pleased with the handling and turning radius, as well as the convenience of the interior layout. I feel more like Im driving a car than a truck, which is just the way I want it. I am now buying a 2004 model now in lieu of the 2005.

• 

  Hubbys New Titan - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By Just Me - May 10 - 9:13 pm

  We have driven a Ford, Chevy, Dodge, GMC and Toyota truck. I have to say that after driving this truck, we will never turn back. This truck rides so smooth and has a lot of room in it. The gas mileage isnt the greatest but we can live with that. I feel the dash board is made for dummies. Its easy to see and operate.

• 

  bad engines - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By GENE - May 10 - 5:03 pm

  I have a knocking / rattle when I step on the gas when the car is cold. I have had my car in and out of Nissan service about 10 times at this point. I finally got them to admit that the noise exists. They have changed the heat shield but the noise still occurs. Nissan is telling me that this is normal and there is no piston skirts on 2.5 engines

• 

  Two years and still happy - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Tom - May 10 - 4:20 am

  Just passed my two year point with my 03 Altima and Im still happy. Slightly bored with it, but overall it has been very reliable (except for a "flowing water" sound in the dash when I first got it - which was fixed by the dealer replacing the radiator), its pretty fun to drive I guess (except for its hesitancy to downshift and absence of power at low RPMs). Would stay with Nissan when the lease is up if the reviews on the Maxima werent so upsetting!

• 

  Nice Car // SE - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Rnelson108 - May 10 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is a blast to drive with 255HP and the sport suspension. The fit and finish is great. The only knocks against the car are the things that make it fun. It requires 92 Octane fuel (top 10 ratesd engine). The SE suspension can be little rough (all the more fun to salom between the manholes) The 17" wheels /tires can get a little dicey in the snow. I look for reasons to take the car out.

• 

  Very Happy - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Adam K - May 10 - 2:00 am

  Couldnt be happier with my purchase...definitely worth the money!

• 

  excellent - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By maxima se - May 9 - 7:43 pm

  i love my car this my fifth new maxima that i have owned my first in 1988 they have come along ways since then. i now live in las vegas i drove the car, by myself, from Tuscumbia, Al. had no trouble at all. i have people all the time commenting about how great of a good looking car i have. im proud to be seen driving it. the color is white, interior, tan leather, moon roof the works. im 60 years old and feel 30, what more can i say. good luck to new owners of a se maxima. there,s nothing better. thanks, Linda, Las Vegas

• 

  A Lot Of Bang For Your Buck - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Matt - May 9 - 7:43 am

  Bought the car to get some relief from Tahoe gas mileage while running children to and from school and sporting events. I looked around Edmunds info and went to several dealerships looking at the Honda Fit, several Toyotas, and the Nissan Versa hatchback and sedan. After considering the reviews, the price, the safety ratings, and getting inside some of these tiny contraptions, I decided the Versa sedan fit my needs best and the needs of my family, including one new learners permit driver. So the Tahoe spends most of its life in the garage, while we buzz around on the Versa. I couldnt be happier with the overall quality, ride, ROOM, and fuel economy. Great little car, for not many bucks.

• 

  What a roomy car, and economical. - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By slinky58 - May 9 - 6:20 am

  Extremely roomy, the Nissan Versa is what I was looking for. High sitting seats, so I dont have to "duck" into the car. I can slide in/out like an SUV w/o the gas guzzling. Economical. Cons: has a "ping" when you run the AC. I found this to be true of the previous Altima I had. Also, I could use more leg room. But I love this car. The seats are extremely comfortable, blue tooth is outstanding, and the car drives very well, solid for an economical car. I love it.

• 

  Pleasantly surprised to say the least - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By arg76 - May 9 - 12:42 am

  I have a long comute around 110 miles a day and i was getting a little tired of my SUV and it 17mpg, i wanted two things, great fuel economy and no car payment. I looked at the Honda, i looked at the Toyota Yaris and corolla they just felt cheap, then i noticed Nissan were offering the Versa for under 11k. It turned out the 11k version was a manual trans, wind up windows basic stereo and seat cloth that felt like twine, its a new car for 11k i get its not going to be mega luxury, so the dealer showed me the SV version, a little more 16.5k but much nicer interior and CVT box and ipod plug and nicer seats. I drove and bought it that day, amazing mpg more than they claim, and really a great car