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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  Very Satisfied Customer - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Jenn - April 4 - 7:43 am

  After totaling my GMC Envoy and breaking my leg. I began my search for a new SUV, (I would never purchase another American made SUV) I wanted an SUV that was reliable, safe, and comfortable. I found all that in the Murano. In fact i was so impressed with this vehicle that my monther also purchased one for herself. I have never had any problems with the car in the 8 months that i have owned it, and I have never felt more safe in an SUV than i do in this one. I feel that Nissian has their act together. I am one VERY SATISIFIED CUSTOMER! I am now looking foward to purchasing the Nissian Titan to tow my horse trailer. Nissian is an increidible company that I stand by.

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  Most Fun Full-Sized Pickup Available - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Dave R. - April 4 - 1:13 am

  I was looking to buy another Sierra until I sat in a Titan at the Auto Show. This truck has the most comfortable seating of any vehicle I have ever sat in as well as a ton of leg room (important for me as I have long legs). I tow an 18 fiberglass boat that is kind of heavy and this truck pulls it very well. The nav system is excellent and a nice option to have. It was hard to find one with side air bags as the package for air bags includes an electronic stability system - both of which I feel should be standard on all vehicles. Gauges are well designed and easy to read. The transmission temp gauge is nice to have if you are towing anything.

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  Love our Armada - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Adam - April 3 - 9:40 pm

  The car is comfortable and fun to drive. The safety features are wonderful. I feel very safe driving my family in it. The gas mileage is terrible, but the car itself makes up. Hopefully the gas prices will come down SOON. Love it.

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  new age family truckster - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By big rebel - April 3 - 4:50 pm

  sad to say, converted Jeep owner. the Germans have taken over at Chrysler! We needed a real 4x4 which could handle growing family and many roadtrips to our VT vacation home. We looked at everything in the segment (pilot, highlander, jeeps, fords, GMCs etc). The Pathfinder is excellent: spacious, yet quite stable on the highway; Great handling in the snow and VT mud (jeep like characteristics, which impressed us all); and just well thought out inside - quite practicle. One can actually use the third row! One can actually use the fold down passenger seat as a changing table! And it can still get out of its own way on the highway at 80mph

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  Fantastic - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By JOSEPH - April 3 - 11:30 am

  More comfortable than yaris and honda fit. Another great car from nissan

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  2015 in shop again!!! - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Tim - April 3 - 2:37 am

  My 2015 Altima is in the shop for the 5th time for the same reason since I bought it. The 4th time I had it in for a recall fix for the same problem and yet it is in the shop for a 5th time.

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  Maybe I got a lemon? - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By Bob Snodgrass - April 2 - 9:26 pm

  I bought this car used from a dealer with only 40,000 miles on it. It ran great for about a year, up until about 60,000. Then we had some major mechanical problems - things you would not expect to go wrong so soon. The first thing was the air conditioning went out - cost $2400 to replace. Then something weird went wrong with the instrument panel that caused the cruise control to fail - another 600.00. Now the intake manifold gasket is gone (a problem these vehicles have) and the car idles poorly. Were tired of soaking money into this car- Our other Altima (a 96) was reliable which is why we bought this one. Were going back to Toyota.

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  Excellent Buy! - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Melissa - April 2 - 1:50 pm

  I love this SUV. I was so scared to buy an SUV, because I was afraid I would have trouble parking, etc. But this is so easy and I dont even slide to the side of the seat when I make a turn (leather seats). In my husbands car, I practically get thrown off the seat! Great reliability, Easy to get the kids in and out, and great comfort too!

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  221,000 miles 2004 Nissan Murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By LTR - April 2 - 10:07 am

  I purchased my car in 2006 from dealer? Great car at first until 100k miles Oil pan leak Replaced o-ring and seal twice Plastic tabs kept coming out from underneath car Tires didnt last long After 150k CV joint and axle rods replaced Back right window sticks intermittently ABS light stays on After 200k miles, everything was going Front drivers seat bracket broke, causing seat to slant. Had it welded and seat put back, power seat mechanism slips slightly Replaced radiator Replaced power steering parts Now, the car is hard pressed to go over 40mph uphill. When going over 50, drives smoothly, but unsure what the cause is...catalytic converter, fuel pump, fuel injectors, or spark plugs. All of which is costly because of the placement of parts under the engine. It has been a great car but would recommend selling around 100k miles Parts are expensive!

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  No storage room, no pick up - 2016 Nissan Versa
  By DWS - April 2 - 9:11 am

  Ive been renting this car for three weeks. Horrible design. No storage, no pick up, engine sluggish. Nice controls, seats are comfortable. I would not buy this car. Cant wait to get my Camry back.