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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  Gone Rogue! - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By Chris - February 23 - 3:56 am

  Shopped around for a long time looking for a vehicle to replace my 2009 Honda Fit which I loved. However, Im a big guy and I was getting tired of a small car. My daughter will get the Fit and I started looking at SUVs. I test drove the Escape, RAV4, CRV , HRV and the new Sportage. I tell you, I like them all but the Rogue, in my opinion, had the nicest interior and I always liked the exterior. The Ford was more sporty and higher tech, the Sportage was real nice too but it didnt even come with a spare tire and the mileage wasnt that good for this class. Can,t go wrong with any Honda product in my opinion but the HRV was a fit on steroids and I liked the Rogue feel better. The Toyota was more expensive for the similar trim level. We have a 2012 Nissan Quest van and its been great. So I opted for the Rogue since I got a good deal. Overall, Im very pleased. The reviews said that it did not have enough power but I find it more than adequate and Ive been averaging 30 mpg! The seats are a little firm but tolerable. The ride is nice and fairly quiet. The Fit had a great sounding stereo but Im pleased with the Rogues. I had a problem with the passenger side front door rattling which the dealer has addressed. I think the Rogue is a excellent value and I would recommend it without reservations.

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  Best value for your buck - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By ray - February 23 - 3:00 am

  After looking at the all new 2006 Kia Sedonna, and some of the other vans we decided to go with the Nissan Quest. I cant se why more people dont choose this van over the competition. We got a incredible deal on it and due to that we were able to go with the Special edition (love the power sliding door). This is the best looking van hands down for me. Doesnt have the same bland look of the others. At first I didnt care for the interior dash design, but after looking at the same dash on the competitors the uniqueness of it grew on me. Some of the car magazines bashed Nissan for poor grade dash materials. I find them of a higher quality that the dodge and kia.

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  Best Buy - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Scott - February 22 - 11:20 pm

  Just received my 2007 Altima a few days ago. The car is fun to drive and looks really sharp inside and out. Im surprised by the get up and go the 4 cylinders provide. Has a tight turn radius, great cruising, and handles corners very well. Its the Best Buy of its class.

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  More than just affordable, reliable transportation - 2016 Nissan Sentra
  By TR - February 22 - 1:15 pm

  I purchased my car as a family sedan to seat 4, sometimes 5. The best feature is the interior room and trunk space. The next best feature is fuel economy. Dont be afraid to get the 6 speed manual transmission. It is smooth as silk and allows you to baby the engine or squeeze some power out when you need to. I know the CVT autos claim to fame is better acceleration and economy but at what cost?? The CVT likes to rev the engine up pretty high even below 20 mph just to accelerate faster. I keep the rpms lower with the 6 speed. And by the way I get above the 35 mpg rated highway mileage cruising on the interstate. On a 400+ mile trip I averaged over 40 mpg at an average speed of 65 mph (traffic slowed me down some). In any event the Sentra 6 speed manual gives you a lot of bang for your buck in a reasonably roomy family sedan. Dont expect a lot of fancy electronics. Options and controls are basic but uncluttered and easy to operate.

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  My workhorse... - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JasonBourne - February 22 - 12:43 pm

  bought this truck used from the original owner, had 150K miles on it, since purchased now has 187K, and is still going strong!! Havent had one problem with it yet. Trudges along like a trooper!!

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  My Versa is nice, but... - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Ray - February 21 - 11:20 pm

  My Versa is nice but, the horsepower is really low. I think I notice it more at take off. The gas mileage is great. When gas is 2.069 per gallon it only cost twenty dollars to fill up. I do wish they would add two more gallons to the tank. The radio is nice but if you want loud its not gonna happen. The design is what sold me, the overall look is great.

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  Lacking Reliability-Quality? - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By jbennetsen - February 21 - 5:33 pm

  The 2004 Maurano in my opinion is one of the best looking vehicles on the road today.Its a real kick to drive because of its responsiveness. The issues that I have with this vehicle are from an overall engineering standpoint. They are... 1.Outside vented air is heated to 80 degrees because duct work was positioned too close to the engine. 2. When more than two adults are in the car, the suspension reacts as if there are no shock absorbers. With 24,000 mi., the idler pully shattered piercing the lower radiator hose. Next, the AWD transfer mechanisim failed breaking the housing and dumping all of its oil. The positive thing about the above two items is they were covered under warranty

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  Great Family Car - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By zeus08 - February 21 - 1:14 pm

  This car has everything that we wanted and needed for a family car. The best feature that this car comes with is the sliding rows. When you have children in a car seat is that the middle you are able to completely move it forward without having to take the carseat out. Also the leg room in the front passenger has with a carseat in back is awesome. We traded in my two year old Ford Explorer to the Pathfinder because of the lack of leg room and every time someone needed to sit in the third row we needed to take the carseat out.

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  the sentra that could. - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By joe - February 21 - 8:43 am

  I purchased this sentra se-r spec v thinking it was going to last forever! boy was i wrong, not only have i put a new tranny, but also a new motor,abs wheel sensor, cruise control ecu, and i am on my third catalitic converter! yea i said three! but now after all that i am afraid to open it up on the highway or eneywhere! I thouth spec v ment sport but mybe not! so now i have to baby it cause if i dont the catalitic converter might overheat and the insides might blow out again! posibly causing the motor to blow,like before, by the way did i metion this spec v is mostly built in MEXICO,just read the original window sticker that should explain everything! so buyers beware and good luck!!!!

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  I love this car - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By George - February 21 - 4:33 am

  This will make our 5th Max. We traded in a 97 bought new and there is no comparison. I thought the 97 was nice. WOW!!!!. The 05 is roomier, more power, excellant craftmanship and a real head turner. It is smokie gray color with light gray interior and when its in the sun it takes on a completely different color. Hats off to Nissan for this one. Look out Lexus, BMW, Acura and Volvo. Nissan has hit the market with a true winner. Would recommend this car to anyone who wants to buy one. Just take a test drive, it sells itself.