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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  Great styling - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By mr weezul - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Great so far. Gas mileage not what is purported to be. Never thought I would be excited about driving a minivan, but I am. Parking assisst is a great feature.

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  review of xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By ssssssssss - May 22 - 2:00 am

  i really like the xterra. wanted to get one for several years, but always drug my feet. i have alot of fun driving it. the only thing i do not like about the xterra is that it is geared really low. other than that, i would not trade it in for anything else!!!

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  Had it 18 months and for around 10,000 miles - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By raaraa - May 21 - 2:10 pm

  This is my first car, bought it when I was in college in Arizona in 2010 for 3.5k with a 109k on it. My research said the car was worth it, and it has been so far. Had one minor issue with leaking water pump. But, the car is so easy to work on that I changed it myself and a few other things as well. Excellent performance in Arizona heat. Now the car is in Michigan, had it shipped here. Well worth it. Thermostat is giving me some trouble but she is resilient. It took her some time but she has adopted to the cold very well. The light wait does make it skid from time to time on ice, so watch out. But do not regret my decision not to buy a new car. This car has served me well and I love it!

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  Hmmmmm...lets wait and see - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By Vanmom - May 21 - 10:00 am

  Now that we are coming up on 30K I am surprised about all the little things we have had to deal with. The entertainment system has been replaced and looks like it will need it again. We have needed to replace 2 cup holders and other latches, etc. Also, I consistently get 15-18 mpg (that is worse than my 94 Plymouth Grand Voyager got!). For the $24,000 price tag, I have expected more. So, well wait and see. We havent had any trouble yet with engine, etc.

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  My little charcoal GXE - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By Hraefn - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I needed a car in a hurry when my eight-year old Mazda blew up, so I looked at everything available. I found a really great clearance deal on a 2000 GXE, compared power/ weight/price ratios with Mazda, Toyota, and Honda, and bought bought the Nissan. Once I got used to the someone wimpy 5-speed shifter, I fell in love with the car.

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  2002 Spec-v - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Red_Spec-v - May 21 - 10:00 am

  The new spec-v The only extremely bad point which makes me wish i didn`t buy the car My car has now 4965 miles on it and i and many other owners have numerouse paint chips on the front of our cars and even the roof nissan refuses to repaint the hood blaming the consumer for it`s poor paint quality , my car in peticular has bad paint a very well resoected autobody shop has tried to get a consistent reading on paint thickness and can find none so if you don`t mind your cars front,sides,roof having no paint \, however with the poor paint the car will have no resale value in my oppinion don`t buy the car i`m planning on selling mine

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  So Far, So Good - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By mcanny - May 20 - 5:03 pm

  Weve only had our Pathfinder a few weeks, but we like it. We did not experience the quality control problems you describe. It is a very comfortable highway vehicle, and actually gets close to its EPA figure of 23 mpg on the road. It also did well in a driving rainstorm on this trip. Plenty of power, and very smooth acceleration. Bose Sound system is great ! Seats would be great if front headrests didnt push your head so far forward of your body.

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  Good value for the money - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By ziggy1808 - May 20 - 7:22 am

  I bought my 2010 Versa SL Hatchback new in 2010. Options included the premium package and floor mats. The mileage rating on the window sticker indicated 28 city and 34 highway. In several 500 plus mile trips on interstate highways through the mountains of PA it did indeed get 34 mpgs, no more, no less. In city driving it has gotten close to 28 mpgs, sometime a little more, sometimes less. I have discovered that running the a/c or the defroster has a negative effect on gas mileage to the tune of 4 or 5 less miles per gallon in city driving. Very reliable, no issues.

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  Push Button Ignition System - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Nissan Altima - May 19 - 7:36 am

  I have owned a new 2009 Nissan Altima for a little less than 5 months. And I find the push-button ignition very unreliable. On three different occasions now, I just could not start the car. I took it into the dealer. I was told that they changed the codes.It doesnt happen often, but when it does, it is most aggravating. Tonight, I waited in the dark for the Auto Club after trying more than a half hour to start it. Finally, the push button ignition connected and I called the Auto Club to cancel service. I know that you have to push on the brake pedal to get it started and I have done this repeatedly without success. Is there a sure-fire way to start this car? Please tell me.

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  Cvt Problems Nissian says cannot correct. BEWARE - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By harryo3 - May 18 - 8:11 pm

  Great driving car. Handles well and is quiet inside EXCEPT for transmission noise at low rpms. Do not buy this car until Nissan gets the cvt problem corrected. My 2013 has been in shop 5 times in 5 months. Want to trade in but the cvt noise scares buyers away. Hard to believe Nissan cannot correct the problem or maybe they may think it will be to costly for them. The None return of nissan customers will be felt in future cars made by them.