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:

• 

  The minivan of minivans! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mark N. - May 5 - 10:00 am

  If you willing to spend $26,000+ for a vehicle it is worth the time to analyse the competition so that an intelligent decision is made. Here is what I found out. GM: Minivans have only 185hp, poor styling, seats dont fold into the floor also typical reliability problems, such as fuel pumps and warped rotors. Ford: Overpriced, bland styling, again fuel pump and transmission issues. Mazda: too small. Dodge: Love the seats but factory recalls too numerous to count (like 13-15). Honda: nationwide recall for major transmission problems. Toyota: too many packages and the price is too high, conserative styling. Nissan has it all, fold away seating, 240hp

• 

  Solid like a rock - 214K miles! - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By Mike - May 4 - 9:40 pm

  I just hit 214 thousand miles on my 2001 Nissan Altima GXE Limited Edition. I purchased the car as a certified used vehicle with around 35 thousand miles. The only major problem I had was the fried intake manifold gasket at about 60K miles which was replaced under warranty. Transmission still shifts smoothly, you can hardly hear the engine run. I believe in religious maintenance and synthetic fluids - commuting daily from Pennsylvania to North Jersey, sitting in traffic jams on I-80 and trying to avoid the potholes are but everyday occurrences for my Altima. Whats original on the car? Every single thing including the engine, transmission, battery and suspension. Not a single problem!

• 

  Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By KYACE - May 4 - 12:00 am

  Just an awesome truck, great power, great looks and towing. I had this thing in deep mud up to bottom of doors while hauling a bobcat, never even slowed down.

• 

  Homerun - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By doodoobrown - May 3 - 12:54 am

  Ive always loved the pathfinders since seeing the first one back in the late 80s. my wife and i needed an suv but without the nightmares we had when we owned a jeep. We purchased a 2003 SE with 54K on it. As of today 5/25/11, it has 124,000 miles on it. Gas mileage SUCKS. id be lucky to get 17mpg mixed overall, but the vehicle weights over 5000 lbs. Aside form routine maintenance, and a few ware/tare part replacements, the vehicle has been a sound performer. Its not big, but its comfortable to drive. Its been through hell and back the past 4 years, but it keeps on ticking.

• 

  Hangin in there! - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By Grammarye - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Paid $4k for my 95 200SX SE, w/130kmi on it...was freaking out the night I drove it home over pot-holey roads due to the squeaking and clunking...but as days went by and I got my CD player in there and my mechanic assured me it was fine, I slowly got used to it. It now has 150kmi on it, and Ive replaced the clutch, the front struts/shocks, and am now looking at replacing the left front axle and the rear struts, etc. However, if I cant find something I like the feel of better (Im really surprised cause it shifts poorly and the seats totally uncomfortable), Ill just keep putting $ into it until it dies!

• 

  130K miles NOTHING NEEDED - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By BrianV - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Yup, 130K and I havent needed anything. I bought the car from a used dealer and it was pretty thrashed. Car had been burglarized, and who know about the previous owner. Car still had no problems at 130K (I bought it at 100K). Awesome car with an awesome engine. Most reliable car on the face of the planet. There is nothing that ever needs to be fixed, nor is there any preventative maintence. My friend has one with 260K miles and all he had to do was have the automatic transmission rebuilt, and he redlines all day long.

• 

  Very useful truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By MMModem - May 2 - 2:00 am

  This truck is amazing. It does everything you ask it to do and more. Sure it could use a little more power but nothing is perfect. Ride quality is extremely smooth and quiet. Interior design is almost perfect. Plenty of space and high quality materials. I dont know what they are saying about the backseats, but they seem plenty roomy to me.

• 

  The old max aint what she used to be - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Phose - May 2 - 12:13 am

  Looks nice, handles solidly, build quality not bad, the interior is really nice. I have the SE with the leather. However, I have not been pleased with this car after having another Maxima for 10 years. I have experienced a number of electrical problems! I would not buy one in this year range!

• 

  Another great Altima! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Big Ben - April 30 - 7:46 am

  This is my 3rd Nissan Altima 3.5SE and I have loved each of them. My other 2 were both 2002 models with the 5 speed manual. This one is the CVT and doesnt have the same throttle "GO" feeling although it packs 30 more HP. The interior is a HUGE upgrade and is more refined. I LOVE the bluetooth feature and the heated leather seats. The BOSE stereo is better than the previous models. This sedan is still a sports sedan, but doesnt look at good and isnt as fun the drive as the 5 speed models. Overall I love this car!

• 

  Good starter car! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By AltimaMan - April 29 - 6:16 pm

  Ive owned this car for almost 2 years and have made some minor upgrades to it. Overall it is a good car, wish it had a little more power in the low end. Very stylish looking, great stereo system, and a smooth ride.