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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  Awesome vehicle! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Bill - November 10 - 11:06 pm

  We have had this vehicle for almost three years. It has run like a champ since day one. It is roomy, luxurious and highly functional. Do not use third row seat often but its very handy when you want it, and truly folds flat. Some complain about roominess of third row and it is only good for kids. Well it has four more inches of leg room than the 4Runner and who do you think rides back there anyway? You can take the grandparents and not have to take two cars.

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  A Blast to drive - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By Alex - November 10 - 2:06 pm

  The get up and go of the VQ37 engine is amazing, it oozes power. Very flat torque curve, keeps pulling harder as you shift. The car bleeds sex appeal, no matter who pulls up alongside you, heads are turning, men and women alike. By far one of the best looking sports cars out, especially for the money.

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  Fuel Gauge - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Ron - November 10 - 10:13 am

  Great car, BUT, it has a 21 gallon fuel tank and after the little yellow fuel light goes on and the gauge reads dead "E" it only takes 14 gallons of gas... It is still 1/3rd full and Nissan says thats normal. I spend a lot of un-needed time in the gas station when I know I can drive another 100 miles before I run out of gas. VERY ANNOYING! Also the interior blower motor makes a high-pitched ticking noise on low speeds. You can here it over the wonderful Bose sound system. I find myself heating up the car and then turning off the fan to enjoy the music. Nissan says thatÂ’s normal also. I wish I could see the artist and song on the XM radio also. Fuel economy stinks. Im getting avg. 15 mpg.

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  nice, but not as good as a trail blazer - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By getting better - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought my son a pathfinder a few months ago, because he was set on it, and would not even look at anything else. It is a nice suv, and i like what they have done with the engine, but it does not measure up to trail blazer i bought for me. i have not ever been a chevy fan, but the TB runs circles around his pathfinder. it has more power, room, stnd. features, better build quality, rear a/c, and costs less. i would recommend test driving both before deciding.

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  A smart choice for smart people - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Williams Young - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Pls dont laugh at me but this IS my 3ed Maxima. The car is like many reviews mentioned, reliable, powerful, roomy and all that. Whats better is it also costs thousands less than any entry-level luxury cars out there. So if you are the kind of guy who always relentlessly pursue the perfect cost/effect ratio, this is the car for you.

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  Very Happy ! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By timevy - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car in November and have put about 8000 miles on so far, including a 2000 mile trip. I fell in love with the styling at first site and ended up getting an SL with most options. I have no complaints and I get unsolicited compliments about the car from complete strangers almost every week. This model is not a sports car, and does not perform like one, but even the 2.5 is more than adequate for me. I love it !

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  xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By nickker - November 10 - 6:46 am

  most dependable, comfy and fun to drive vehicle i ever owned...just wish it had a bigger fuel tank and better mileage...i admit it is the supercharged version and love to kick it at red lights but the overall economy is low to say the least....dont expect more than 13mpg city or highway....

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  Much better than I expected - 2012 Nissan Maxima
  By ffabric - November 9 - 10:37 pm

  We bought our car 6/3/14 rebuilt title with 7000 miles on it. Its Black Rose with Tan Interior. We paid $15,000.00 for it and Of course we were a bit timid trusting the car at first. We have had it a year now,,, and have put 7,500 miles on it and its been a joy to drive. We average 26 mpg (On regular gas), which is guess is good,,, Heck its got almost 300HP and its quick,, agile and comfortable. The radio system is outstanding,,, the leather seats are first class,,, all the appointments are great. The weak point is the Heater/Air Condition ETC. Folks,,,, this car is fun to drive, and its handles like a sports car. Glad we bought it..........

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  2000 Nissan Desert Runner - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By 2000 Nissan Frontier - November 9 - 9:16 pm

  Bought this truck used in 2001, it had 36,000 on it. Paid $10,500. Its been a great truck very reliable I currently have 165,000 miles on it and runs great. Fuel economy not so good 17-18 mpg. Tires last a long time with no alignment needed, just rotate and balance. Ive used Amsoil Synthetics in it for years and change the oil every 15,000 miles. I use it as a service truck in my business and its been a good work horse.

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  Best Large SUV IMO - 2007 Nissan Armada
  By shawn - November 9 - 4:50 pm

  I have driven 40k miles thus far and owned for 3 years along with owning just about every other large SUV on the market at some point in the 2004- 2008 range and still pleased with the armada. It it a power house, nimble for such a tank and is easy to run 85 on trips with feeling very secure. The only issues I have had is the brakes that only seem to last me about 7k miles before they start warping and I drive 90 percent highway with no towing. Oh, forgot to mention that when you do tow, what a powerhouse. My family loves this truck and we are considering a second one for my wife even though the gas mileage is about 13.9 MAX for highway, its worth it!