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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  The Nissan 350Z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Rich Borek - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Basically the Nissan 350z is a second car. It is just used for pleasure driving and I dont drive it daily. I never had any problems with the car and it is comfortable on longer trips.

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  one of the best in the price range - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Jian - May 18 - 2:00 am

  I have one question to ask if anyone here knows it. When the air circulation button is on, the A/C button automatically comes on, then i try to turn the A/C off, but it automatically turns off the air circulation, so i can NOT have both AC OFF and air circulation ON, is it designed that way or any other way to have AC OFF with air circulation ON? Email me at emanym73@yahoo.com if you have comment. The car is definately outstanding among the competetors within the price range.

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  You get what you pay for - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By asnb3ar - May 17 - 11:23 am

  Pros: cheap car, roomy interior, pretty cute exterior. Cons: too many cupholders but nowhere to put change. My tire pressure light came on TWICE and Ive only owned the car for 1 year and half even though my car is well maintained (regularly serviced & 15k done). Really loud engine noise when you gas it to go uphill. Its not as gas efficient as I thought, since Im only getting about 27-28 mpg even when I first purchased the car. Also, something smells weird when I turn on the fan, and its been like that since I first bought the car.

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  Runs like a champ - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Abyss - May 17 - 10:06 am

  Up to 160k and running strong. Great acceleration and city handling. CD player is having some troubles. Speedometer sometimes does not work. Overall a fun and reliable sedan. Strongly considering upgrading to the Infinity g35 after owning this car.

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  Maxima Heaven - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By mojo - May 17 - 10:00 am

  My 1995 Nissan Maxima is the best car I have ever owned. I havent had a single problem with it since I bought it new in 1995. I am almost afraid to part with it and purchase a different dealer brand or even model. What more can i say. WOW thanks Nissan for such a GREAT car!

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  Forgot To Build In Quality - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Ken - May 17 - 6:40 am

  I was under the impression that Japanese cars were all well made, until owning this vehicle. We have made trip after trip after trip to the dealer getting things fixed. No fewer than 14 different things had broken in the first two years -- all of which were fixed by the dealer, because all were due to poor design and/or manufacturing. Beyond bad quality, my biggest issue is the front seats. They literally cause pain if you have to sit on them for more than a half hour. Compared to all the vehicles I have owned, these are by far the most uncomfortable seats.

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  New car review - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By asdaigle - May 16 - 2:53 pm

  Ive had the car a week now and have put 1200 miles on it. Its getting between 30 to 32 mpg with a regular auto trans. I think it will get more when I do my first oil change and switch to Mobil 1 synthetic. The car is quite roomy on the inside and more comfortable than a 2007 Corolla, which I had looked at and rented thru a car rental agency.

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  Super Charger Problems - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By abruzz - May 16 - 7:30 am

  Purchased suv in July of 2014. Two months later, I was driving I heard a pop and thought I had run over a metal band. As I continued to drive I noticed the suv was overheating. Called dealership and they had suv towed in. They also arranged a rental for me. Approximately 10 days later, I picked up suv. Was told super charger seized and they had to pull out engine to replace it. Then in January of 2015 same thing happened. SUV towed in and was given a rental. Approx 8 days later, I p/u SUV and told same exact problem. Now I am afraid to take long trips. I fear that super charger will seize again. Also noticed that Nissan no longer making the hybrid. I assume mine is a lemon.

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  Ezz review - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Ezz - May 16 - 3:00 am

  It is fantastic car,smooth transmission, great sound system

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  love this car - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By susanna - May 15 - 10:33 pm

  I have just purchased this Sentra SL and I just love it. My previous car was a V6 so I was a little concerned (actually a lot concerned) about going to a 4 cylinder. I was so surprised on the pick up of this car. The car is so quiet that I keep thinking the car has died at the traffic lights. The handling is great, the features are incredible for this price range and would recommend this car to anyone young or old. My teenager loves it she says this is going to be her first car.