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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  Sexy Car - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Ken Swanson - January 29 - 6:46 am

  Very nice winding out the gears after hitting 2nd gear. Hugs road nicely on turns. I disagree with the "take" that it is so hard to see out back, on the hard tops anyway. Shifts very quickly. Jumps from 65 to 120mph.

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  Best Truck - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Rafal Zep - January 28 - 7:26 pm

  Best Truck off and on road. Poor Hemi drivers have too smell my dust

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  Nissan hate is easy! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Nissan hate is easy - January 28 - 7:00 am

  I drove my Nissan to 50k it stopped running. Took it to dealer, fixed under recall then the real problems. But the damage had already happened! Started to over heat, burning oil. Burned up my catalytic converter, cylinder failed! Need a new engine! It has a lot of recalls on it! Im going to drive on 3 cylinders to have them done! Dont buy a Nissan! Ever!

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  This car turns heads... - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Danté D. - January 28 - 5:16 am

  I have an 04 Onxy Drivers preferred package SE. I love everything about it. I looked at an Audi, Lexus, Acura, etc. and this wins hands down. For the money its one of the best cars on the road. I see myself driving this car for many, many years. They could have put a little more thought into some of the cheap plastic parts in the interior but the performance and styling more than make up for it. Overall grade - A+.

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  Half the cost of aTacoma - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By bamagreg - January 28 - 2:00 am

  I moved to the country two years ago and had to have a small truck to drive on the 3 mile gravel road I live on and this is what I bought. I bought it at 100k mile and now it has 140k with no problems. I get 28 mpg going back and forth to work. What a great truck. Im glad I saved money when I looked at the Toyota Tacoma.

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  Best truck you will evr find - 1999 Nissan Frontier
  By shill83 - January 27 - 6:40 am

  There is no better truck in the world. This truck is running just as good as the day i bought it and shows no sign of wear. during the worst ice storm my area has ever seen last year the truck ran over every tree that blocked my way. after some drunk guy smashed into the side of it and hit the rear wheel dead on going 50mph the truck started right up and took me home. when i took it to be repaired, we found out the leaf springs had blown apart....and it still took me home. i love this truck and when this truck finally dies, if it ever does, i will buy another.

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  Great Car, Great Value - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By catnip63 - January 27 - 4:04 am

  Ive always been a Nissan Pathfinder fan, till now ( I hate the new body style) Ive owned my 2003 for 5 years now. I live in Utah and its the best 4 wheel drive Ive owned. Ive had a 1989, 1990, 1997 pathfinders and now the 2003. I have never had it strand me or had any expensive repairs. I do all the recommended maintenances though. The gas mileage would be my only "con" but I wouldnt trade better gas mileage for the power it has. I do love the power and control this car provides. I think for the money this is a solid, reliable, well built car. I see lots of 2003 Nissan Pathfinders with over 200,000 miles. I think that says a lot.

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  This is an AWESOME CAR - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Rich270 - January 27 - 1:23 am

  The 2005 Nissan Altima has to be one of the best cars I have ever driven. With the cost of fuel these days, the efficient 2.5L engine is easy on the wallet but doesnt sacrifice performance even with the air conditioner on. Thoughtfulness is everywhere in this car - from the sunglasses holder, on the wheel audio controls - even down to the two cupholders. Stylish, comfort and combined fuel economy sets the Nissan Altima above all the rest in its competition.

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  Good & Bad - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By malloryexoh - January 26 - 9:40 am

  This car has been fun overall, I have had some problems with it though. It is very high maintenance. I have had to replace the stereo once. The lights from the info kept fading in and out. Now, my second stereo is doing the same thing. My lease is up in a couple weeks, so Im not going to bother replacing it. It also seemed like every time I turned around, I was having to get my oil changed. And the tires absolutely awful. They are almost completely bald right now. The take off is a little slow at first from a red light. It takes a while to get its speed, then when you accelerate after gaining speed, it takes off like lightning. I know its only a 4 cyl, still. Fun first car though!

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  VERY GOOD CAR - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By johnnyboy11 - January 26 - 5:15 am

  I love this car. I bought it 2 years ago from the dealership and it had 78,000 miles on it. I have had only one problem out of this car and that was the master window switch. I have kept my oil changed as well as all the other maintenance such as flushing out the radiator and the tranny. this car dont have the get up and go from a dead stop but once i get to around 50 mph, it will take off. i get anywhere from 33mpg to 38mpg in city depending on how i drive and have got 43 on the hwy. this car is going on 114,000 miles and is still running like a new one. i love this thing. i hit a ditch pretty hard and only broke a hub cap. is a very reliable small sedan. could not have done any better.