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:

• 

  Honda/Toyota fan gets converted by SpecV - 2009 Nissan Sentra
  By deadlytedly - January 23 - 6:56 am

  I have been a Honda and Toyota owner for all of my life, and enjoy a sporty little sedan. The base Sentra was not that. After testing out what I could get at my price point (both foreign and domestic), I felt I had made a decent decision, but really had *no* clue until she broke in. At 2000 miles, the engine opened up in a great way. The chirp as the intake gulps in fresh air welcomes a heavy pull of acceleration. The exhaust note deepened as well. Smooth pull across the curve meets an angry red line. The suspension the sportiest I have driven in a sedan. Power is put down easily and evenly. Wholly impressed, and am looking at the Altima Coupe for my next purchase. Strong A rating

• 

  wheres the fuel economy? - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By LINDA - January 23 - 2:26 am

  I like almost everything about this car. Would have liked to have automatic door locks and headlights. gas mileage has been disappointing. Keeps dropping with every tank, Last tank under 26 mpg. Bluetooth doesnt work well.

• 

  Awesome!! - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By kolzilla - January 23 - 2:26 am

  I just recently bought my Nissan and Love it. Its so comfortable and handles the road like I was driving my Mustang. I wanted something a little bigger than what i had which was chev blazer and with a little more horsepower. Even tho I got a used car with low mileage its still a great purchase. I recommend this vehicle to anyone..

• 

  Love it!! - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Thunder - January 23 - 12:30 am

  Got my 06 4WD Xterra, basic "X" model a week ago. Im lovin it. Great power, great handling, great view from way up high. I can see why its the Motor trend SUV of the year. Nothing luxurious about it, but with all that Nissan packed in to this truck.. Mid $22K for a 4WD, 265 hp, auto + is as good of a deal as youre going to find. Ride is a bit bumpier than a standard sedan but it is a true off-road capable truck/suv after all.

• 

  Perfect College kid car - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Brian - January 22 - 1:06 pm

  I have only had it for a week, and already I am in love with it. I am a kind of guy who likes big SUVs, and the xterra is perfect. I am in college and for a college kid to own a 2007 Nissan xterra is just too cool. I am use to driving an 11 year old Ford Explorer, the xterra drives like a dream compared to that. The xterra is big enough to fit all my stuff in it, and to fit 4 people and all their stuff comfortable, but not too big where it feels like I am driving a tank. Its safety rating is awesome, all xterra models 2005 or later have good or excellent ratings in all categories. Its surprisingly easy to drive, the stirring is awesome, and it breaks very well for a suv.

• 

  Verdict still out - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By verdict still out - January 21 - 6:20 pm

  4000 miles. Truck runs great. Noises coming from rear bed or axle when turning left. Gas mileage is less than competition. Smooth and quiet ride. Verdict is still out!

• 

  CVT in 2012 Nissan Sentra (Texas) - 2012 Nissan Sentra
  By John Winters - January 21 - 8:35 am

  I have a 2012 Nissan Sentra, n the transmission went out @ 74K miles. I know face a $3500 cost for a vehicle with a fair market value of $7K. Then, after a repair, the warranty is only for 12 mos., 12K miles. Nissan is well, well aware of this inferior product. The AC has also gone out.

• 

  Nissan disappointing FAST - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By tmac4718 - January 21 - 6:53 am

  I now have 14,000 miles on my maxima SV premium edition and I have to say I wont buy another nissan product. I have had a bad rattle in the car since day one, headliner above the back seat(they made it little better recently). Front hood rubber seal keeps popping out of its space. A creaking dash/windshield area?The car went into a lockup mode last week and had to be towed to the dealer and the whole computer system rebooted. Now I have two more rattles in upper dash and climate control area. I have only owned 2 nissans, altima before which I loved, now maxima. Thats a bad satisfaction ratio. Owned plenty of toyotas and honda products with no rattles or issues above 100k miles.

• 

  What a great car! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By My red versa - January 21 - 1:43 am

  I just got this car last week, and I love it. I had a van and was worried that it would be hard to adjust to a smaller vehicle, but it wasnt. The Versa has a lot of head room and driver and passengers sit up fairly high. There is a lot of room in this little car. And I love the way it looks. It drives nicely and has a lot of pep, too. I havent had it long enough to check if the mileage is as advertised, but Im sure itll be better than the van.

• 

  Good So Far - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Surfcaster - January 20 - 1:03 pm

  Ive had this vehicle for over three years now. Love the power, handling, 20mpg with standard trans, great off road. Many have had premature clutch wear so I would not buy another stick. Most of the parts for this vehicle including engine is not Japan. Wish honda made old school suv, but for now xterra seems to give best bang for buck. 4runner much more expensive, and most of their parts are also not Japan.