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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  Dont do the recall - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Junior - January 14 - 1:50 am

  We were satisfied with our vehicle until we had a transmission recall performed. The week of thanksgiving, drove from SE Ok to Atl., Ga. averaged 27-32 mpg. After returning home, took to local Nissan dealer for the recall, returned to Atl. the very next day, average mileage was 20-24 mpg. They call me a liar said it is impossible They lie

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  Best Truck Ive Ever Owned - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By MidHudsonMark - January 14 - 12:30 am

  I just replaced the front brake pads - at 50,171 miles. Rear pads still have 85% of meat on em. Only thing replaced under warranty was an air bag sensor; other than that, it looks and drives like it just left the showroom. I will keep this truck until it has at least 200000 miles on it, because I think it will still rock even then.

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  like my truck :) - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Ashley - January 13 - 10:13 pm

  just got the truck so havnt had any mechanical problems obviously, so this is basically a 1st impression. the interior seems to be pretty cheap, but its VERY comfortable, more so even than the sedan i drove before. the turning radius is amazing for the size of the vehicle, i can get it into anywhere! it is a little slow to start but when you put it in overdrive its much better, very smooth on the highway. I LOVE the way it looks too. PERFECT truck for a girl who needs one, but wants to be able to see over the dash! its just the right size for me.

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  Pathfinder Pride - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ncraskal - January 13 - 6:36 pm

  Bought this SUV after exhaustive reviews of Pilot, MDX, 4Runner, Tahoe. Narrowed down to 4Runner and Pathfinder - the Nissan won-out with rear air, styling and performance on/off road.This is my 2nd Pathfinder - had a 96 SE that I loved. The 05 goes back to the truck platform but the independent suspension improves rideability. Fuel consumption - I am averaging 18.6 per my SUVs computer, and about 19.3 per my calculations. Getting ready for vacation trip to OBX in fall, so will see what loaded vehicle gets for highway mileage. Runs best on hi-test, but its the price I pay for performance.

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  3 weeks with a Rogue - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By David - January 13 - 3:06 pm

  Very nice vehicle for the money. Amazingly fun to drive. Handles extremely well. Best car on snow and ice I have ever driven. Two minor shortcomings: no light directly over cargo area, and no rub stripe to prevent door dings. Also, mileage is slightly less than I had hoped for. Otherwise I love this vehicle.

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  awesome vehicle - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By alarms21 - January 12 - 11:23 pm

  Recently purchased murano SL AWD This Suv is so much fun to drive. The ride is so quiet. Wish they had included memory seats, for this sl model.I have premium pkg, tech pkg, Leather, and dvd Player. I previously drove a Acura Tl 06 . I wonder if they have an after market for memory seats.

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  The best sports car for its value - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By flipflop214 - January 12 - 10:16 pm

  Before buying the Z I test drove the Honda S2K, Mazda RX8, and the BMW Z4. By comparison to all of these cars the 350Z really stood out. The acceleration and torque is much more noticeable than its rivals. The throaty exhaust sounds awesome! There are tons of modifications that you could do to this car! I upgraded the pulleys, exhaust system, intake and wheels (roughly estimating about 5k all together with labor) and this 350Z is ready to compete with the German cars that are twice as expensive! Just get the base model and tune it up to your liking! I love this car even if my wife is asking me to get rid of it to get a German sports sedan! LOL.. NEVER!

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  2009 Titan SE - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By tb - January 12 - 7:06 pm

  I purchases this truck to replace my 2005 titan that I leased. I personally liked the 05 much better. Some of the flashy features have been removed like the chrome mirror covers. The SE truck should come with fog lights. It also seems the suspension is a little different as the ride in the 09 seems to be bumpier.

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  Good SUV to move up to from Xterra - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By flith - January 12 - 10:43 am

  Excellent SUV to replace Xterra if its to small. We traded in our Xterra for a bigger family car. The Pathfinder goes everywhere the Xterra did, soft sandy beaches, muddy trails, rocky / snow covered mountain roads.

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  Traded up from Toyota Tacoma - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By Bill - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Just traded in my 2007 Toyota Tacoma for a new Nissan Frontier LE Crew Cab. I had to have more comfort than the Toyota seats would give me. I really hate that Toyota didnt offer a upgrade leather power seats in the Tacoma because I did generally like the truck. But since getting my new Nissan, I have never looked back. Its a wonderful truck and a wonderful ride with the LE Value truck package of goodies. fully adjustable Leather heated seats, Steering wheel stalk tilts down for real comfort. Have already put 1500 miles on it and find that the gas mileage on a long trip runs 20+/- mpg. Im not sorry that I switched trucks. Nissan makes a great product and its also made in the South