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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  Great 4wd Beach Vehicle - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Tony - January 7 - 4:06 pm

  Just an fyi for any interested. I have been driving on the Outer Banks Beaches for almost 20 years. My Xterra is as good a beach vehicle as you can ask for. Avon, Buxton, Oregon Inlet, it will go... NO PROBLEM. 20 lbs of air in those 265/60/16s and this vehicle is great on the beach.

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  A true drivers sports car - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By Juancito Gario - January 7 - 11:16 am

  This vehicle is the best bang for the buck when it comes to style and performance. I always get thumbs up when I drive through towns or cities. The body style just exhumes class and sportiness and the performance and the car is on par or surpasses vehicles in its price range.

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  Xterra Rocks - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Signs - January 7 - 9:40 am

  I wanted tough style (didnt want people to confuse it with a family car), storage space (for weekend get- aways), dependability, and the feel of fun when driving anywhere. I got all four. My SE trim Super Black Xterra is still to me the best looking SUV around, with its brash and bold look and its shine when the Super black color is waxed, along with the tall charcoal wheels and rugged tires with the raised white letters. It drives like a Truck, which suits this TEXAN just fine.

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  surprise - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By memphis dude - January 7 - 6:53 am

  Although maybe not though of as a true performance car this nissan spev v has surprised me at every turn of the key. The suspension is taut and firm but never complains.. shove it into a corner and it performs. The lowered stance and stylin wheels give the car an edgy but not too over the top look while the details once you notice them are very satisfying. I love that it has plenty of power on tap and that it has plenty of room inside for my big frame. The instruments are big and easy to read and electronics are easy to use. Premium fuel is high nowadays but so is filling up a larger car with regular. I think the interior of this car is superior to larger more expensive cars.

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  Bye bye Accord - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Texas Greg - January 6 - 7:06 pm

  Traded in my anemic 95 Accord EX (2nd one) for some serious fun. I am not disappointed so far (only had it 4 days). Handling is excellent and has ample power which I havent fully tapped yet so stay tuned. Very supportive seats and quality interior design. Rockford sound system is worth every penny.

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  First Nissan and loving it - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By BULLET8888 - January 6 - 8:56 am

  I did a lot of research on vechicles this size and am very pleased with this automobile. Not a lot I would change about it.

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  Love my Car - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By bimartin - January 6 - 4:00 am

  I like the color and style of my car. People compliment me on it and ask what make it is. It is very roomy inside with a big trunk and great storage places - even for sunglasses. I have had Nissans for 12 years with no problems.

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  Horrible mistake - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By duhawk05 - January 6 - 3:06 am

  I bought this car after my very reliable Buick Skylark bit the dust. Id owned an old Honda Accord (1990) before and thought Id return to a Japanese sedan after growing up in Datsuns. A Datsun, this aint... Instead, it was a horrible mistake. In the span of 1 year (2009), I put front brakes/rotors, exhaust/muffler, an intake manifold gasket (INCREDIBLY expensive repair for a $10 gasket-- $750), a battery, and an oil pan gasket and oil sender unit. I literally poured over $2500 into this car, and thats without my boyfriend helping me out, as he sells parts for GM and could do some of the repairs independently.

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  2001 Altima SE with all the wistles - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By zheka78 - January 6 - 2:43 am

  I have 32000 miles on the car. Engine is powerfull. I usually cruise on highways at 80-85 miles an hour, and there is never a problem to accelerate higher. Suspension is stiff and well balanced. Joy to drive on the twisty roads. Sound system is great, 6 disks in dash is a pure pleasure. Seats (I have leather) are very comfortable. Lumbar support is useless - it is located too low and rubs agains your butt. I love the car and hope to keep it for a long while.

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  One year old and still strong - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Adam - January 5 - 8:56 am

  I have had the truck for a little over a year and am still enjoying every drive. I was able to get the hitch and tool box included at $1000 less than MSRP. The optional tool box works great for me as a construction worker, and it blends in with the style of the truck. The front seats have plenty of room and are reasonably comfortable for longer trips. The rear seats can be a little tight when the front seats are all the way back. Overall, the truck is excellent, and I am glad I didnt choose the Tacoma or Dakota instead.