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 Reliable Car - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By JimDee - March 22 - 6:33 am

  I bought this car used with 43000 miles. Almost 8 years later and at 143000, the car still runs great. Has always started up. It has only required basic maintenance (oil changes, tires, brakes, lights). It is a stick and gets 30mpg in town, 35 mpg highway. Im so satisfied with this vehicle, Im looking to get another Altima.

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  Weve had more bad times than good - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By jpease3984 - March 22 - 5:13 am

  We bought this car brand new. In three years we have replaced 6 tires, and we buy good quality tires. The car needs an alignment more often than normal. We had to replace the fuel pump (the car just died on the middle of a busy highway). Now we are replacing the entire muffler system because it has rotted. We have done routine tune ups, oil changes, and have taken good car of this car. The power windows dont work in cold weather, they go down but dont go back up. Overall we give this car a 2/5 stars. It does hail alot of stuff which we like and gets good gas milage.

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  Best car Ive had! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Lori schneider schneidee - March 22 - 3:19 am

  Im getting another one. Its been perfect for me! Only your normal wear and tear repairs with over 140,000 miles. Great power and comfort ability. Best option by far is the heated steering wheel up here in the cold northern mornings.

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  A fool and his money - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By a fool and his money - March 21 - 8:33 pm

  Center display showing how fast you are going and odometer reading failed after three days purchase, (tuned white) no data could be read, display cluster on backorder for over a week no date on when we will getting a new part. First tank of gas not used, the dealer has had the SUV longer for repair then we had it to drive it. UPDATE WEEK 2 has passed still no date on when the replacement display cluster will be here. They say (Nissan) is making a new display cluster when they get it done, will take another 5 days for the Model company to have it loaded with our ROGUES, VIN # and mileage only 85 miles. Then it will need to be installed by the dealer. UPDATE WEEK 3 has passed still no date on when the replacement display cluster will be here. They say they sent the display to the Model company but they do not know where it is no tracking number, right. Next week the state LEMON car LAW ( 30 days ) will start so this will be ending some how next week. Called consumers affairs at Nissan the person assigned to the problem is to busy to call us back they must have a lot of people with Nissan car problems to fix. UPDATE WEEK 6 has passed still no date on when the replacement display cluster will be here. The part department said the a new display would be them to install in our SUV ROGUES 3/13/2017 BUT NEVER CAME and surprise no PART and NO FEDEX tracking number for part at wits end.

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  first sentra - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By cams - March 21 - 6:30 pm

  Ive had bad experiences with cars, and so far this is a winner. I love the way it handles, except they need to make the body a little heavier(those windy days watch out) im all over the road. The audio is good for manufactured speakers.

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  Ahhh... love! - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Kia - March 21 - 1:53 am

  I absolutely love my truck! It drives smoothly, quietly has lots of power, and looks awesome, too!

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  Happy Pathfinder - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Happy Pathfinder - March 20 - 10:03 pm

  I just bought my Pathfinder. Had been Looking for a used SUV that was a good deal. Found this w/ 58,000 local, verified miles. Handles great! Runs well! Gas mileage could be better. Driver legroom could be better. Wish I could have gotten a different color. (its black) Feel like I got a great deal. I think it will last me for the next 5 years and help keep the car payments away. Very happy so far.

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  Move over BMW! - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Greatone - March 20 - 9:13 pm

  I just leased a 2010 Maxima SV with the monitor and cold package. This car flies! I mean you put the petal to the metal and you get on the highway real quick. This is a car that will make others turn their heads. I also got the new color, crimson black, which looks very luxurious. I have had two previous versions of the Maxima, and this by far is the best.

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  I Love It - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By Chyo - March 20 - 2:30 pm

  I believe this is the best value for your money if youre looking for some performance. If youre looking for practicality, dont get this car. The trunk can be useless. If those are not an issue, get this car! The engine is fabulous and handles spectacularly. The ride is bearable enough for a long road trip, but the clutch is not to my liking (try it and you will see). Gas mileage can be good if sticking it in 6th gear (26 mpg is my best), and it can obviously drain your wallet fast if driven hard.

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  A good Rogue - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Robert - March 20 - 7:13 am

  My Rogue handles very well even in the wind. Acceleration is good, it rides very comfortably, the sound of the transmission was odd at the beginning but I dont notice it now. No problems getting around this past winter. Im very happy with the vehicle.