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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  Good mid-level sedan - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Bigsackomeat - November 21 - 3:43 pm

  Quick enough with the 2.5L 4cyl that I chose it over the V6. While the CVT takes some acclimation, I am now completely comfy with it; careful throttle application lets you accelerate to 45-50mph within traffic, never exceeding 1500 rpm. Excellent mileage. The gadgetry all works as advertised: bluetooth connection, very useful voice controls, etc., as well as the "magic key". Brakes are strong enough, but I havent tested them all the way to fade. I do wish for slightly larger diameter wheels (would smooth the ride some more), and a bit more confidence stuffing the nose into a high-speed turn, but the overall handling/ride/comfort still beats the 2010 model contenders in the 4 cyl sedan class.

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  Improvement - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By grace - November 21 - 7:26 am

  This car does not perform well in the rain. My brakes were squeaking after 5 minutes in the rain. This car needs ABS brakes. I am somewhat disappointed. The commercial said buy Nissan, built tough. I had a Pontiac Sunfire, it performed very good in the rain. The only reason why I bought this car is my car was wrecked. The under side is too low, it drags on some drive ways. Some time I think the transmission is dragging. For the price it should have HD radio

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  Great SUV for the money - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Steve-O - November 21 - 4:30 am

  This is our second Pathfinder (first one just wrecked) and it wont be our last. An SUV that gets 20 mpg is great in my book, overall great quality, I wish those little rubber seals between the fender flares and body wouldnt discolor, but hey, if thats all there is to complain about who cares. If youre gonna buy one, splurge!! Get the loaded SE leather, sunroof, heated seats, and the extra side and curtain airbags.

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  murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By 2w - November 19 - 2:13 pm

  fine vehicle drives like a dream great sound and creature comfort love it so far less than 1 week mine

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  Gas mileage is good - 1997 Nissan Sentra
  By clb891 - November 19 - 7:28 am

  i have the AT..bought this car used from some man whose daughter hit a deer in it(driver side headlight area). i got it fixed for a good price. It has 250k miles but it runs GREAT. Good car for someone living on a tight budget(im a college Kid) i use it to go back and forth to school mostly and gas mileage is still good. i can go almost 2wks on a full tank. with only a little hp and torque, it really knows how to use it even at 65+ it still goes strong(better than my friends 08 civic). i am 510 so room is an issue especially when riding people in the back.

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  Love it!! - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Linda - November 19 - 4:26 am

  We test drove the Versa,Cobalt, Caliber, Yaris, Elantra, M3, and the Saturn equivalent. Versa drove the best but was just a tad too small. Then I said, lets try the Sentra! WOW! I knew right away that was the car. Great pickup, GREAT MPG (32 overall, sometimes 37 on the highway). Last weekend was the real test - we got a 9X12 carpet in and closed the trunk! Love those fold down seats!

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  My first car :-) - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By nikitos - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Very comfortable. Didnt had any major problems. Had to replace AC compressor (car was from Texas). Just replaced all struts/shocks/tires and much more miles per gallon. I put on it 60000 miles in 3 years (103000 odo reading now). Regularly changing oils. Timeing belt at 90000 (i suggest earlier!! My friends Izusu Trooper engine died because of timing belt). It is a great car! Good lookin. Did a little off roading and digs itself out of snow easily. Holds the road at 90mph like a car (max 110mph, a little scarry).

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  Not the Best Car in the World - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Scott15 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  This 01 GXE was my first new car. Problem is, now Im having lots of little problems w/it. First off, the rear shocks bottom out over speed bumps. I took it in under warrenty and they played stupid like nothing was wrong. Then the CD player quit working. It just gives me an error msg. The steering wheel radio controls only work when its hot outside.

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  very nice - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By tony04 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  very nice car, it rides good and even handles good.

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  Nice Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By gbeckerboy - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Just bought this truck. Looked at all of them before buying this one. Even looked at Yukons, Pilots, and Escapes. Plenty of room for everyone in the cab. Very responsive. Im sure it will burn the gas but I didnt buy it for the gas mileage.