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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  So Far So Great! (Contd) - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By grampa - October 30 - 7:30 am

  Update from previous (1/6/10) review:Now have over 5000 miles on our Altima, including road trips (1000+miles). Still totally in love with the car! Gorgeous looking inside and out; handles great; mileage as advertised or better: high 20s in town; low-to-mid 30s hwy.(65-70 MPH, no AC) according to dashboard indicator, which I hope is correct.

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  Love My Altima! - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Christine - October 30 - 5:06 am

  This is the best car Ive ever had. The ocean gray is beautiful (so many people have commented on it). It is reliable, dependable, and super stylish. It also gets great gas mileage (I never have to fill my tank) :)

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  Its a real work truck - 2013 Nissan Frontier
  By heiliner - October 29 - 10:52 pm

  I just purchased my 4th Nissan Frontier. I traded in a Nissan D21 that I had for 25 years. My 2013 is a 4 cylinder, 5 speed, S model King Cab. It was priced about $3000 below a similar Toyota Tacoma. The truck has crank windows, no power locks, and no Bluetooth. The first tank of gas I got almost 28 mpg in city and rural driving. On the second tank full I got 25 mpg. The secret is to shift around 2200 rpm. The truck is clunky and dated and simple transportation. For every 100 miles I drive this Frontier I save about $8 over the Tundra parked next to it in fuel costs.

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  Fuel Economy Exactly as Expected - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Barton P - October 29 - 10:00 pm

  We are a family of three and selected the Murano because it; has a reliable powertrain, nice styling, no third row seat (we didnt need one), good safety features and good fuel economy for its size and weight. This vehicle has performed well, no serious mechanical issues. There were a couple of recalls for seat belt issues and the addition of fuel tank safety shields. Some complain that MPGs are too low. I think economy is great for the size of the vehicle. We get 20-21 MPG city and about 23-24 highway. This is exactly what the EPA sticker says we should get. At speeds above about 70 MPH weve found fuel economy degrades rapidly.

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  Excellent all around sports car - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Shaun J. Himmelspach - October 29 - 4:33 am

  Wonderful all around vehicle. The 350 is extremely fun to drive with very predictable handling characteristics. A true sports car and a great value.

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  Love my cube!!! - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By Lida - October 29 - 4:26 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. I have had it for a few months and still have not found a single thing I dislike. I test drove nearly every vehicle in this class and am confident I made the right choice. The car is well built and designed extremely well. Everything has a very solid feel to it and reminds me more of driving my moms lexus than any of my friends cars. Drive this one after driving the Kia Soul or the Scion xB and you will never look back. The cube will offer you smooth pickup (the CVT is awesome!), great handling and suspension, and luxury at a fairly low price. I know I sound like an ad ... just go drive one!

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  Good for the money...just good - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By bigeandkenna - October 29 - 3:42 am

  I have a base model with cloth seats. Basically a rental car. But you would never know it from 10 feet away. Same good looks, same wheels, same growl from the exhaust. This car has great power and handling for $31G. Average 19MPG of premium. 27 on long trips. This car has long legs and you find yourself driving too fast. Interior quality has been disappointing. Rocking drivers seat- replaced once and still rocks and at 28K miles the interior rattles. The CVT drops the RPMs to early on slow driving and it groans. Steering column locked up and needed replacement. Back seat is hard to get in and out of for taller persons but ok once inside.

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  Nissan Frontier Forever - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Vicki Kemmerer - October 29 - 3:23 am

  This is my second Frontier. Ive had this one for 11 years. These are great small trucks. I just wish it got better mileage. Both trucks had problems with tailgate lock in both trucks.

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  From Frontier to 350Z - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By arsey51 - October 28 - 9:36 pm

  OK, Ive had the little stinker for 4 days. I traded in my 06 Frontier which I liked very much as far as trucks go, for an 08 Z. What a difference from handling, acceleration, comfort, etc. I havent driven anything this small since I turned over my 85 Honda Prelude with 300K on the odometer. Looking forward to building quite the relationship with the Z. Im not looking to get anymore power or handling out of it. Ive grown tired of pouring money into cars with aftermarket stuff. So Im just going to enjoy the car for what is - a fun sports-car.

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  First time Nissan owner! - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Willie - October 27 - 9:06 pm

  This is my first NON-American vehicle. The styling is great. I love the clear lens tail lights. The ride is great, smooth over broken roads. There is noticeable torque steer when taking off quick, but it is controllable. I have the Special Edition Package and I love the steering wheel audio controls, power driver seat and sound system. The trip computer tells me fuel consumption and outside temperature. Im averaging about 25 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving. There is some engine noise at highway speeds, but not unbearable. Great view front, side and rear with large windows and side mirrors.