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:

• 

  Enjoying the ride. - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By JDK - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the 2.5 S, w/ convience plus package, ec mirror, splash guards, microfilter, fog lights, color Polished Pewter w/ charcoal interior. So far Im very pleased with the vehicle. I went from driving an gas guzzling SUV (full size Chev Blazer), to which I still have. Overall, Im very pleased with this car!

• 

  Review after 69,000 miles - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By me124 - September 21 - 8:47 pm

  I have wrote a review 2 years ago on this Versa and was please then and must say I am still.I bought my Versa in March of 2008 and brand in and the only problem I had in 67,000 miles was the tires worn out at 28,000 miles.I changed the oil every 4000 miles and the car ran like a champ all the time.I live in Denver Colorado and go to the mountains all the time and the Versa had no problems going up the Mountains at 7000 to 10,000 ft.I was very pleased with every thing about this car but the gas mileage it got 23 or 25 in the city and did better on the hwy around 30mpg.Today is 11/24/2011 and I went and sold the Versa and got $8000 for it with 67,000 miles and payed new $13,900.

• 

  Great Car, but horrible steering - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By Glenn Barber - September 21 - 7:22 pm

  For the past 7 years, I have driven 2008 Nissan Altima and loved the car. So I decided to get the exact same car when I decided to purchase a new vehicle. I wish I had my old car because of the steering on the 2015 model that I purchased. The car drifts from one side of the road to the other and you have to continuously fight the steering wheel. After taking the car to the dealership, they told me that it drift within the normal limit set by Nissan. When did become appropriate to drift across the center line??? The dealership said that the new steering is sensitive and will drift dependent on the makeup of the road. After fighting the steering for only 2000 miles, Im ready to trade for another car. My advise - think very carefully before purchasing the Nissan Altima. It hard to pick-up on the drift during a 10 minute test drive. After buying the top of the line Altima, I would think Nissan would try to help resolve the problem. No luck!!!

• 

  Comfortable, all the power I need - 2017 Nissan Altima
  By Shawn - September 20 - 8:40 am

  Leased a 2017 Altima 2.5s, the car is super comfortable to drive with the plush seating. Easily enough power to drive in any condition, uphill, passing, highway merging, no problem. Suspension is awesome and a nice quiet ride. Safety rating is 5 star. [non-permissible content removed]

• 

  Like Car But Has An Incurable Bug - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Don - September 20 - 1:00 am

  I Generally like the car especially the gas mileage. Plenty of interior room, and trunk space. The only negative seems to be paring of the CVT transmission with a 4-cyl. engine. When starting uphill from a stop, particularly w/the A/C on, it feels like the engine is missing or that it is having difficulty shifting gears. I think it is the latter. Ive taken it to the dealership 3 times, and they cannot find anything wrong and suggested I use a higher octane gas. That did not work (and defeats the purpose of buying a 4-cyl.). So, I use the shift control in the "manual" mode when going up a hill from a stop and do not experience the "missing" feeling.

• 

  Just bought 2007 Altima 3.5 SE - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By VictrolaJazz - September 19 - 6:23 pm

  Ive had the car only 3 weeks, but I began enjoying it the moment I drove it off the dealers lot and back to my hometown 30 miles away!

• 

  An awesome car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By dj - September 19 - 5:36 am

  i love this car since i bought it. my family own all nissan cars (2 maximas, 2 altimas) we have had great experince with nissan. recently truck hit me (80mph) while i was standing on light.you wont beleive that i walked out of that accident with minor injury. so i have faith in nissan.

• 

  2004 Nissan Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Hpinut - September 18 - 12:56 pm

  I tow a 7000 lb trailer every weekend, pulls great. The only beef I have is the gas mileage - its 13 mpg :( - but for the power I can live with it! Whether Im going to work or going to race, the truck starts everytime, always gets me home, what more can I ask for!

• 

  fun - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By weislouie - September 18 - 11:23 am

  i own a drywall business and bought this truck for work. it will do the trick, but is much too nice for work.

• 

  WARNING - BUY THIS CAR - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By airbob55 - September 18 - 4:14 am

  We looked at the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, VW Passat and Hyundai Sonata and all were very nice vehicles, but the 2013 Nissan Altima was a sleeper. We purchased a loaded pearl white SL 2.5 with tech package. This car is great, were averaging 33 + MPG for the last 2 months, I love the CVT transmission. this car is fast, handles like a sports car, and the ride is smooth and very comfortable, by the way the seats are the most comfortable seat my rear has ever been in. We love all the standard features. plus the 5 star crash rating. Im not sure why the negative reviewers, but its the internet, they must be true... Take a test ride and see for yourself... PS. My wife loves this car :)