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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  I love this Xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Michele Small - September 16 - 4:20 pm

  I have owned Nissan Vehicles for over 25 years and I LOVE them. I live in the northern west tip of NY state and we have SNOW!!! I got tired of never having a secure feeling in a car on bad roads so I traded in my Maxima for this Xterra. The very next day we had 8 inches of snow and the 20 mile drive to work was SO MUCH SAFER! The interior of this vehicle is pretty well bare bones, buut I have all that I want...cruise, air, 4wd and SPACE to carry my 25 lb bags of birdfood as well as my dogs!! I LOVE this vehicle as it suits my size as well...51" and 120 lbs. I can handle the vehicle and not feel overwhelmed (as I do in my husbands Ford F150). I dont mind the winter now!

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  Nice ride, quiet, comfy interior - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By knh - September 16 - 1:40 pm

  Ride quality is better than the old G35, very solid, bump absorbing, never got unsettled by any bumps. Steering is reasonably responsive. Cabin is very quiet. Convenience package is very practical. MP3 player standard is great.

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  A Mistake - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By aewj - September 16 - 5:16 am

  Want to look good on the road? Then this may be your car. The body styling is sleek and exotic. It is fitted with an engine that sounds mean and has the zip to really move you. The true test of ownership, though, comes from driving for several months. After that, you realize the Z requires patience at the repair shop and money - lots of it. During the brief periods that the car is out of the shop, it is fun to drive. The bucket seats are narrow and can be quite uncomfortable after several hours of driving. Mechanical problems, dealer/warranty issues, and an uncomfortable ride are the price for looking good on the road. Unfortunately, the fun soon subsides.

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  I love my new Versa! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Melissa - September 16 - 2:06 am

  I took my 2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8 in for warranty service (rear brake drums needed replaced at 8563 miles! =( ) and walked over to the showroom while waiting for my car to be worked on. I took a test drive of the new Versa, and fell in love! I brought my new Versa home last night, and cant wait to get in it and drive some more! The shifter takes some getting used to as I have only ever driven a standard-H pattern manual before, but its so much fun! My children have more room in the backseat now, and the seats are very cushy and comfy! I had to go with a lower model - no cruise control like I had in the Sentra - but since I hardly used it anyway, no major loss! Great job Nissan!

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  Great Truck - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By Billy - September 15 - 9:43 pm

  Ill start off by saying that my Frontier has over 175,000 miles on it. I bought it brand new in 00 with 10 miles on it. It is now one of my work trucks. What a fantastic truck it has been. Not the most powerful, doesnt get great gas mileage, isnt the roomiest, but damn, this thing is reliable. Other then tires, oil, and brake pads, Ive only replaced the timing belt at 120k miles, and one A/C hose at 160k miles. I highly recommened this truck for people who need a good used, long lasting, dependable truck at a great price on the used truck market. By the way, mine was not babied at all. It pulls a heavy work trailer on a regular basis, and only gets the oil changed about every 10k miles.

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  Will not buy again - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Madman96 - September 15 - 9:03 pm

  This has been a nightmare from the day I bought it. I had to call NIssan for assistance and they sent me a physc evaluation questionaire before they would assist. The car smells of antifreeze. The seat belts lock and will not unlock. They were replaced on one seat and the problem got worse. I am on my third set of brakes and 3rd rotor on the left front. After each brake job the car rides decent for about 5000 miles and then the vibrations start. The rotors overheat and warp. Definite design flaw. Dealer always says no problem found with all problems. I will never buy from the dealer or Nissan again. 92,000 miles of unpleasant experience. Average mileage mostly highway 23 mpg.

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  Needs improvements - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Sherry - September 15 - 5:23 pm

  I do like the size of my Armada. However, I think that it should be made of better materials in the interior. It should not be squeaky at 9100 miles. It has rattles in it already.

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  A Nissan disappointment - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Ron - September 15 - 2:53 pm

  Problems since day one. Windows, door handles, horn, plastic body parts and more are poorly designed and dont function properly to this date 1 1/2 years later. Major drive train problem that Nissan cant or refuses to fix. Nissan denies there even is a problem. Svc mgr confirmed vibration at mid speed range. A warrantee is only as good as the issuer. In this case, no good. My advice, buy another make of truck.

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  2nd maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By 2004 SE MAX - September 15 - 12:36 pm

  The 2004 max is equipped with a very strong motor and at time is a very fun car to drive however the interior lack the comforter or style. The exterior was the most disappointing the overall workmenship that was in the past a high quality of nissan somehow change not for the good.

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  Satisfied with Altima - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Cedric - September 15 - 8:46 am

  The Nissan Altima has been the best car Ive ever purchased. I have the 2.5 engine, but it drives like a V6. When I first test drove the Altima, it took a while for me to get used to the acceleration. This car is powerful and very fun to drive. The fuel efficicency is good, especially in todays high gas prices.