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 car so far! - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By kristian - June 30 - 10:16 am

  I absolutely love this car! I just purchased it a week ago and have fallen in love with it already. Great steering and maneuvering, great handling, size (inside and out), and space. I previously had a 2008 Nissan Sentra and felt that it was just too cramped so I moved up to the Altima and wouldnt change anything. I wanted this car for some time now and glad that I was able to move up.

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  2005 Nissan Altima is outstanding! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Tim Cassidy - June 30 - 4:10 am

  My wife and I purchased a 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5SL in August 2004. It simply is an outstanding car! The power from the 2.5 is surprising while the amenities of the SL package give us the luxury feel and handling of sedans that cost almost twice as much. It averages almost 25 MPG in city driving while getting 30 MPG on the highway. The editors of Edmunds bemoan the fact that antilock brakes are still not standard but I applaud Nissan for leaving them optional as I am one of the doubters of the safety of antilock brakes. I drive in upstate NY and I have had many vehicles with and without antilocks and I am NOT convinced you stop any faster with them. Good job, NISSAN!

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  Lots of problems with memory seats - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By jeayrs - June 29 - 7:37 pm

  This car has a rough ride and lots of road noise when driving over about 30mph. Have taken mine into the shop 3 times because the memory seats will not hold what is programed into them. Also had a problem with the steering wheel falling and locking into the down position after turning off the car and then it would not come back up when ignition was started. Again, another trip back to the shop.

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  Gus Guzzler - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By ciara - June 29 - 7:03 pm

  I bought this car because Nissan stated that it got 36 mph and 30 miles per gallon in the city. I only get 16 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the freeway. The auto fuel sensor has broken twice and it has been replaced under warranty. I was told the repair would improve mileage but it did not. Its a comfortable car to drive if you can afford the gas.

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  POOR QUALITY - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By henduuu - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I really want to like this car. However, I have had nothing but problems with this car over the past year. Three engine coils (yep, thats half of them) have gone bad over the past six months. In addition, my computer was replaced within the first year, had to be updated again recently and now my oxygen sensor is having problems. Ive been into the service department more times with this car than I have with any car previously.

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  Like my PF LE but... - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Kinta - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Love the size of the PF as its l&w are comparable to most midsize cars. Acceleration is good. Steering is secure. Handling great with the AUTO feature. Fun to fishtail in RWD mode. The interior is better than other non- luxury SUVs. It gets bouncy. Some squeaks and rattles, but most fixed. Nissan Customer service is poor. Consider a 1 year old Infiniti, especially in LA, where name plates count. Also the warranty is 1 year longer and the service is excellent

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  So far so good. - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By 96flea - June 29 - 2:00 am

  The car has decent pep to it but could do better on milage. I have an automatic tranny w/performance package. The 16" wheels really makes the car look better but the low profile tires makes the car ride a little hard. I purchased the Sentra used at Pohanka Chevrolet in Chantilly, Va. for $10,500. The car did well in the blizzard that hit the East Coast this Feb. The torque is among the highest in this class of vehicle. I believe 0-60 is around 9 or 10 seconds though i have not really romped on the gas pedal to find out. With 3 family members (each weigh about 230lbs) this Sentra performed well with a full load.

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  Da Twuk - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By Dak - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I am very impressed with Nissans overall attention to detail with this truck. This truck won out over some tough competitors when it came time to shop for a new vehicle. In fact Nissan was not an original choice, whereas; Ford, Toyota and GM were. Great job Nissan!!

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  What More Do You Want? - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Janalina - June 29 - 2:00 am

  No one who owns this vehicle would give it less than an eight on a scale of one to ten. Compared to others in its class the design and technology of the Murano surpasses them all. Nissan has done their research and designed a reliable "crossover" vehicle for those of us who enjoy spending time in the outdoors, not driving all over it. The ride and handling of the SL is great -- like a car. Mileage has been at about 20 around town and about 24 highway. Not bad for such a roomy, powerful and solidly built vehicle. TEST DRIVE THE MURANO, then BUY IT! Yeah it isnt cheap, but you get what you pay for.

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  Refined fun - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By kewllewk - June 29 - 2:00 am

  How can you compare this vehicle to anything else? Well you cant! Nothing even comes close to what the Murano offers. If you love driving cars or spend a lot of time driving, then the Murano is a top choice. I compared over 20 different vehicles from Audis to Volvos including 4 door wagons, sedans and SUVs (sorry no vans!). Nothing will give you a better all around package that will satisfy 99% of your wants and needs for the way the average vehicle is used 99% of the time. Great looks, space, performance, exceptional comfort and fantastic design with amazing attention to detail. Take a look and be prepared to be surprised.