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 No-Frills Truck - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By doug - September 26 - 5:33 am

  I wanted a basic, simple truck, and thats what I got- roll-up windows, the horn doesnt beep when I lock/unlock the door, no power stuff to break. I like the 5-speed and 4- cylinder combination, although I have to gear down on hills even more than with my manual shift Camry. Dont even think of mating a 4-cyl with a slushbox. Only one nit-pick so far. The lower grille is a gaping empty hole leaving the radiator and A/C condenser with no protection from flying rocks. I am thinking of bolting a piece of stiff 1/4-in fence wire to the lower plastic and painting it black.

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  Family cargo transporter - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By llajumpvid - September 23 - 10:00 am

  It drives like a sports car, rides like a luxury car(almost). It makes trips enjoyable until the gas pump:). The gas mileage is expected though. so far average 11 in city and 15 hwy with 3000 miles. Im happy with the purchase, a few rattles that can be fixed but overall glad I bought it.

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  Sleeper - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By .45 - September 23 - 10:00 am

  Just what I wanted/expected. A sleeper sedan with reasonable performance, a "slush-box," GPS NAV and every amenity I was looking for. After spending the 3 previous years in a 3-series coupe with a manual tranny, limited options (stark German engineering "reality") and driving in metro traffic its good to be back in a "loaded" Max. I previously owned a 96 GLE and it was a great car. Returning to a Maxima was a no- brainer. DISCLAIMER: I WILL buy another Bimmer but at the moment its not the best option for my circumstances.

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  2004 nissan sentra - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Tessa1010 - September 23 - 10:00 am

  The car is nice and comfortable to drive. Highway driving is good, limited outside noise when windows are up. Overall its a great car to use in town or drive a long distance to work. Gas miliage is great - this I love. Car hands great and a great front view. It would be sporter load with outside extras like wing and tint.

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  love everything but the brakes - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By dubld98 - September 23 - 7:26 am

  this vehicle is a joy to own and drive butr there is a problem with the brakes and I have had to have them replaced 3 times in 4 months so far. I hope they resolve the brake problem soon.

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  know what is important to you - 2013 Nissan Leaf
  By jas2012leaf - September 22 - 11:39 pm

  I lease a 2012 Leaf. It comes with no spare tire, a real drag. It is not a winter car for those who have trouble driving in snow. It needs winter tires for the front, and I dont know how much that will help. Using heat,wipers,defrost, and driving in snow lessens the range by 30%. I commute 26 miles uphill <1000 ft and Ive used 80% of the power to do it in winter on bad days. I use a 120volt space heater to warm the car first. Better range (126 mi/charge) 2016. Ad now is misleading . 126/106 isnt the range, but the mpg equivalent- comparing it to a gas car. Dont be fooled. Solar roof is available only overseas,not in usa yet. Decent second car, my 1st, but Im waiting to 2016 for next..

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  happy with my choice - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By john - September 21 - 8:49 am

  Edmunds doesnt like Murrano but I do, great car for the money, go sit in one and drive it before you decide on another SUV.

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  Great SUV - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By THEDOC - September 20 - 6:50 pm

  I have nothing but great luck with this car....it is built well, runs well and hardly ever breaks down. I have spent very little to keep it running and has never let me down. I have 221000 miles and it still runs great. I will never buy an American car again after owning a Nissan. Built well, runs well, and still looks contemporary.

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  Needed a truck - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Lithonia Brown - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Best bang for the buck.

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  2001 GXE Limited Edition - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By JWR - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable car to drive. Rear suspension problems. Replaced the bushings on the rear sway bar twice. Just replaced a defective speed regulator on the driver side power window. Service department at the local dealer is very poor when it comes to customer service.