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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  Titan Exterior Paint - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By jmc - May 17 - 2:26 am

  I like the truck overall, but hate the paint finish. I have experience circles of paint that randomly fall of the vehicle down to the primer. I showed the dealer these circles on the tailgate and they said it was rock chips. How do you get rock chips on a tailgate? When I use touch-up paint it eventually comes off again, so there is something wrong with the prep prior to painting. I had a Sherwin- Williams automotive paint specialist look at these and he agreed that the viods were not due to rock chips. This is a weakness in the vehicle that can hurt resale value.

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  Frontiers Amazing - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Ballistics - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I have always had Toyotas, I thought Id try Nissan. The Nissan feels heavier, but has better center of gravity feelilng. Has outstanding noise supression cab. In WV, running 70 up hills in 5th gear feels good! I had to drive 3 hours in 4WD in near white-out snow, the vehicle was very stable and reliable, rarely broke traction and handled well. My only disappointment is the consistent 15-17 mpg. However, considering all the other pluses I have no regrets. Frontier delivers on demand every time.

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  1999 Nissan Sentra GXE - 1999 Nissan Sentra
  By Beardel - May 17 - 2:00 am

  I find this car to be very dependable, economical, and fun to drive. However the body style (rear only) is not at all appealing in my opinion.

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  Nissan Maxima the Family Sports Car. - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Luis De la Fuente - May 17 - 2:00 am

  The car is fun to drive. Great exterior look. Husband and Wife are 43years old and are over 280Lbs. and we have the room of a full size car. Handles great. Drove SUV before we got Maxima and do not miss the SUV. Kids like it too. Will pass car on to son in 2 to 3 years.

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  Nice and peppy - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By John L. - May 17 - 2:00 am

  After four years driving GXE98 model I got another Maxima SE 03. GXE98 ,very good car, perfect reliability, well build car. New SE 03, with titanium package make me happy, very fast, smooth ride with sporty suspension, well design interior with many useful features. Perfect choice for sporty family car.

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  Cant Beat it for the Money! - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By briggzay - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Having recently worked my butt out of debt, i had determined to buy a sensible car that would be reasonably- priced, and reasonably sporty/outfitted with a few niceties. Though i love to drive good cars, they are a horrible investments, and i didnt want to go back into debt just to own one. In my shopping, I limited myself to an $18,000 max pricetag, which i was sure would land me in a sensible, boring, reliable small car. Boy was i wrong! After one drive of the SpecV, i was amazed at the amazingly solid handling, very peppy acceleration, and nicely-designed interior. All for under $18,000!

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  Rocket - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By rudepuppy - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Best engine of all v-6 in production ANYWHERE. Blows away newer camrys and accords. New accord has smoother ride but balky transmission. New camry is a gramma car, toyota engine troubles on older cams and siennas has soured me on toyota.

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  Would love to love it - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By bschipper - May 16 - 10:03 am

  I bought the car Friday night, 4 days ago. It has been dead since Saturday. We noticed it idling rough the night we got it home, and after that it wouldnt start. Absolutely nothing happened when I turned the key - no lights, no sounds, absolutely nothing. I couldnt even get the CD out of my stereo. Yesterday I had to pay $90 to have it towed 45 miles to the nearest dealership (Nissan only pays the first $100 of the tow.) Its been a fiasco, and Im NOT happy!

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  I will never buy another Nissan - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By justicebrown - May 16 - 7:13 am

  Several expensive repairs prior to 90,000 miles. Front struts, causing tire wear, frequent tire replacements and eventual front strut replacement. Rear Suspension was wobbling at high way speeds, causing consumer hazard and had to be replaced. AM/FM/CD replaced several times, eventually purchased after market replacement. Speakers go out sporadically but, infrequently. Nissan didnt forewarn about exhaust manifold problem. I almost paid for this out of pocket. Luckily I found out about a TSB. Nissan doesnt value customer safety or customer satisfaction.

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  CVT Unreal - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By stoppani - May 16 - 7:00 am

  Had other Maximas before but the 2007 has it all. If youve driven the 2004- 2006 Maxima a test drive in the 2007 will convince you to trade. Incredible acceleration and feel with the CVT. It has it all, looks, power, ability.