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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  very satisfied - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Jack ingram - March 13 - 4:42 am

  I luv this car couldnt have asked for one better! I picked this car over a 2016 Hyundai Genesis way more features on it!!

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  fun ride - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By jerros - March 13 - 3:40 am

  I just got my 350Z,black convertible and Im very happy with it. It is very fun to drive and very good looking. I like how it handles. And the taking the top up and down is fully automatic and it only takes about 20 secs. awesome......

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  Best sports car in its class. - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Zcarnut - March 12 - 8:53 pm

  This is my 7th Z car and the first I could AFFORD to buy new (I was too young to afford the $45k for a Twin Turbo in the early/mid 90s). The power is great,excellent handling,shifts nice,very good brakes and a decent ride for the type car it is.Interior quietness is good but you get some tire noise on certain roads.The stereo is mediocre at best.Even the pricer Bose system in Touring models is a letdown. Great car to get next to Lancer Evos,RX8s and S2000s with.The fantastic lowend repsonse assures many stoplight victories compared to most of its competitors requiring high RPM clutch drops. The Enthusiast model is the best value IMO. So much more value than the pricer Euro sports cars.

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  Poor not a family vehicle. - 2015 Nissan NV Passenger
  By Miriam - March 12 - 12:50 pm

  I will not recommend this as a family vehicle. Ventilation is very poor especially in the back, your kids will sweat like a pig.

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  2005Pathfinder_OffRoad - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By 2005_OffRoad - March 12 - 3:46 am

  The overall build quality of this vehicle appears to be very solid. Im still trying to adjust to the vehicle coming from a 2003 Z71 Tahoe. The V6 takes much more effort to get to speed. Both vehicles get around 14mpg city driving. The Bose stereo is not as full sounding (along with rattles) and the seats need additional adjustments. The ride is not quite as smooth as the Tahoe, although the handling is much more precise. The interior plastics on the Pathfinder are a large improvement from GM. I think the Pathfinder is a great vehicle if you are in the market for a mid-size SUV. Im relying on the resale and reliability of Nissan to justify my purchase.

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  I miss my Maxima! - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By naf - March 12 - 2:00 am

  My dream car! It was a great car until a fire destroyed it. I loved the way it felt at high speeds on the high way. Excellent accleration. Pretty good gas mileage. I will buy one again!

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  Nice auto if you can afford gas - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jeff Reddy - March 12 - 2:00 am

  If you read the owners manual, you will see that Premium fuel is defined by the Octane rating. The Premium fuel it recommends is usually the middle grade at most gas stations. This is important to know as my Pathfinder averages only 14.5 mpg. Thats my only complaint though, so overall Im happy.

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  nice but fragile - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By JMSFred - March 12 - 2:00 am

  After I had put 1500 miles on my Spec V both the airconditioner and cruise control failed to work. They were both fixed under warranty.

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  Excellent Value - Quality Rig - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jack Jones - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Looked at 4-Runner and Liberty - Pathfinder was hands down winner for VALUE. Engine is VERY peppy - rig really moves for a 4400 lb vehicle. Have thus far driven on numerous bumpy dirt roads. I have not heard one single pop, rattle, or vibration. Rig is very solid and tight! Surprisingly quiet on highway.

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  Smooth ride, but could use more room - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By twoskip - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I will say that this SUV has a great car like ride. Better MPG than my previous Grand Cherokee. Not as roomy as the Grand Cherokee though, and not enough interior storage compartments for misc. things.