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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  Beware of gas tank problem! - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By John - February 25 - 2:20 pm

  Vehicle was fine until approx. 5000 miles, when it developed an awful squeak/creak from under vehicle. After second trip to dealer, I was told that there was a service fix which was a replacement fuel pump. After fix, squeak/creak was worse. Four more trips to Barrys and I was finally told that there were other customers with same problem, but there is no fix for it. Engineering was aware of problem. Meantime I am stuck with a $ 28,000 squeak/creak box. Beware!!!

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  Homework done, good car for the money - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By The aipster - February 25 - 10:40 am

  Ive had Sentras and Maximas in the past, and the fit and finish on this car is similar to a Sentra. Engine slightly more powerful than the Honda fit or the Kia rio5. Much more roomy and comfortable seats than the other two. Smooth quiet acceleration without engine laboring. Surprisingly nice handling and tight turn radius. My previous car was a Pontiac GTO (great sportscar, gas hog, no trunk) and while the versa is no sports car, its fun to drive and saves $$ on gas. The seats are spacious, comfortable and there is more than ample head and leg room. Seats do fold down but not flush in the back. Plenty of cup holders and power plugs. Great inexpensive roomy little car.

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  very reliable car - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By lancelot - February 25 - 10:00 am

  no major problems in over 100k miles

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  peice of junk - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By mommydriver101 - February 25 - 10:00 am

  We have had this van for 2 years and used it only for vacations we have a lot of miles oin it but there are many problems! The hood and all over the car there are crows feet which means the paint is going to peel. there is a really loud rattleing sound in the back but nobody seems to know what is wrong. the trasmison kicks really hard when you floor it. the acceleration stinks. going up a hill it takes about 30 seconds to even get close to the speed. WE are Not very happy with this car. we have had to take it to the dealer alot to get many things repaired. the tv breaks very easly but works good when is not broken.

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  Best Deal....why look anywhere else? - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By mini-mom - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Quest for almost 2 years now and I LOVE it! This van is such a great deal...we got all the features we really wanted, plus the entertainment center which has been invaluable. We have taken several long trips in our van and my husband (who is quite tall) never complains about being uncomfortable. The kids are entertained the whole trip and the rear a/c has been wonderful! We have had such positive experiences with Nissan vechicles and their warranty is top notch! I except to buy another Quest when we are ready for something new.

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  2nd Maxima & the Best - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Tom Cuillier - February 25 - 10:00 am

  We had our 1991 Maxima since it was new. Best car we ever owned, but this 03 is Awesome! Great Bose system, extremely fast, but docile & quiet during normal driving. Even Grandma is impressed with smooth luxurious ride, but when you press on the "fast" pedal, all hell breaks loose! This is a rocket. Handles like on rails, extremely roomy inside - even the back seat has a lot of leg room. I drove Mercedes, Volvo, BMW, & Lexus, before making my decision. This SE is a steal at the price and, performance-wise, will blow the doors off everything else I drove. Before buying anything else, drive a Maxima, your perfect car search will be over! This is a no-brainer.

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  great value - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By acmeroadrunnr - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I have 3000 miles on my Altima SE now and have found it to be as much fun to drive today as it was when I first test drove it. I had money down on a Passat GLX V6, but decided to test drive the SE and never looked back. I should also add that I replaced a 2000 Accord EX for the new Altima and am very happy with the new car.

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  best truck hands down - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By jwestfall - February 25 - 8:16 am

  I have always been a Dodge truck fan, until the Titan came into the picture. I test drove every large truck on the market, and none of them compare to the standard available power and options in the Titan. The overall handling, comfort, and style of the Titan is unmatched. The one and only complaint that I have is true with every other full-size truck on the market, the fuel economy is very poor. But what do you expect from a true V8 motor?

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  2000 Nissan Pathfiner SE 4x4 Fully Loaded - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ashlyanne - February 25 - 5:35 am

  I bought my Pathfinder for $1,200 last year with a little over 200,000 KMs on it. Since then Ive gotten it a fresh safety, new ball joints, inner and outer CV boots, transmission flush, new control arms, new gas tank and filler neck (last owner never washed the damn thing and my tank rusted out) new battery and other regular upkeeps like oil changes ect. Now all she needs is front end axles and struts and itll be like new. I got over 245,000 KMs on it now and still drives mint. Lots of power when I pass on the highway, great handling. No complaints other then I wish it had another gear!!! Revs high and sucks all my gas if I go over 110km lol. But overall awesome and I love it :)

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  My Car - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Tina - February 24 - 11:33 pm

  After all of these years my car is still running like a champ. I am just breaking in my 1997 Nissan Maxima.