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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  34K and still great! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By svalent2 - February 24 - 3:17 pm

  Overall its a really great car, Ive only needed regular maintenance. The pep is there when I need it especially when merging onto highways or zooming around idiots in the city that dont use their signals. I average about 29.5 with all city and about 33 mixed. Very comfortable and lots of storage space. I have experienced the "shutter/vibration" of the transmission, about 3 times since Ive had the car (34k miles btw) at about 40 mph coasting for about a minute long. Its very distracting and doesnt feel too good during that minute but its so rare that it even happens that it doesnt bother me too much. If it happened all the time I could see why some would trade it.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By debra - February 23 - 3:50 pm

  Have owned corvette, mercedes, hands down the most fun car to drive. Makes the hour drive to work the most fun and the top is the best, easy and fast! This car gets attention! Will buy Z again. Love this car!

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  Quality, Real Sport Utility Vehicle - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By Daily Driver - February 23 - 3:23 pm

  Sturdy, truck frame, doesnt feel like a delicate car whose suspension has been raised and given 4WD. Inspires confidence in bad weather and on rough trails. Fun to drive in the snow and slush! Feels safe. VDC works well when roads are slick. Good ground clearance with key components tucked up under the frame. Excellent acceleration. Very responsive engine and transmission. Quiet on the highway. Comfortable for four on a trip.

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  I felt comfortable the first time I drove it.... - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By jcnninin - February 22 - 9:05 pm

  I bought a used 2011 Rogue with 28,000 miles on it, a "program car" in excellent shape. I test drove the Honda CR-V, RAV4, Altima, and brand new Rogues, but for some reason when I drove this one, it felt like "my car." It just fit. The ride is nice and smooth even with the 4-cylinder (Im used to driving full-sized V-8s). It has quick response in the 25-45 MPH range that makes moving around in traffic very easy. I guess you could call it "nimble." Gas mileage is very good, but not great. After driving 900 miles (mostly city driving), Im getting about 24.2 MPG. I have XM satellite radio, which rocks. More roomy inside than it looks. All in all, I love it.

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  2003 Murano SL - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By dag - February 22 - 8:13 pm

  Bought our gold Murano new in 2003 and use it for long long road trips. Weve put over 75000 miles on her and shes going strong. We checked out the Mercedes and Lexus SUVs at the time, and they were noisier. We enjoy the quiet ride of the Murano. We can carry on a conversation without yelling. Theres lots of room for the two of us and our dog. The ride is great; theres power to spare. Gas mileage is so-so (20 mpg), but we have only used regular gas and the engine runs great.

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  LOVE THIS CAR!!! - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Jennifer Jones - February 22 - 10:00 am

  This car has been wonderful. The only problem it has had in the seven years I have had it, other than maintenance (eg. tires, brakes, clutch), is a new starter. Its too bad they changed the body style recently. I can only hope the new ones perform as well as mine. I LOVE MY CAR!!! Im driving my car until it dies, which even at 185,000 miles, it still wont be anytime soon. It still drives perfectly. I recommend this body style Maxima to any and everyone.

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  Great all around sedan. - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By MBowen574 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought a 1998 Maxima GXE in Jan. 2004 w/ 128,000 miles. Perfect! I wouldnt own any other car (this is my first car). It gets all the ladies, even though it is purple (maroon) and has wheel covers. I love everything about it. I dont want to sell it. About $100 in repairs in 4,000 miles on a well-used 6 year old car! And that includes $60 for its first brake rotor replacement. This cars virtues are simply too numerous for words.

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  The Nissan Family - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By ADP37 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Love this car. This is my third Nissan (simply because I love cars ) My mother has the Quest and My father has the Murano. They are the best car, they never breakdown, the Engines last forever, and it is excellent on gas, plus the ride is smooth

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  I wouldnt buy another one - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By brittkaye - February 22 - 10:00 am

  My Nissan SE-R has not been a good car at all. I baught it in April 2002 as a graduation present. I now have a 7 1/2 page list from the dealership of things that have had to be done to it. New Starter, new censors, new computer....you name it, its been replaced. I wouldnt recommend this car to anyone!!

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  Nissan X-Terra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By jkirvin23 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  For those who like to use their SUVs to its full capacity this is the best one for you. It is very sporty and rugged. It doesnt have all the bells and whistles that other SUVs have but it is very enjoyable to drive and to get around in. There is lots of room and most importantly it has the reliability of a Nissan. My brother has a Pathfinder and he hasnt had a problem with his and he has over 100,000 miles on it. It is a good looking car with lots to back it up on its value!