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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  Best mid size car and Better than the competition! - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By Diego Castellano - January 8 - 1:32 pm

  First this car is a very good looking car that know how to be elegant and sporty at the same time. The comfort of this car is amazing starting with the zero gravity seats. I drove a Hyundai Sonata and the ride and seats are like riding over rocks, very stiff and very strong odor of plastics inside and very slow. The Nissan Altima has excellent power and fuel economy 41mpg in the highway and is fast compared to the competition, due to the light weight of the car. I drove 5 cars of the competition and for price and the reliability of Nissan I bought this car. The CVT transmission is a dream, very responsive and quiet, this is not my first Nissan anyways, I had many of them in the past with 0 issues like Nissan Sentra, Bluebird, Sunny, Junior, Bluebird Ateza Awd, Stanza and others.

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  Top Of The World - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By Nadi - January 8 - 10:06 am

  I traded my 04 FX35 with 59k on a 5 speed,03 Xterra with 103k miles in March 2010. Did a major service with timing belt and the works then put a set of beautifully aggressive and very quiet Goodyear Wrangler Dura Trac 265/75/16 tires on it, drove it from Los Angeles to Moab,Utah for the Easter Jeep Safari. I completed the "Top Of The World" and "Fins and things" trails which are rated difficult with this awesome show room stock vehicle. This vehicle is absolutely impressive and I do not impress easily having owned a few "built" off road rides. Now back in L.A. and drive it daily about 50 miles in total comfort. I love my Xterra more than anything I have owned. Nissan has created a gem.

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  2017 Versa My First Car - 2017 Nissan Versa
  By AM - January 8 - 1:22 am

  I went to Nissan looking to see what kind of car I could afford. I was not expecting to walk out and get into a new car! However, the car was suggested to me since it would be my first car. I have learned a lot about the Versa since I have had it for about 2 1/2 months. The car is comfortable the storage space is roomy especially for the back seats. The engine is noisy but the car runs smoothly and has no problems manuevering in and out of traffic, parking spots etc. I understand it is a subcompact vehicle, so it will feel a little tight if you are taller person ( I am 59") but someone who is 65" has driven it and was comfortable while driving a lengthy distance(the seat had to be leaned back,)

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  Two Years -- No Gas - 2014 Nissan Leaf
  By hizonr - January 7 - 11:46 pm

  I have had my 2014 Leaf SV for two years and have put 11,780 miles on it. My wife is the primary driver and "loves it." We easily beat EPA ratings spring to fall; mileage drops off in the winter. We usually drive in the "ECO" mode, which provides adequate acceleration for local driving. The car is roomy and comfortable with good visibility all around. It handles well and has a very short turning radius. We charge it overnight on 110 voltage. We didnt get leather, because we didnt want a black interior in South Carolina. I wish it had memory seats and light leather. The physical finish and quality of the car are more like a $22,000 car than a $32,000 car. That is its only drawback. I recently took it in for its two-year battery check. While there, the intelligent brake control was reprogrammed under a recall. Now the car doesnt always decelerate when I take my foot off the accelerator, even when in the "B" setting. I will be contacting the dealer about this issue.

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  Awesome - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Russel Huber - January 7 - 9:40 am

  I test drove a ford f-150 xlt triton, a chevy silverado 1500 and a 2500HD and a tundra. i test drove the nissan titan last, and that was my final test drive. Ive had my titan for less than a month and i wouldnt buy any other truck. this truck has so much power and interior room. overall, i give this truck a 10 out of 10.

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  What a difference a Maxima makes! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By BrownJ - January 7 - 8:43 am

  Super car for the money. Lots of power, quiet and you can even travel in it with out having to pull over and stretch after an hour. I traveled 4-1/2 hours without stopping once from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, CA.

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  Not for Montana driving - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Shelli Roufley - January 7 - 7:58 am

  I have driven front wheel drive little cars in Mt. for almost 30 years, putting on at least 30,000 miles a year. This is the worst car I have ever driven in snow and ice. Regretting this purchase. :( Update: I have had this car a year, and its falling apart.

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  This is what Maxima should be!! - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By Farhad - January 6 - 11:36 pm

  This is my 3rd maxima and the best. My first one was a 95 and loved it, second one was a 2000, disappointing. I walked away from maxima since lost its personality. After driving other nissans like, 350Z, murano and altima coupe now Im back to maxima again and could not be happier. I love everything about this car...well just about everything, accept I wish it was rear wheel drive just like the infiniti G37. Maybe well get there in a few years.

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  Mini Mommy Car - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Lou79 - January 6 - 9:36 pm

  I turned in my 07 Altima 2.5 SL Lease for a brand new 10 Rogue SL and am extremely happy. Has the same transmission as my Altima and I love the CVT. I dont think its loud at all and is more fuel efficient. Im a mom of two small children and commute 80 miles round trip everyday to/from work. The Rogue fits the bill as far as more comfort for the family and easier access for storage in the hatchback area. Plus, now I have a place to do a quick diaper change. Much easier to lug the double stroller around, but still fuel efficient for my long commute. I dont find the window in the back to be too small to view my blind spot like others have mentioned.

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  I Love My Quest - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By WIFENO1 - January 6 - 1:36 pm

  It did take me a short while to get used to driving this very large van after seven years in a Caravan Sport. But after a few weeks I was really loving it - especially playing with all the amenities. And the steering is excellent! There was one problem - the side passenger doors made noises. I cant say enough for Foothill Nisson (where I go for service) who found a recall (first year of the model) and carefully fixed it. To make up for the inconvenience, Nissan added two years to the warantee which I thought was really great!!