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:

• 

  Worth It - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Bob - November 20 - 8:16 pm

  Found the Altima Hybrid when doing on line research for a new car. Liked the reviews and comments. Drove it and was very impressed. It is as close to a sports car as I could get with my size. Believe it or not at 69" and 280 lbs I am as comfortable in this car as any vehicle I have ever been in. We live in the California foothills and so dont get much of the city driving. However on the windy country roads I am on EV more than I expected.

• 

  Not a Cadillac, but who cares - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Karen - November 20 - 10:50 am

  I came to own this car after my second used car died on me and felt that it was time to get a car with a dealers warranty, and Nissans bumper to bumper warranty caught my attention, and then the Versa Ive read reviews where people have not exactly found this car to be particularly sporty, however, I must say I disagree. With the trend in cars that are on the road going to cars designed like the Versa, Honda Fit, and Toyota Yaris, the Versa is a winner. The design I feel is more classy than it is modern or trendy. The tapered design is nice and economic and it most certainly is a comfortable ride. The space is a major plus, I never thought a small car would have this much room.

• 

  3 Months 3000 Miles A+ So Far - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Paul Z - November 20 - 9:33 am

  This is my second Altima. My first was a 1995 that has almost 300,000 miles on it that I am keeping as a second car as it still runs great. How could I not by another Nissan? I love everything about this car. While I only have slightly less than 3000 miles on it I just got 34.5 mpg on a trip from Cincinnati to Memphis driving 70-80. Combined city/hwy I am averaging just under 30 mpg. To imagine getting this kind of mileage on a car of this size is hard to believe. My engine is hardly broken in! The styling is amazing and the interior is very spacious (Im 62). The CVT is awesome as is the keyless entry and trunk release. Push button start is great. Make this your next car!

• 

  Another happy Pro-4x owner - 2009 Nissan Frontier
  By albertr - November 19 - 2:43 pm

  Got the 2009 Pro-4x in black with leather seats. Like the truck, its fun to drive. Own it for just a week, I hope it will be as reliable as my previous Ford truck.

• 

  Pretty happy - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By pordy - November 19 - 1:16 pm

  Very nice car for the money- lots of kit, room, fast, comfortable, reliable- few competitors with a 6-sp. I bought 2 years old and now 2 years later and 50K miles total it has needed nothing. Id certainly buy it again. However, early 00s werent good times for Nissan and there are signs of things done on the cheap- leather has been durable but feels like vinyl, solid rear suspension, chronic wind noise around rear windows (TSB witstanding), non-adjustable rear headrests, intrusive trunk hinges, limited-slip only optional (and the 1 option mine doesnt have save navigation which I wouldnt want- forces cd changer in to trunk), some cheap plastics around e-brake and center storage

• 

  Nice Drive - 2012 Nissan Rogue
  By nakkers - November 19 - 12:10 pm

  Coming from 2010 Ford Escape xlt, fwd, 4 cyl, to a 2012 Rogue SV. The Rogues quality of materials feel much better than the Escape. Also drives more like a car and much quieter. In the past week, Ive put it through nearly 3000 kms. Im on the road a lot. I like the CVT when at highway speed and having to pass. Very smooth. It is a bit unusual when getting up to speed from the on-ramp but, I think its pretty easy to get used to. Feels planted and tracks well.

• 

  Nothing but excellence for the Murano - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Michael - November 19 - 3:06 am

  My wife and I purchased a new 2007 Nissan Murano in February. This is perhaps one of the finest cars we have owned and we enjoy every aspect of the vehicle. We purchased the Pearl White Murano SL with a sunroof and DVD entertainment system. The only regret I now have about this vehicle is that I didnt get Navigation. However, I do have that in my 2005 Nissan Murano SE.

• 

  Good car - 2010 Nissan Sentra
  By Kenny - November 18 - 5:30 pm

  Love the bluetooth and intellikey. Never have to take the key out of your pocket. Cell phone syncs automatically everytime enter car. The transmission is very smooth. A little noisy, but the radio takes care of that. And a little sluggish coming of the block. Major complaint is gas mileage. I drive very conservatively, and barely average 31-32 mixed. Too much plastic on overall build.

• 

  Versa - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By m33k0n - November 18 - 11:37 am

  Bought this car used from a dealership with 126,xxx on it, and I have driven at least 900km since. It is a lot of kms for a 4-year old car, but I heard Nissans will last forever it taken care of. I have no real complaints about the car. The engine makes a strange ticking noise whenever its accelerating, but Im assuming its the timing chain..Unless this is a problem. Good on fuel, get around 370km to a tank, I got 310 on my old VW Golf. The only complaints I really have is that there are rust spots on the hood of the car. The look like they are from bugs. I plan on removing the spots in the summer. Also, the check engine has come on and dealership keeps saying its the gas cap.

• 

  Armada 2004 - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By j.trussell - November 18 - 6:20 am

  This SUV has the perfect amount of room on the inside BUT it is a PIECE of JUNK. The interior is cheaply made and easily scratched etc. I have had a tremnedous number of items replaced on the inside -the DVD player, DVD console in the ceiling, leather cover on a passenger seat, ac vent, volume control button on the steering wheel (this needs replacing again)drivers window had to be worked on 3 times, passenger window also, back of front passenger seat had to be replaced, brakes 3xs, lots of rattles when driving---it has NOT been a good experience. Love the size and the amenities in it but it is cheap!!!