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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  No Inside trunk release - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By SPross - September 12 - 9:52 am

  I bought the basic 2016 model. Im not a bells and whistles kinnda girl and what was standard on the Murano was fine with me. It took a few days before I realized that there is no inside trunk release button. In order to open your trunk, you have to be outside to do it. it isnt a huge issue, but it can be a little inconvenient. There is a button in the other feature package Muranos. I also wish the back seats were able to adjust the angle of the recline. I find them a bit to straight and not a comfortable position for a long ride.

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  SE Value Package is appropriately named - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By KentT - September 12 - 8:20 am

  When my teenager totaled my 2009 Frontier with less than 9000 miles on it, I didnt think twice about replacing it with the exact same spec 2010 -- even the same Radiant Silver. (He walked away with only a bruised shin after sliding into a telephone pole that totaled the vehicle. The safety features, especially the intrusion bars in the doors worked as designed. The Value Truck package is even better value on the 2010, adding the Tow Package to the deal. With the rebate, this is an incredible value for a powerful, tough 4WD truck thats well- equipped and fun to drive. The V6 is simply best-in-class, an incredibly smooth and powerful engine.

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  Nice Starter Car - 1998 Nissan Sentra
  By Kady - September 12 - 3:16 am

  This car was pretty good. The only thing I didnt like was that when having more than 2 people in the car, it didnt like going up hills. I live in Upstate NY where everything is a hill, so when driving with my friends, I had to floor it to get going at a good speed. But I really like this car. Its easy to drive and is very reliable

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  Nissan Finally Transmission/Radiator Issue!! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By koz5150 - September 11 - 4:52 am

  To all those who have had the infamous transmission/radiator issues, I just received a letter in the mail from Nissan saying that while they are not creating a reacall for it, they are extending the warranty on the vehicle to cover this issue. They are extending the warranty to 96 months or 80K miles. While this is not the perfect solution, it should help a large number of owners. To those who already had to pay for a repair for this, it sounds like you will be able to get reimbursed for it. Hopefully you all will be receiving your letters shortly. While my 2005 Pathfinder has not yet had this issue, I just wanted to pass on the somewhat good news.

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  NISSAN ALTIMA 1997 - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By RUBEN - September 10 - 10:00 am

  PERFORMANCE, PRICE, RELIABILITY, MANUAL

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  awesome car - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By BaBabooey - September 10 - 10:00 am

  the car is great.. this is my 1st car & i am thrilled w/ it. im glad i picked this over the civic - its nicer lookin, more horse & more fun to drive

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  BANG FOR THE BUCK - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By DIBIASE - September 10 - 10:00 am

  i LOVE THIS VEHICLE. ONLY GRIPE IS THE INTERIOR, BUT EVERY CAR HAS SOMETHING TO GRIPE ABOUT, TRUST ME. THE ACCELERATION EVEN ON THE 4 CYLINDER IS VERY LIVELY, I LOVE THE RIDE AND THAT GATED SHIFTER THING LOOKS SO MUCH SWEETER AND SPORTIER THAN THAT OLD REGULAR SHIFTER IN THE CAMRY AND ACCORD. THE ALTIMA REALLY SHINES WITH ANY ALLOY WHEELS, SPOILER AND FOG LIGHTS TO GO WITH IT. PUT SOME TINT AND YOUR ALTIMA WILL BE OFFICIAL.

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  Better have a rocket to pass this car! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Tony Smith - September 10 - 10:00 am

  After owning Toyotas Avalon for seven years and also owned the Toyota Corolla, I hate to admit it but the Nissan Altima out did the Toyota easily. This car puts anything out there to shame! It is the smoothest riding car I have ever owned! Driving this car is like driving a rocket! Love the Bose 6 cd changer sound system along with everything else! Drive this car one time and you will be sold! If you get this car you better have a fat wallet so you can pay for all the personal invitation to the policeman ball!

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  Disappointed Nissan Fan - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Disappointing ride - September 10 - 10:00 am

  Delivered w/38 lbs air in tires! Still rides poorly, harsh,noisy over road joints, jiggly, rear suspension seems like its suspended on bungee chords on dips. Numerous rattles. Fasteners missing on plastic inner fender splash shields. Dealer cant find klunk in rear area, is replacing shocks to hopefully fix the problem. We have been a Datsun/Nissan/Infiniti family since 1982, owned Sentras, Maximas, 200SX, G- 20 etc. VERY disappointed with this car in comparison. Tougfh to back up, no part of the car is visable out rear window.

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  Ya Gotta Love It! - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By dfkelley - September 10 - 4:43 am

  I love this car. I owned a 260z when "much" younger and have craved the rush over the years. The interior does not have storage but it is made up for with the way it handles and the design turns heads everywhere I go! I would recommend this car to anyone wanting a true "sports" car.