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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  Buyer beware - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Damian sumner - September 8 - 3:24 am

  Me and my wife bought a 2013 Nissan Altima fully loaded with everything that Nissan come with for $33,000. within the first year a motor mount broke the master cylinder for the brakes started leaking the air conditioning compressor started leaking and that was all within 5000 miles in the first year of on in the car. Now 4 years later we still want to have 26,000 miles on the car now the shifting solenoid went out we cannot shift it from park. The car looks good drives good but its built like a piece of crap

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  transmission from h____ - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By kaki johnson - September 7 - 6:27 pm

  This is on a 2007 model. Site will not let me change the 2001 mistake. If you want a hole in your head and wallet, buy this vehicle. Nissan has known about these leaks into the transmission, and for most people, the problems do not normally start until over 90,000 miles, and then there is no help from the dealer/company. These CEOs should be sent to prison for knowing refusing to call a recall, and settlement in 2012 suit is a joke for most consumers. Shame on Nissan. I will never buy a Nissan ever again.

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  even better! - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By sito - September 6 - 11:20 pm

  I bought the first Murano in 2003 an loved it. Decided to trade it for a new one with all the gadgets. Navigation system is wonderful, as well as DVD. The car is much quieter and feels more refined than the first model. That improves the fun of driving it, as long as you like quiet, comfortable cars. Would recommend it to anyone. By far the best SUV for the price!!!!

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  The vehicle Ive been waiting for. - 2015 Nissan Rogue
  By pdking7 - September 6 - 6:17 pm

  I dont understand the lackluster power complaint in the review. The Rogue I drove had an Eco setting and a Sport setting. The reviewer must have had it in Eco because there was plenty of punch in the Sport. Overall, a very impressive vehicle. Very spacious and comfortable. Price per option was an impressive value and the design overall is classy and attractive. Ive been waiting for a vehicle like this and now I have it. And I dont regret a single thing.

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  Everything the 3.5SE was plus more - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Scott Thatcher - September 6 - 2:53 am

  The 05 SE-R is my third Nissan. Loved my 02 3.5SE Altima and 05 3.5SE Altima. Held value so well I could trade in 1-1.5 years and make cash on the deal. Handling, acceleration and braking are phenomenal. Styling outside is great, HID headlights and Bose standard are great additions to the 3.5SE. BIG rotors & brakes, nice forged wheels. Great interior space. Versatile lay down back seats. I consider American, Toyota, Honda and VW every time but I get the most bang for my buck with the Nissan Altimas. Nissan dealers have always been no hassle no haggle with me.

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  overpriced - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By rayray - September 5 - 6:10 pm

  For the price you donÂ’t get a lot I got the 2.5 SL and over paid a lot. The SL should all come with anti-lock breaks I really hate that it doesnÂ’t and has bad as their safety rating is they should all come loaded with air bags. It is very noisy; you hear everything on the road especially when it is raining. Fortunately I was lucky enough to sell mine. Also wish it had overdrive or 5 speed auto like 3.5 does.

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  CVT transmission problems - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By bille60 - September 5 - 3:25 pm

  We bought our 2008 Rogue S AWD new from the dealership. Nice looking, fun to drive, great safety features, and the AWD is fantastic. Never had to be towed. I noticed the transmission had a slight high pitch whine when it was new - going up steep hills. I thought it was just normal for a CVT. Then as time went on (about 20,000 miles) the transmission developed a loud high pitch whine going up steep hills - especially in the summer heat. At 30,503 miles the dealer replaced the transmission fluid because of my complaints about the CVT noise. Nissan has replaced 2 CVT transmissions so far.

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  love it! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By julie - September 5 - 11:56 am

  My 2002 Ford Focus s/w literally broke down on a Saturday. After getting it running, I drove 27 miles north to look at the little car at the dealership. Have never owned a new car but this one was worth waiting for! Love: the ride, pickup, gas economy (32 mpg best). Only negative: poor lighting. I will love driving this car for years to come.

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  Nissian Sentra - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Michaelchops - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Its a great car for one person. or maybee two. I took it on a 3000 mile trip and it was fine. I also took for friends on a weekend trip for 600 miles and it was a bit small. Great car.

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  awesome to play around with for price - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By gnoelting - September 5 - 10:00 am

  i have onwed a sentra gxe for a year know and i gave to say i love it. gas mileage is outstanding average 27 city and 35 highway. excellent for sound quality of stock stereo and spacious for 2 ten inch woofers in the trunk with storage space still. handling is superb which is why i have avoided many collisions. quiet engine and reliability you can find in no other car in my opinion especially for the price of what i paid. $10,000 even brand new. i am now upgrading and looking to be sponsored into a 2005 spec-v. these are badboy little sedans.