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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  2007 maxima SL - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By mack - June 3 - 5:20 pm

  This is a very smooth riding car and is easy to drive.

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  Transmission problems - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By thammonds - June 3 - 8:00 am

  What a huge disappointment! I fell in love with my brand new pathfinder on the lot. As soon as I got it I had to put it in for service because the cloth was coming off of the drivers seat after about the 4th try I stopped taking it needless to say they never fixed it right transmission started messing after 1 year I did not know the noise I was hearing was not normal now 2 years later it is completely broke and costs 6800 to fix initially I took it in for a diagnostic test because I had no heat it was blowing cold air, they told me that the fluids from the radiator leaked into the transmission and made it go bad and they are not responsible for fixing Not worth money you have to put into it

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  Fun to Drive - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By geibelkj - June 3 - 7:10 am

  This is a fun car to drive. Traded in a 2009 accord EX-L for an end of year 09 Altima 2.5 SL. The Altima is a great car. has excellent pickup with the CVT. Smooth and quiet. Fuel economy is good, just took a 4 hour road trip, saw a little over 30 mpg.

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  Better then expected - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By rob c - June 3 - 4:20 am

  I bought the car for a second vehicle. I am impressed with its performance so far. It has unbelievable room for a small car, we are a family of 5 and we fit perfect. I thought that it would have a tough time getting up to seed on the highway with the whole family but it handles the job fine. The car is a great buy overall.

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  Good for 20-somethings - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By Colorado Girl - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Fast and limber. Fun to drive. Great in snow. Not super comfortable, though. Very truck-like ride. Forget this car if youre a smoker. The ash tray is almost impossible to use and the lighter broke the first month. I (a 32-year old woman) recommend this car for guys in their 20s. Its a fast and manly car...and its easy to get a good deal. I paid $500 below invoice.

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  02 Quest - 2002 Nissan Quest
  By apollo_ten - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive...as fun as a minivan can be.

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  A Pleasure to Drive - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By samudra - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought it at 73000 miles, and am pleased with its performance and ride quality.

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  Please Read - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Rosalie - June 3 - 2:00 am

  The sound system in this vehicle is one of the worst Ive ever heard. I had a better one in my 1972 Pontiac!!!

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  . - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By albepositive - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has given me absolutely no problems whatsoever. I have replaced tires, air filter, and oil, just routine maintenance. Car has decent acceleration with 5-speed manual, very good braking and excellent handling. Road noise with sporty tires on some types of pavement can be annoying and tires are not best invery wet and snowy conditions. My gas mileage has been so so, around 24-25 mpg probably from excessive speeding! For the money I paid, $16,900, this car is a great value, nothing outstanding, but nothing to complain about either. Based on this vehicles reliability I would buy a Nissan again

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  Great Vehicle Fun to Drive - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By pintac - June 3 - 2:00 am

  The Murano is a great car. Nissan has outdone itself in quality and looks. This SUV is comfortable, rides quitely and it looks very nice. I would reccommend this vehicle to anyone looking for safety, performance and looks