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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  Fun 2-Seat Coupe - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By No Business Of Yours - May 26 - 2:16 pm

  Bought one used after deciding I needed a new car. Went with the 350Z rather than a WRX or S2000 simply because its sexier than the Subaru and more muscular that the S2000. Been extremely satisfied so far. Drives like a dream, hugs through corners without a complaint, tranny is relatively solid though clunky, and even gets decent MPG for a sports car. Definitely turns heads, especially with the Solar Orange paint, as its more rare to see than the likes of Mustangs and Camaros. My only serious complaint so far is the interior quality -- the black paint- like surfaces are easily scratched up. The interior more or less looks like a cheaply constructed cockpit.

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  Poor Mans 4Runner - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By patrick - May 26 - 8:40 am

  I bought this truck in 99 because a comparable 4 runner was approx 3-4k more. It has been an excellent truck with only 1 major issue (trans) I left it sit outside a couple of salty Illinois winters and that killed the body. Runs awesome,bad a/c lousy mpg,very reliable,eats front brakes,looks cool.The trans would not go into reverse and cost 2250.00 to fix. I still have it with 150k cost me 9k in 1999 and its 2009 not bad considering everything. would buy another just watch for frame rust in rear on midwest and east coast vehicles.

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  Reliable Nissan - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By stewby - May 25 - 7:43 pm

  I bought my SE automatic used and now have over 83,000 miles on it. The horn quit working (broken wire in steering column) and an emission valve failed. Thats been it. Not even a bulb. I just do normal maintenance on the car. This is the best car Ive owned.

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  and my wife loves it - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Gary - May 25 - 7:16 pm

  I have been into 4x4,s since the 60s i have owned and driven some very good 4x4s and also some real dogs.I discovered some time ago that the Toyota and Nissan 4x4s seem to do the job well but also keep running and doing their job long after the others are in the boneyard. With this in mind I went looking for a new 4x4. As i have gotten older comfort on the highway has become more important than it once was. I find the pathfinder to be the very best compromise between highway and offroad.I love the motor and the highway ride.I found it also worked very well off road.places that would have had me spooling out the warn winch with the old fj40 landcruiser this thing took it in stride I love it.

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  Love this car - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Elise - May 24 - 3:06 pm

  I have had this car since my 16th birthday. I bought it brand new with only 4 miles on it. Still to this day, 8 years later, it drives amazing. I have driven it across country multiple times and treated it poorly, despite that this car has been a trooper. It has never broken down on me. The only things I have had to replace 150000 later are the tires, car battery, and a fuse fro the headlight which was $6. I love this car. Its very reliable and I couldnt have asked for a better deal and even though it has been paid off now for 3 years it is still running great and I have no car payment. This car is a real keeper and I hope my next car is as tough as this one.

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  The Ultimate Vehicle - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Ermenia - May 24 - 12:23 pm

  My armada is been great to own. I can take it anywhere and the ride is very smooth. The indicators in the dat for low tires, wiper fluid, etc are all easy to see and understand so there is never any concern about a problem coming up that I did not know about. It handles on the highway better than any vehicle, car or truck, I have ever owned (which is many since 1999). The acceleration is great. I do not have to worry when passing other cars or taking off from a stop that I will not make it around. It is been wonderful.

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  The Nissan twin turbo ZX is FAST - 1996 Nissan 300ZX
  By THE-FREAK13 - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the best racing experince of my life with this car. It will dust any cars in its class such as the Z28 camaro, a V8 mustang, and many more.

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  Nice Truck - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Craig Uhl - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Need more backseat leg room. More CD space. Dashboard gauges are hard to see in the day time (need to be a lighter color) 6 disc CD changer should be standard. Over all it is a very nice truck and fun to drive!!

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  Best Japanese Sports Car Ever - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Dolemite - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt even going to test drive this car after being anti-Japanese sports cars my whole life (always thought copied European designs and watered the character down). I was blown away by the Z. Great driving position, a transmission and steering with true feel, and excellent brakes too. Almost bought an M3 before driving this. Any real driver would be crazy not to take this car over a beefed up sedan that costs 20 grand more.

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  best car - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By albert george - May 24 - 10:00 am

  it is the car for all family i sugseged to person want agood car buy it