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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  Great Car for a great price!!! - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By ptkchic - April 3 - 1:39 pm

  I bought this car about 2 months ago. I got the navigation package and the drivers package. I love the Intelligent key and the touch screen. The car handles well and it gets great gas millage. When I fill up, on the dashboard it says I get 450 miles for one tank! I get 33 in the city and 38 on the highway. I drive about 30 miles a day and I do not have to fill up for a week. I turn heads every where I go. I have had people ask me if it a Lexus or Acura. People tell me that they love the look of the car. This is my second Sentra (I had a 2011), I love this one more and it feels like a bigger car than it actually is. Great Car, I would recommend this.

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  Excellent car - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By Phil - April 3 - 11:40 am

  Bought this 07 Maxima for $15,000 CDN this spring. It had 116,000 km. I am impressed with its power, handling, and comfort. The stereo is great and it came with new Toyo tires.

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  Love it - 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By DAVID CARLSON - April 3 - 10:00 am

  This was my first Nissan and hybrid. The car is a pleasure to drive. Has room for three grand children in the back seat and with the four door model can enter and exit easily. I am glad I did not buy an SUV instead. Getting 37 to 39 mpg ans saving every day.

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  A Homerun - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By danimal - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Im researching my Pathfinder and had to jump in with my review. Nissan did extremely right by this vehicle and gave every owner what they paid for including this meticulous driver. My pathfinder has been virtually maintenance free on the replacement repairs but I maintain it in OCD style. I rated the MPG a little higher than most because you have to take into consideration the high performance motor powering it and this is why I purchased it. Never has a vehicle satisfied Me, with the exception of our G35, as this one.In a world of MPG crazed, gutless vehicles, Ill take my Pathy and pay for it all day. Do your own research and drive a few as I did and you will agree.

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  Bittersweet emotions - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By pp - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought my max new. Added billet grille & chrome wheels. So exciting! Major oil leak. Maintained by dealer exclusively (oil changed every 5,000 miles). At 105,000 the dealer recommended 10-30wt oil to muffle tapping noise in engine. Are hood, roof & trunk made of aluminum? Material is different than metal fenders. Although car was detailed professionally, the paint has totally faded and worn through to metal on hood & roof. Rest of ext is still shiny black. Embarrassing! Gray contact paper surrounding instr cluster is bubbling. Center console cushion has fallen off twice. Moonroof doesnt close without playing w/ switch. Auto tilt wheel doesnt always lift/lower when door opens.

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  Good truck for the money - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By ike - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck having had a 2wd version before and knowing what I was getting. I think it is a better value than the Tacoma, which I had that one as well. The Frontier engine feels stronger and gas mileage is better at around 19 to 19.5 with a 4wd. I like the so called hard plastic interior, it is easy to clean and maintain. Nissan builds a tough truck. It has a firm steering feel that controls well, but does bounce a little from having a stiffer suspension. The back seat even in a crew cab is for kids or cargo, not adults, but useful. Factory spray-in bedliner, utili-trak, and bed extender are absolutely wonderful and useful. Better price than Tacoma!

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  WAS a good car, we thought! - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By stallworthonline - April 3 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car about 2 months ago with 4200 miles on it. It was a dealership beater car for them. The car now has 8500 miles on it and its now in the shop having the engine replaced. As soon as we got the car, I realized the number of RPM the engine turned so I chose to switch to full synthetic Mobil1 5/30. After 2900 miles, my roommate came home and explained to me the car was ticking. I pulled the oil stick to reveal a clean stick, NO oil. Now, after 2 weeks and a new engine, Im still in a rental car because they cant get the new engine to run right either. Hope its fixed soon. Awesome gas mileage and comfortable. PLEASE LASSIE COME HOME. Hope no more problems after this!

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  2011 rogue awd - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By Nissandriver - April 3 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I purchased this rogue after owning a 2008 sentra. Wow what a great vehicle. If I would have known that this was available when we purchased the sentra, we would be reviewing a 2008 rogue. The gas mileage is better than expected and with 1000 miles on the car we are averaging 27 mpg. I always check the gas mileage by filling up at when empty and resetting the trip. This vehicle has a similar ride to the sentra, but you sit up higher. I am 6 foot 8 inches and still have room to be comfortable while operating the vehicle. We test drove a Toyota Rav4 before purchasing and surprising enough the drivers seat in the rogue has more room.

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  A top midsize contender - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By kiwi - April 3 - 5:10 am

  Overall this has been a great truck to own. its fun and easy to drive, with almost sporty handling and a very strong drivetrain. The driving position is comfortably upright with good all round visibility, easy controls and ample room for a six footer. Rear seats are cramped even for kids but theres good usable space back there for additional cargo. The utili-track bed system and factory applied bed liner are very practical. I dont know why all trucks dont have this as standard. The dealer took care of some initial interior rattles, but otherwise the truck has performed flawlessly. Hard interior plastics are showing there age already. Average real fuel economy is 17MPG, 14 City, 22HWY.

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  Buy the 3.5 engine 2.5 problem - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Mike - April 3 - 4:40 am

  Buy the 3.5 engine. The 2.5 has a screw that falls into the engine block and they will have to replace your engine. This is a problem Nissan knows about. Thats why they have increased the warranty on that engine. Buy Nissan but get the 3.5 engine. The fuel cost difference is little. Great car but if I knew then what I know now I would have bought the 3.5 engine. The catalytic converter recall is because of that screw. No other problems with the car except the engine and oil the engine eats. I have 60,000 miles on mine and only replaced the tires and brakes. Check the oil often because it eats oil. Make sure they add 4.5qts of oil and not just 4qts. Check oil every 1500 miles.