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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  Sweet little car - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By kimba821 - January 26 - 4:10 am

  This is the first non SUV Ive owned in over 15 years, and Im lovin it! I got the Special Edition, with the awesome Rockford Fosgate stereo, and the sport package. Great gas mileage, kicken stereo, plenty of power, all in a sporty looking car, for under 15 grand.

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  sweet - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By eric - January 26 - 3:06 am

  it tows my 30 foot toyhauler really good but it needs a lil more bottom end for climbing but overall it is a excellent truck

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  2011 brand new - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By sghill1 - January 26 - 2:56 am

  Purchased the car today (10-14-11) with 100 miles on it. Off the lot for 22,000. 3,000 less than Honda, Toyota and 5k less than Subaru. Pretty well equiped and gives a great ride. "Rubber band" transmission runs very well at 75 mph on the freeway.

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  Great SUV for the buck - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By New pathfinder owner - January 25 - 5:26 pm

  Just recently purchased a low mileage, used 2006 Pathfinder SE. Pretty base setup but has the sunroof and Bose Premium sound system in it. On the road it handles pretty well. V6 has a lot of punch to it and suspension makes the ride pretty smooth. Fuel economy is as expected in this SUV so no surprise there however, its not as bad as some other ones with V8s. Havent taken this off-road yet however I think it would perform pretty well regardless.

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  Disappointed with some things - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By masonlane - January 24 - 11:10 pm

  Weve had our Versa for almost 2 years. Within the first 8 months, we lost a hubcap. No biggie, we replaced it. Three weeks later we lost another one. Nissan said it wasnt covered under the warranty! Weve replaced a total of four BROKEN hubcaps (2 on the back passenger side fell off) and now a 5th one is ready to come off! The clips break & they dont go back on, except for the 2 that the center fell out and the ring stayed attached to the tire! Nissan says its not a design flaw! Whatever!!! Ive been driving for 20 years and prior to owning the Versa, I lost ONE hubcap after I had a tire changed & it wasnt put back on properly. But at least it didnt break, it went back on the car!

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  Many Nissans owned - 3 Quests - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Nissan Guy - January 24 - 8:50 pm

  My wife and I have owned an Altima, Pathfinder, two Maximas, and three Quests, 2004, 2007, 2008, all SEs. Our first Quest was great mechanically except for the sliding door rattles that Nissan fixed the next year. We found the road noise to be quieter after replacing the Good Year tires with Bridgestone. 2007 had front end issues fixed under warranty, no door rattles, but we got hoodwinked by the Michelin PAX tires so we just traded for the 2008. I think it will be quieter again after removing the Good Year Eagle tires. I have had Eagles on other vehicles without the road noise but not the Quest. We have loved all of our Nissans. They have rarely if ever had to visit mechanics.

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  watch out now... - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By josh - January 24 - 3:00 pm

  Driving on a trip yesterday, I saw an F-150 with a decal of the "Bad Calvin" doing what he does best on the word "Imports" Lets just say I drove up next to it, smiled, and blew by and far away from the Ford. Nissan has got it right- watch out Ford and Chevy. This truck is comfy (SE with all options) as well as rugged. We travel all the time, and love it. Plenty of room, even in the King cab, and even with our 2 100 lb dogs riding in the back. (Folding up seats back there kick arse) Best bang for your buck without a question- gas mileage... well, its a truck, but it does do better than all of the others. Side by side comparisions- most room, best performace, and best price.

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  FYI - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By CtNissanBuyer - January 24 - 1:00 pm

  Drove the SE last after checking out the Trailblazer,Explorer and Grand Cherokee Laredo.If you are looking for the most car-like ride,which we were,then head straight for your nearest Nissan Dealer.We bought the vehicle right off the lot,SE popular pkg w/auto trans.,body side moulding and floormats for $200.00 over invoice.Take the rebate and 5.9% APR instead of no rebate and 3.9 APR,you will save about $8.00/mo for 48 months.Dealership was great...no hassles or aggrivation.

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  Poor mans G35 indeed! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By DJ - January 24 - 9:46 am

  Was looking at the G35/37 to begin with. Took at look at the 3.5 SE with CVT and decided that for a lot less money, it was almost as much fun to drive. Mid range power is great. If you can afford all the bells and whistles, do it. Add the sport package like I did and you almost forget its not the coupe! Its also way more stable in the snow and ice than the 2005 Volvo S40 I traded in for it!

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  SO-SO - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Paul - January 24 - 3:23 am

  Bought a 2010 S AWD with 360 package at the end of February...just hit 2500 miles. The negatives: the engine revs a bit when you first start the car, and seems to be working awfully hard at lower speeds when youre accelerating (up over 3000rpm). It settles down once you reach freeway speeds and cruises quite comfortably at 75. Acceleration is lacking. I always feel like Im pushing it to get it to respond, especially city driving. Im 61" and the drivers seat rides a little high...not adjustable. The material on the seats doesnt look like its going to wear very well...already ballooning in places. Positives: Its great in the snow, looks nice and didnt cost nearly as much as a Murano!