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 SUV - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By TWEETY - February 22 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE OWNED A SUV. I LOVE THE ROOM IN MY XTERRA. I HAVE RECEIVED SO MANY COMPLIMENTS FROM PASSENGERS IN THE BACKSEAT. THEY LOVE THE STADIUM STYLE SEATING. I WILL NEVER OWN A CAR AGAIN!!

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  Nice truck - 1999 Nissan Frontier
  By RodneyK - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Touchy Gas pedal, hard to control. Gear ratios very low, goes in 5th gear at 30mph no problem. High rpm at 70mph. Could use an overdrive. Otherwise very nice truck.

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  Drives like a car, performs like a truck - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Chris G. - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I waited to submit a review until after I had my Pathfinder for almost a year, and I have nothing by great things to say. The Pathfinder, much more than any other mid-size SUV, drives like a car. Handling is impeccible and accelleration is smooth and responsive. Plus, the 4WD performance is very capable for the typical SUV owner. My only complaint, and its a small one, is that itd be nice to have a little more shoulder room in the drivers seat. Im a broad-shouldered guy, so the roomier the better. But Im being picky because everything else about the Pathfinder is wonderful!

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  KICKS ASS FOR LESS$$$$$$ - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By NISSANMAN - February 22 - 10:00 am

  GREAT SUV!!!! GETS MANY LOOKS, KINDA HARD TO GET GAS. I HAVE TO ANSWER SO MANY QUESTIONS. I HIGHLY RECCOMEND THIS NISSAN.

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  Nissan Altima - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By package - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Car has exceptional ride and smooth handling. Power isnt too bad for a 4 cyl. car.

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  nice machine for the bucks. - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By soy saus - February 22 - 10:00 am

  So far so good. For the money I spent, very satisfied. Shopped around for quite a while before the purchase.

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  MURANO IS A TOP CHOICE AMONG SUVS - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By GOODCHOICE - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED MY MURANO FOR FIVE MONTHS NOW, AND IM VERY PLEASED WITH THE OVER- ALL PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE. ITS FUN TO DRIVE AND GREAT TO LOOK AT BOTH INSIDE AND OUT. I WISH THE ENGINE COULD BE MORE QUITE ON UPHILL WHEN ACCELERATING. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED OCCASSIONALLY A SLIGHT RATTLING NOISE FROM DRIVER-SIDE DOOR PANEL AND ABOVE THE GLOVE BOX AT HIGH SPEED IF THE ROAD A LITTLE BUMPY . WILL BRING BACK TO DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. DESPITE THESE MINOR ISSUES, ITS A SUV DESERVES HIGH MARKS.

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  Hands Down Best Nissan Has built to Date - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Maximus million - February 22 - 10:00 am

  This is my 3rd Max and it is hands down the best one Ive owned. I also own 1996 Gle. Nissan has out done themselves with this model. Me and wife fight over who is going to drive it next.

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  CA Lemon Law - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Weebfive - February 22 - 5:16 am

  If you live in California and you have had more than two safety related issues (brakes) seek the advise of an attorney. My wife and I purchased our Armada 10/03 and @ 4k miles we had our first brake problem (warped rotors). The dealer machined the rotors and replaced the pad. @ 9k miles warped rotors again. The dealer replaced the rotors and new pads. Again @ 13k & 16k warped rotors. Because of all the vibration (warped rotors) that went on during the braking it cause a lot of the interior components to loosen up & made the Armada sound cheap inside. We had other problems with the tire pressure monitoring system, Windows & air conditioning. Nissan reluctantly refunded our money. CA lemon law

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  Never mind hybrid - 2010 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By one - February 22 - 5:10 am

  I drive this as a company vehicle. Nissan spec 35MPG city has to happen yet. I drive it very gently and it gets around 25MPG when cold. When driving in cold weather, it takes around 10 miles of driving before the vehicle starts going in EV mode. Once the EV mode starts working, MPG get better, around 31MPG. Engine restarts are very noticeable with some hesitation. For those reasons I would never buy this as personal vehicle as the gas sevings are marginal and do not justify the extra sticker price and possible problems associated with extra technology. Go with the 2.5 gas instead.