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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  Nissan Gone Bad - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Nissan Owner - February 4 - 10:00 am

  It looks good from the outside, and the inside isnt that bad. The only bad things I have is the terrible MPG and the wind noise.I mean, 20/22 is terrible for a 4-cylinder with 143 horsepower.

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  What A TRUCK - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By cocky1 - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Before I bought my Xterra I read all kinds of reviews on it. And most of the reviews complained about the feel of the ride. Dont listen to all that crap about it being a bad ride. Test drive one for yourself and see. If you want a vehicle that looks like an SUV but acts more like A TRUCK this is the one to own. And lets not forget its A nissan so it built to last.

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  I would buy this car again! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Zorros 350 - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I have owned a Nissan product for over 20 years. This is my first "Z" and I waited a long time for it.

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  350 Z - - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By jmp - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I have never once questioned or regreted my decision to purchase this car. It is fun to drive and exciting to look at. The interior is roomy; meaning plenty of leg and head room, regardless of your height. The few minor interior design "issues" ( GPS cover) have been corrected on the 2004 model.

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  New Customer Satisfaction - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By j mallory - February 4 - 10:00 am

  As a former owner of 2 other Nissan cars [Sentras],I needed more room.When learning of the NEW interior design of the Altima and already loving its exterior design, after taking a test drive I knew that that was the CAR for me. I took the car on its first ride with me to the White Mountains of New Hamshire with some Very steep grades. That 175 hp engine operated superbly especially when more torque was needed. It drives smoothly and handled the sharp turns safely and level troughout the turns at 40 mp.When I started I had 700 miles on the speedoeter. at 1400 miles reading I was

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  Did not age well - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By Matt Russell - February 4 - 9:36 am

  My car has 70,000 miles on it. Between 50,000 and 70,000 I have had to replace the catalytic converter, the timing chain, the entire exhaust system, and a whole slew of sensors. The car has become a money pit. I enjoyed the car for the first 50,000 miles, but it has become an unreliable nightmare.

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  My great choice in vehicles - 2007 Nissan 350Z
  By drsinsco - February 3 - 8:33 pm

  After Driving my 350Z roadster, Driving sedans and SUVs for 40 years, was and is just driving. This vehicle is exotic fun. Driving it is a real pleasure and exciting to go places.

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  Ride Comfort - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By Gene - February 3 - 7:15 pm

  Ive looked into what can be done to improve the ride comfort of my 2014 Altima. So far, I have not found any recommended suspension improvements. Really noticeable sitting in the front right seat. I feel road bumps right through the seat and up my spine. The light weight of this car to improve gas mileage, results in too much road bounce on less then smooth road surfaces. Hit a pot hole, and the suspension feels like it bottomed out. On a smooth road surface, the car is quiet and comfortable. Engine compartment noise, on acceleration is too high. Ive been test riding other cars but the trade in value of my 2014 Altima is less then what I still owe on the car by several thousands of dollars. The appearance external and internal is super. But I would not buy another Nissan Altima.

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  Goodby Gas Station - 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Jack - February 3 - 6:56 am

  I only visit the gas station once every two weeks now, which is half as often as I did with my 2004 Acura TSX. I opted for the fully loaded tech package so I have all the goodies..navigation, Bose, rear back- up camera, etc. I think I enjoy the performance well enough for a hybrid.

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  The best after 50 years of driving cars - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Laccaro - February 3 - 5:10 am

  Had a 1999 jeep grand cherokee that gas mileage was 17 to 18 all the time. I am hard to please. I have a 2004 turbo Porsche with 444 hp. I looked at the suvs. that are out there. Took me 9 months. The Nissan Murano was just the best. Period. I have been around cars and have flagged races for years all over the country and have owned MGS to Delornes. Edmunds says the cvt trany saps power. I dont think he has driver the transmission. Quality is out standing. Everything fits and it all works as they say it should. If you want a good suv try one of these. A test drive will sell you as it did me.