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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  Xterra - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By intercom - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle, drives like a truck, but in a good way, is great off road.

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  2003 xtera xe 4wd 3.3 6c - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By marty90OP - August 29 - 2:00 am

  over all a very pleasent vehicle if not a little under powered and hungry on gas. I have had the opertunity to use it to tow on a long trip,(240 miles and towing 1000lbs) and it was not bad, but was hard to keep up to speed without shifting down a gear on hills. Have yet to use it in snow, but I have heard about its good off road capabilities so Im looking forward to it.

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  Weak on power until - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By theodore popee - August 26 - 11:56 am

  Weak on power untill I adjusted timing up, not so much it pings just before. Still 2.4 engine does not have the power 2.5 altima motor has This truck has style large hauling compasity jump seats behind passenger 24 mpg need to keep rpm up if you want speed steers a little hard with power steering for an old man with open heart,

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  My Nissan Sentra - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By Shawn - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Sentra in 2005 brand new and I have 113,000 miles on it. It has never started up for me on the first try, have to try over and over. Already had the fuel pump replace 2 years after purchase. Ive had to have the rear shocks and springs replaced after 2 months of purchase. Ive been really good on keeping up with the maintenance on this car. The gas mileage range isnt that great except on really long trips with the A/C off! Sound system is great! The cup holders are in the worst possible spot! I do not like the way my Sentra rides, I can feel every bit of the road. There is no leg room for anyone in the back without the driver and the passengers knees to be in the dashboard.

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  Not happy - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By MS - August 25 - 11:06 pm

  The transmission was changed at 4K. Then trunk open button repaired. Car makes strange sounds that is not continues, dealer says it is normal. The trunk makes a click when open and close due to the two-rod design. I used to drive Toyota Camry; this car is far below the level of Toyota. It has a sport body, keyless engine start and many other options, which does not add to the performance. Dealer says the car built with many motors to operate components, which explain the strange sounds. If I had to buy a car, I would not consider Nissan.

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  Just needed a car at the time! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By bcrichman - August 25 - 10:37 am

  My last 2 cars were BMWs and the last 2 years were rough for me financially. I had spent over 7k i car repairs on my BMW Z3. Overheating problems caused me to blow 2 headgaskets within a 6 month span. I was no longer making 6 figures and needed a recent model car with reliability for around 10k. The 2008 Versa was my best option. More room than Sentra even though its a subcompact. Very comfortable, 1.8 engine has alot of pep and the car does not feel cheap. it feels well built. I bought it with 55k miles and it rides and handles like a new car. Very reliable, had it for over a year and it drives very well. Tons of cargo room in the trunk. The back seats have room like a full size car!

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  First Nissan Good Car - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By Mike - August 24 - 10:16 am

  I think this car is great to have, I bought like a week ago for 1300, w/ 111000 miles on it. It runs great, good on gas, and reliable. I gotta go against everyone on this though I love where the cupholders beats the civics, after all I have had Hondas. I like the performance for a 1.6 and the interior such as the seats very comfortable. I have back problems and the seats are better than integra seats. I am mad though because I keep getting check engine due to (EGR) Electronic Gas Recirculation reading on ecu.

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  Xterra - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By Ralph - August 23 - 10:06 pm

  Very good to drive much like a car. A little stiff on bumps. Very roomy for sitting front and back. The Xterra is not for a big family, not enough storage room inside. A very fun SUV for two or three people.

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  tires - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By JessieM - August 23 - 2:13 pm

  My tires keep going bad and front end alignment keeps having to be fixed.Its a good little car,but i cant afford to keep putting tires on it.

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  My Xterra - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Kaykamaka - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I love my Xterra, but am thinking of trading it in for a new car after our recent ice storm. I know that all cars have problems on ice, but I could not even get traction in my driveway. I felt very unsafe in it even after the roads cleared a little. The noise from the road is bothersome while on highway. Should come equipped with rainguards on the window. Basic interior, awesome exterior. Really sporty and fun to drive. Hard to clean interior for messy drivers (like me).