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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  Saved my life - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By KP-C - December 2 - 11:13 pm

  I was recently involved in a major auto accident (thankfully not my fault). I was hit head on, then rolled 3-4 times travelling across all 3 lanes & the hard shoulder, only when my car nose dived into a grass verge did it come to a rest on my (drivers) side. All safety features that this car has as standard did their job. I was pulled from the wreckage with a couple of broken ribs & a lot of bruising on my torso. As each & every emergency service member said, the car saved my life. They couldnt believe what the car went through & yet I got out relatively unharmed. My next car? Another Murano! We were sold on the car from the safety features alone when we bought it, plus the CVT - awesome :

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  piece of crap - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By foxyirish - December 2 - 11:16 am

  Gas cap broken, it will not shut tight and will not open with pull switch inside the car. Trunk will not open by pull tab inside car or remote button. Will only open by key. Rear bumper loose and hanging on passenger side. Wheel bearings were replaced on driver rear within 6 months of purchase. Rear passenger side now need replaced. Difficult to start at times. I will NOT buy another Nissan Sentra. No freaking way.

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  Great Car! - 2012 Nissan Leaf
  By afriedma - December 2 - 5:15 am

  Ive only had my Leaf for a couple of weeks, but it is a great car; fun to drive and a novel experience. I just love that I havent visited a gas station since I got my Leaf. Its got peppy acceleration, a forgiving suspension, good handling, and a comfortable interior. Real-world range is only 75-80 miles, depending on speed, acceleration and climate control/headlight use. As long as that will work for you, the Leaf is a fine choice. We were drawn in by big discounts on 2012 models right now.

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  Sentra deserves a GREAT review! - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By OMalley - December 2 - 4:30 am

  The 2008 Nissan Sentra packs more bang for the buck than any of its competitors! Look at the comfort, "toys", reliability, longevity of the CVT, build quality, safety, and room (space) and cost, and its hands-down a Sentra winner!

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  Impressed - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Fletch - December 1 - 9:00 pm

  Im glad I came back for a second test drive. I didnt like the Murano when it first came out. Over time and all the positive reviews its had, I finally decided to check it out again. It has to be the best vehicle Nissan makes in my opinion. Its the perfect size and shows enough style to make a quiet statement. I bought the S model because the upper level ones are to pricey for what they are. I think all SUVs are fairly overpriced to be honest. This blows the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander away!

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  great value - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Stan - December 1 - 4:40 pm

  We paid $21750 in June 2005 for our S model with auto door and hatch. It has all the safety features we wanted standard and came at a great price. Pros: --huge interior space! --High ceiling, great head room --BIG and comfy seats! --fold flat 2nd row seats!! Beats all competitions except Dodge. --fold flat 3rd row seat. --safety features standard! Cons: --no split folding 3rd row!!! Bummer! Favortite features: back up sensor, auto door&hatch, comfy seats, airy interior, fold flat 2nd and 3rd seats. So far, weve had no problems with the van, except for a few very minor interior squeaks since day one. It gets 20 mpg with mixed driving. Best van for the money!

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  Lemon car - 2015 Nissan Altima
  By skwon - December 1 - 10:40 am

  After one day of ownership of brand new Altima SV, a leak was found and a part (valve assembly solenoid) was replaced twice under factory warranty. My Altima was considered as defective under lemon law, and Nissan and I have been trying to get a replacement since December 2014. It is March 2015 and I do not have the replacement yet. It is unclear at this point when I would receive the replacement. Such delay is due to my relocation, misleading Nissan dealership, and long processes in Nissan corporate. To Nissan’ credit, I was offered a “loaner” car (S trim, not SV). However, the driver side door of this loaner does not close when the temperature drops below 0.

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  I Love my Pathfinder!! - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By BrianBrianBrian - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I do alot of out of town and in town driving, still the most comfortable SUV Ive been in! I have the 4 wheel drive Safari Edition, and its probably the best ride Ive ever had in an a 4 wheel drive vehicle, feels like a car! Great for long trips, just enough room for us, handles great in wet weather, and just an over all GREAT vehicle! I wish it got better gas milage, but I think it has to do with the oversized off road tires Ive got on it, but it just looks so good, whod take them off? Id rather sacrafice the gas milage, than the look!

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  Great car - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By KD - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is one of the best cars you can get for the price you pay. There is no other car on the market that can do what this car can do for under 20K. Its got great acceleration and its just fun to drive with six speeds. The car handles smoothly and the seats are very comfortable. They hold you pretty well in place when you make those sharp turns. And for 17" wheels, the ride is extremely quite and smooth. The interior is spacious and there is a lot of trunk space. The car is big enough to fit 4 while sporty enough to have fun with. The gas mileage is good too for a car with this capability.

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  New Owner of Altima - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Rosalynnr - December 1 - 10:00 am

  My 2.5S (Altima) is beautify, however I thought it would be a lot smoother on bumps. Im wonder if I should get different tires.