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 Altima S - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By urishj - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car to drive. Peppy, but with good fuel efficiency. Comfortably transports two adults, two children, and a mid-size dog. Much nicer to drive and significantly roomier than the Buick Skylark it replaced.

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  Shouldve bought one sooner - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By hartotis - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Even though Ive only had the car for two weeks I am extremely impressed. Ive driven Jettas for the last fourteen years and had good luck with them but the Altima is a far better value. Very nice engine, large interior, might be nicest looking car in its class. Good sales experience with Brasso Nissan in Calgary as well.

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  Transmission oil cooler - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By gowen1 - March 22 - 8:23 pm

  I recently bought a 2005 Pathfinder at a mileage of 110k. After reading scary stories about radiator coolant mixing with trans oil, I decided to take a preemptive measure as suggested, i.e. disconnect coolant line from the radiator and add an external transmission cooler. I took my vehicle to Volksdoctor. David, the owner, is very nice man. When he was trying to find a spot for external cooler installation, he found there is a small cooler in the front of the radiator. Then he checked VIN online and found this vehicle has a separate trans cooler. I was so happy about it. Thus, check your vehicle before you add one, you might have it separated already.

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  Great car for the price! - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By CharlieLuvsBrookeAAF - March 22 - 4:03 pm

  Sure you can go out and spend 30 or 40k on a Benz, BMW, or a Lexus,,,but why? It is a fact the Nissans last just as long and are actually really nice cars. I would suggest this car to anyone. I am a family man with a small child and there is no other name other than Nissan that I would trust to put my child in. In 2004 We had a serious fuel pump problem which we should have gotten fixed. I decided I would hold off since it was going to cost 500 dollars to fix. I was riding down the road and the car just shut off. (This was in my 1997 Nissan altima ) Come to find out the mechanic said we would have all died in any other car. Nissan added a protective device that makes the car shut dow

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  AWESOME CAR - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Love It - March 22 - 3:26 pm

  I bought my 2 door Nissan Altima 3.5 loaded and have not regretted my decision. I would not recommend this vehicle for anyone with toddlers with rear facing car seat (booster seats are fine). I love the keyless strart and entry. When the battery goes dead (which has only happened once and that was just recently it was only $8 to replace the battery. Not bad for the convenience. My previous vehicle was a BMW X3 the Nissan is by far a better car.

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  95 Nissan Maxima - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By abready@erols.com - March 22 - 1:20 pm

  Great car with an interesting story. Previous owner would leave car at subway, and ride subway to work (reason for low miles at 62,000). That is, until 9/11 - he never came back to get it. Anyway, I am now the owner of a beautiful GXE that is in great shape, looks sharp, and is fun to drive! The angel riding with me is a big plus...

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  Get one, quick! - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By Miller5 - March 22 - 4:43 am

  Heres a decent car. All youve read about this car is true. You get styling, performance, great gas mileage, reliability, and good resale all in one 4-door package. Ive owned a V-6 Camry and I think this car is slightly better. Plenty of head room for me (63") even with a sunroof. Go for the SE, as you get firmer suspension, better looks and a 5-speed option. If you can find a 99 SE-L, youll get spiffy options like a 5th lap belt, 120 extra watts of Bose (like it needed it...), and neato titanium-colored badges as well as cheesy "SE-L" emblems tacked onto various parts of the car. Keep it in good shape, sell it in a few years, and you should get most of your money out of it.

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  My Dream Car - 1996 Nissan 300ZX
  By Kathy S - March 21 - 5:13 pm

  I bought my car, never test driven by others, with 3 miles on it. She now has 218K and runs like shes still new. All the power, all the beauty, all orginial parts including engine & transmission! Im finally ready to sell her, and find it so hard as I know Ill never own another car like this (hardwood floors winning out). The power makes this car fast, furious and fun. The handling is beyond perfect, and head turning quota off the charts. As a female owner, I loved being in the league with the mostly male owners of this car and everywhere I go am constantly asked if I will sell it. Sadly, my answer will now be yes. Hardly any expenses aside from normal upkeep. A dream to own!

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  The Rogue is wonderful! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By NewRogue2008 - March 21 - 11:23 am

  After test driving numerous cars and smaller SUVs, I kept coming back to the Rogue. It offers great features (not offered on other cars in its class), numerous safety features, and comfortable seats (unlike the Honda CR-V which I also had considered - the EX-L hurt my back like crazy after a 15 minute test drive). The Rogue has great fuel economy (for an AWD SUV), looks sleek, and drives so smooth! Its visibility compares to every other smaller SUV that I have ever driven. So, as a former sedan driver, visibility in my new Rogue seems just fine to me. I love it!

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  2006 Nissan Titan Rating - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Randolph Gordy - March 21 - 1:56 am

  Has plenty of pickup and can outmuscle most cars and trucks on the road and is very agile for such a large pickup. Body design is a plus. An eye-catcher. Most people think the Titan was made in Japan. But they are suprised when informed that the Titan was designed in California, built in Mississippi, and the motor was made in Tennesee. How American can a truck get? Wonder if some of the American made trucks can say the same thing?