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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  my Z experience - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By michael youngbear - October 29 - 4:23 pm

  I really like driving this car, everyday I get in the driverseat and go! It feels like driving a jet to me and the inertia (drifting) driving is my favorite thing about it. The feeling of not being in control but being in control get the passengers a pulse driving ride (pros only)! And I feel safe while driving it because the car just hugs whoever is inside and it also hugs the road just as good! i hope this review gives you potential Z car buyers no regrets.

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  WHAT A NISSAN - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By joylene101 - October 29 - 2:29 pm

  i am really disappointed with this car,first off the tires cost 400 a set and thats not it some coins fell down into the meter amp where the radio sits and shut my car down, had to get it towed and that cost me 560, now my ac will not blow cold the low ac side has gone out thats another 500 dollars. i hate this car

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  Great SUV - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Great SUV - October 29 - 9:33 am

  I have taken this car to sand/dirt roads were there was many pot holes, ruts, and 1-2 ft tall long bumps and it handles very well when rallying! In the rain it handles great with good tires. Handles well at 108 mph. I strongly recommend this SUV. Now for gas mileage I get about 16-18 mpg. Fun car to drive especially on long drives. If you by this car dont be afraid to give it gas!!!

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  Epic car - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Sharat ganta - October 29 - 7:00 am

  First in Dallas Fort Worth to buy and loving it. Fast acceleration 300 hp and still gives great mpg. Cool styling and great comfort with a lot of leg room. So many features you wont know till you buy and theres a sports mode too! Cool led daytime running lights and spacious inside with huge panoramic roof! Awesome car period.

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  83,000 and no probles at all! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By Ray - October 28 - 5:37 am

  83,000 miles and no problmes. Im going to flush the cvt trans before I hit 90,000 miles. I have changed the oil every 7,500 miles. I love the car.

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  2013 Versa 3800miles - 2013 Nissan Versa
  By wakeride - October 28 - 2:29 am

  Has no storage for driver to access items like center console. Drove me crazy so I bought one off ebay for $45 works and matched perfect. No place for glasses either. Cup holders are placed odly to far up and the others to far back. No inside trunk release. Complained to dealer right corner panel loose and no place to hang gas cap they told me all versas are like that? Very squirley on fwy in wind and rides a little rougher than I would expect for a new car . but I do like the car even with these negatives see favorite features.

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  Excellent value - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By milehidweller - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I am driving this car for 10 month now and have 14kmi on it. Here are my minor complaints. Lousy tires. You buy a car like this for performance and the stock tires are a real spoiler. $500+ wasted. Ride and handling on SE are sporty, but not excellent, ride is a bit harsh, and cornering a bit sloppy. Some of the ergonomics could be better. Heater controls are hard to fine tune without looking. Two more rotary dials: for zone selection and for temp setting would be better. Power mirror control is too touchy and hidden under the steering wheel. Gas pedal is too far to the right and too close to the brake pedal. Seats are just okay, not really great.

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  Find path - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Christophe W. - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Safe, confident and reliable handling. SUV with an identity crisis-look like a SUV, quiet & refined like a luxury car and handling and power akin to a moderately priced sports car! So-so cargo room, especially with rear seats reclined. Excellent visibility.

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  2004 Armada - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By hhlewis - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The new armada will be a front runner in the full size SUV market. With the most horse power in its class.And the interior room. Its also a good value for the money.

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  Driver Seat Rocking Movement - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By TripleC - October 28 - 2:00 am

  During my test drive I felt the seat slightly rock backward when accelerating from a dead stop. You could also hear nuts, bolts, plastic, or whatever it was, make a clicking sound when this happened. Dealer was suppose to fix prior to purchase, but said they can not fix it because it is the power seat. Bedford Nissan shrugged their shoulders and said "oh well". With some bumps you feel and it sounds as if the metal frame hit the bump. Overall, I like the vehicle but the seat movement is driving me crazy, especially knowing that it is a brand new vehicle.