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:

• 

  Poor - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By altima2.5s - October 25 - 11:23 pm

  I purchased the car and less than 200 miles and the transmission does not want to shift out of park, The interior brake light will only come on when the shifter wants to come out of park. The exterior brake lights come on but thats not the problem, the transmission can be released by a pushing a key into the key release slot. But its definitely a hassle to have to have to put a key in there every time to shift into a different position. And thats what the dealership told me to do.

• 

  New car NIssan Sentra XE 2001 - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By marine11 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Good vehicle so far. A little rattly when driving. Leg room in back could be alot better. The car is overall a good car, although the dealership never gave me a owners manual, and will not get me one. I think this should be included in a new car.

• 

  A JAPANESE M-5 - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By CarGuy - October 25 - 2:00 am

  EVEN THE LOCAL STATE POLICE LOVE THIS CAR. I ACTUALLY SAW ONE BEING PUT TO USE TO CATCH SPEEDERS. ITS A CAR THAT GIVES YOU MORE FOR YOUR MONEY AND THATS ALWAYS A WINNING FORMAULA. THANKS NISSAN FOR BUILDING THE CAR I WROTE TO YOU ABOUT.

• 

  A Great Choice - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By stroblight63 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun, large car to drive, in a good price range

• 

  Good Choice - 2011 Nissan Pathfinder
  By missmelo - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This is a great suv. I have had it for less than a week and I am in love. The Edmunds review does not mention that the SV has a 6 disc cd changer as well. The 7 inch screen in the car is phenomenal. I love the fact that it has a rear view camera so that you can watch behind the vehicle on the screen as soon as you shift the gear into reverse. I bought a slate gray color. It has the metallic look and looks really good at night. You can also adjust the brake pads to go higher or lower so that is great for comfort. Especially if you are a short person like me you don;t have to worry about being right over the steering wheel to drive.

• 

  The best MAX ever - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By dk1navy - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I have to tell everyone Im totally enjoying the ride of the Maxima. When i drive it i feel like Im in the Bat mobile. the car has great pickup and shift smoothly from one gear to the next. I just traded in my 2001 MAX for this 2009 and I feel like I jump into a time warp the features and style of driving is light years difference.

• 

  Awesome Car - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By Ram - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Saw it for the first time and fell in love with this sporty looking cross mini SUV

• 

  Hands down best bang for dollar in class - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Kathrine - October 25 - 2:00 am

  My Altima came home with 65k (highway) miles, Although it was one year old. I must attribute the condition of the car to Nissans absolute dedication to build quality. We just turned 87k on the odometer today. It still feels like a New car (mostly). Bottom line-Take care of this car and It Will take care of you. Punch the Audio power button and your paying for a new stereo. I truly love my Altima. hated the song. Absolutely Impressed with it. yeah the battery had a dead cell. $80 later I have 600CCR :) Forget the Sedan stigma. My 2006 Accord coupe V-6 was less of a car all around. I prefer it over our 2006 Toyota Avalon. I sit in the garage for hours just to be in my car!

• 

  mah nissan - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By troy - October 25 - 12:16 am

  really really , nice powerful v8 nice looking turn head nice powerful growl lol ~1~

• 

  Great Motor Wrapped in Crappy Exterior - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By vq35de1 - October 24 - 7:04 pm

  I didnt buy this car out of love for Nissan or the Maxma, I just wanted a big sedan with creature comforts for not much money. This fulfilled that need. Granted, the car IS ten years old now but in the two years that Ive owned it Ive gone through 4 rear calipers, a new radiator, an O2 sensor, trailing arm bushings, and much, much more - I would say Ive spent over $4,000 in repairs thus far. The other thing is this fantastic motor (not sarcasm)0 uses oil and gets piss poor MPG in any kind of mixed driving.