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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  Little Big One - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Tonya Fraga - August 18 - 3:46 pm

  Before I ever test drove this car, I climbed in the back seat to see about the leg room. There was tons! This car is roomy both front and back seats, but the outside of this car makes it look tiny. It maneuvers thrive traffic very well and gets into small parking spaces. I love this car!

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  Murano SUV as good as the glass - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Magalhaes - August 18 - 4:16 am

  Murano, the glass, is made in an small island off Venice. Unique, beautiful and high valued, it is a perfect name for Nissans classy urban SUV. After 2 years of owner ship, I have no complaints whatsoever. It put to good use the 3 letters: Sport - accelarates, handles an brakes like a sports car; Utility - plenty of room for an average family of 4; Vehicle - in the sense that it does not look like or handles like a truck. But its style is not for all: it does demand a higher degree of design appreciation than most folks have...

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  Oh Baby! The 350Z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Connie Baxley - August 18 - 2:16 am

  This is my second Nissan 350Z. It is an awesome car. In it you feel like you own the road. You are truly in sync with your car behind the wheel. When not driving it, you cant wait to get int! It is a sexy car, and it gets lots of looks. Having a bad day? Job driving you crazy? Mad at your spouse? Kids making you pull your hair out?... no problem just go and drive your Z. Gas mileage for me? 23.8 mpg city. On a trip 32 mpg. Not bad for the thrill a Z can give you.

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  One Problem After Another - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By Scott - August 18 - 12:03 am

  Avoid the 2000 Nissan Sentra at all cost. I have already put a new transmission in and just spent around $1,000 to get an inspection sticker. I found out that the car was assembled in Mexico. I will never buy another Nissan.

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  Very happy - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Ryan - August 17 - 1:33 pm

  You wont go wrong with this car! I drove all other major competitors and this one beat them (in price and creature comforts) hands down. I was skeptical of the CVT at first, but I absolutely love it now. I am a big guy and fit in this car very comfortably. Go Nissan!!

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  A Real Race Horse! - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By wylygt - August 16 - 8:10 pm

  I bought the "S" model with all the options of the "SE" except the fog lights and expanded sound/CD option. This SUV runs like a race horse! When you push on the gas, you can really feel the 265HP go! Ride is like a truck but not real bumpy... takes the dips excellent and bumps good. Rides like a car on the highway. 4WD is outstanding! In 3 weeks I have driven over 2000 miles with about 100+ in 4WD. It will go just about anywhere off road or in mud. (I have not driven in snow, yet.) Tracksion is great, especially in 4WD LO. I feel very secure going to my favorite camping/fishing location. Really fun to drive!

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  Love my New-Used Nissan 370Z Roadster! - 2014 Nissan 370Z
  By Shelina Berry - August 16 - 6:19 pm

  You need to be short and small to own this car. It can be tough to get in and out of. Also, forget being able to put the seats back to rest. There is no storage, so hope you dont need to travel. That being said, this car is awesome. It is amazingly fast, and takes curves sweet! I am so happy with the car (despite the rough ride, which is standard with most sports cars). I love having the top down and seeing people give me thumbs up, nods, or a "nice car". I wish it was a little more roomy, but what do you expect for a sports car. The dealership I purchased the car from was amazing. They were willing to work with me and gave me quite a bit for my trade in to make this car affordable for me. I can truly say when it comes to buying another car, I will use this dealer again! And the Nissan. I dont see myself parting with it any time soon. :) Cheers Roadsters.

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  What a bargain - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By pofromchgo - August 16 - 3:50 pm

  I picked this car for my parents, this is not the sentra of old, we traded in a 95 sentra gxe that was still going after 100,000 miles, we bought this one for $1000 LESS than what we paid for the old sentra with ALOT more features. This car has more horsepower than the old one, and alot of great new features that the old car didnt have!

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  First Truck - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By Dapoet - August 16 - 3:43 pm

  This is my first truck after years and years of owning luxury vehs (2 Jaguars XJ8s) and numerous other vehicles. I needed a vehicle that was functional, reliable and had power to boot. Although this truck may not win awards on gas mileage, it does fairly well if you drive like you have some sense. I opted for the flex fuel model, and I love the fact that I am paying just at $2.00/gal for gas!! I would def recommend this vehicle to others. And I have driven just about every model of truck out there due to my job. Strong toss between Titan and Tundra... with rebates and styling, Titan won!

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  Pleased at 16k - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By slingshot - August 16 - 9:36 am

  Bought car 3/08 and now have over 16k. So far no trips back to the dealer. Getting 24mpg in suburban driving and averaging 30-31 highway at 70-75mph. Very happy with gas mileage with all this power. Continental tires have provided smooth quiet ride to go with extremely quiet engine, which compliments a great sound system. Have found seats very comfortable for long drives. Gauges and buttons easy to use/follow. Trunk plenty spacious and nice having fold down split rear seats. Worth having the leather seats (heated - works great) and the other additional options like heated mirrors. Worth it. Debated between the 4 & 6. Worth it to pay for the 6 for the quiet and powerful engine