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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  So far pretty good but some disappointme - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Momof3sons - November 20 - 6:00 am

  We shopped around for a while before deciding on the Quest. Overall, the price, appearance, and interior room sold us. Really impressed how roomy it feels inside with all five of us in there -- but we were disappointed with some of the interior parts that either fell out or broke within a day of getting it. AC vent on celing fell right out onto my sons head without even touching it, and a button under the steering wheel jammed in and cant be retracted. Hate to have to go to the dealer for that. I think they could have given a little better quality to the inside and a split bench in the back would have been great. Otherwise, for the money, good deal.

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  The good the bad &the ugly! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By lee866 - November 19 - 7:30 pm

  Well,bought the car in January 07.Refused to buy the cvt transmission as it was untested. Man am i glad reading the other reviews. Seems these cvts are junk!Our 5 speed auto runs great. We get 30mpg city summer/winter. Traded a5yr old Xterra which was a great car with bad mileage. The only trouble we have had is in getting the underbody wash at the car wash in the winter.Water got into the fuel tank breather and froze solid. Dealership replaced everything under warranty including the charcoal canister. Dont get the underbody spray anymore! Weird smell when you turn on heater. Taking it back for clunk in front end. Whole front just feels loose. All in all half the price of the Xterra twice the mileage

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  2001 Altima - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By woodrow ban - November 19 - 2:00 am

  A very reliable and competent car. Nothing about the car reaches out and grabs you. It just starts and runs every day. Handling comfortable, but not exciting. Acceleration more than adequate, but wont excite you. If you want comfortable, decently appointed, reliable transportation, this is it. Short legged/armed drivers will feel more at home than gangly drivers. Particularly, shorter women will like the cars seating. Opt for a sunroof. It makes the interior brighter, and makes the car seem more open and spacious.

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  ROUGH RIDE - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By ORION53 - November 19 - 2:00 am

  OWNED TWO EXPEDITIONS BEFORE THIS ARMADA. GREAT POWER AND THE TEC PACKAGE IS FANTASTIC....TURNS ON A DIME AND HAS A SUPER SOUND SYSTEM. THE RIDE IS WAY TO BUMPY AND I HAVE EVEN REDUCED TIRE PRESSURE TO EASE THE TEETH RATTLING RIDE.....MAYBE MICHELIN TIRES WILL HELP... IF I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN I WOULD GO BACK TO THE FORD EXPEDITION.

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  Best Bang for the Buck! - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Tom - November 19 - 12:10 am

  Im a mid-to-later aged guy who is basically lazy and let me tell you that this car with the telephone modem and keyless entry is a dream! Except for the fact that its a bit tall and thin so it doesnt have the stability of, say, my honda civic, it is a really a great car and has a lot of room inside and in the hide away trunk. I only get about 26mpg but Im a heavy-footer. Ive broken the darn drivers mirror off twice in my tight garage so I think they need to be "foldable". The mpg avg on the dash is a joke but the radio is great. I have noticed that the tire pressure is a major issue and between the low pressure alarm as well as veering to one side or the other.

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  Still going strong - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By DavidH - November 18 - 5:50 am

  Bought this vehicle brand new in 01 - a few minor issues, all taken care of under warranty. Had it in Alaska for 4 years - terrific in the snow, even better with winter tires. Drove straight from Alaska to Georgia - no problems with comfort or handling. Currently have around 53K miles on it, only maintenance has been regular oil changes. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Altima - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By NissanAltima002 - November 17 - 10:00 am

  I was really looking for a car to haul a lot of stuff and I looked at the Altima and was compelled!!! The exterior is awesome thuoght the interior is very plasticy and cheap. IMO Nissan should redo the whole interior for all our sakes.

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  Upholstery - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Susan M. - November 16 - 8:40 pm

  My husband has had 4 Nissan trucks in the past 25 years, two of them still going. This is my second Altima. I love the car except for the upholstery. Its been in 2 times for ripples and puckers in the drivers seat, problem with material. The passenger side is doing the same thing but the dealership wont replace it - says its not bad enough yet.

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  Road Worthy - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By Sigapp - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Excellent reliable vehicle that doesnt want to stop at every gas station. An excellent freeway cruiser.

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  My Pathfinder - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Boomer - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I have been very pleased with my Pathfinder ever since I purchased it! Most of all I am happy with the power, reliability{We have had ours over three years and not one problem} and the way it rides like a car and not a truck. If it was just a little bigger it would be perfect. I would buy another one in a minute, even with a growing family like ours!