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:

• 

  For the money, cant beat it! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Jeff - August 20 - 10:33 pm

  This car is patterned after the Renault Tida, which is a staple in the European market. We took 4 grown adults on a beach trip and easily accommodated everyone (and luggage) comfortably. The CVT provides excellent acceleration for keeping up with trucks on the interstate. It feels like a golf cart gas peddle, seamlessly accelerating or decelerating with the pressure on the peddle (no herky-jerky gear shifting).

• 

  Great Little Car - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By hotchocolate - August 20 - 11:26 am

  I love this car. This is the fourth Nissan Sentra that I have purchased over the years. Also owned a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am (Junk) and a 2000 Honda CRV which I enjoyed owning. The Sentra is so much fun to drive. It is black and the 1.8s Special Edition with the sports package and the audio package.

• 

  Great Little Car - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By hotchocolate - August 20 - 11:10 am

  I love this car. This is the fourth Nissan Sentra that I have purchased over the years. Also owned a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am (Junk) and a 2000 Honda CRV which I enjoyed owning. The Sentra is so much fun to drive. It is black and the 1.8s Special Edition with the sports package and the audio package.

• 

  my first purchased car ! - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By STEVE GONZALEZ - August 19 - 7:28 pm

  I bought this 99 Nissan maxima when I was 21 the car looks great ran great as others I have had coil problems but after fixing them It was good. used only synthetic oil ! only used 76 gas . 87 unleaded of course. I have changed the oil seals myself. the car still runs great. reseale value totally blows I rather keep it. the purchase value was outrageous. I dont know what I was thinking.. if you drive it fast you burn the gas as fast. being it is a v6 ! I love my maxima I also have a 2007 Honda accord. cant compare them.. the maxima has great speed and the better engine. I think. the accord handles a lot better great on gas. but I will always love my maxima ! being that I am from California and the roads out here are bumpy I love my v6 to out run the smaller 4 sissy cylinder cars out here.

• 

  Best crossover on the market in many ways - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Steven - August 19 - 7:26 pm

  Ive driven 986 miles and car performed exceptionally well. CVT gives very smooth and comfortable ride, especially at traffic jams, "stop and go". Brakes are excellent. Seats are comfortable, dash is elegant looking. This is SL AWD version with all the possible options except leather seats. The combination of the utility, AWD, fuel economy, outlooking, overall quality and smart design were the selling points for me. Im getting 30 mpg with a/c on on most of the time during a trip to Pennsylvania during long Memorial weekend. Today I just found I had 23.8 mpg on my second tank of gas with mixed heavy local traffic and highway driving. Excellent crossover, excellent.

• 

  Bulletproof - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Doc - August 19 - 4:10 pm

  Ive owned quite a few cars in my days, but this is the best! The Maxima is not only bulletproof, but it is easy to mod if you are into that. Dollar for dollar it has to be the best car on the road. My 4th gen is still a timeless style. I love the giddyup this car has when I dust those Honda ricers who want to play. Not your Grandmas grocery getter!

• 

  Murano has power - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By laude - August 19 - 1:56 pm

  I find the new transmission a bonus, it does not detract from performance. Easy and fun to drive, all the features I wanted and none that I did not. Nissan never sees a Murono in the shop or on the lot. They only need sparkplugs at 105,000 miles. Outside of an oil change and tires, this is a no maintaince vehicle. Great visibility.

• 

  Coupe de Grace - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Coupe de Grace - August 19 - 12:23 pm

  I wanted to buy the 2007 Altima SL sedan, but the coupe caught my eye and my imagination. I test drove it and I knew I had to have this car! The leather seats are very comfortable and the sound system is excellent. Handing at all speeds is precise without being overly sensitive, and the 2.5L engine is powerful (and economical) enough for me, having had a S 2004 2.5S Altima sedan. I cannot say enough about the Continental tires - they grip tenaciously in wet weather and are quiet. Trunk space is very limited so you may need to put stuff in the rear seat. Smaller folk should be able to access the rear seat, but adults will find it difficult to enter and exit. The rear visibility is limited.

• 

  great car - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By ahr2 - August 19 - 10:00 am

  This is my second max I still own my 1995.This 2010 is the feel of a sports car with a little more room. The features on this model are great. The heated seats and steering wheel are my favorite.

• 

  Fun Car - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By Foley - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my car for one day but already a few things I like/dislike. I really love the comfort and power of the car. I have the Prem Package w/ Prem Tech package. The nav is good, not great. Thus far the most disappointing thing is the Voice Activation System. It takes too long to do anything with it. Like, when you press the button, it ask questions and you have to wait until the thing is done talking before you can talk. Then you move to the next level and it ask another series of questions that you have to wait through. Then finally you get to do what you want. They need to add short cuts. I might not be doing it right though. I cant complain though, great car.