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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  2009 Murano - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Lillie - July 21 - 5:46 am

  I noticed in some old entries that Wind noise was a problem at 50 MPH and up.Coming from the left side windows and doors.At the bottom of the steering wheel, the extra piece is really not needed.The seat belt is too close to the seat,on the drivers and passengers side hard to lock. Something needs to be done to the wind noise..........

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  Best car EVER! - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Artemis - July 20 - 11:16 pm

  There are 5 cars in our driveway, yet the Altima Hybrid is the family favorite. The styling is classy yet sporty and the ride is luxurious. The quiet hybrid engine took getting used to, especially compared to our attention-getting souped up BMW Roadster. The car steers on a dime, the Bose sound system is amazing, and the seats are uber comfortable.

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  Wife thinks its cute! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Brian - July 20 - 6:33 pm

  Good around town runabout. Performance is good for this class of car. The 4 speed auto is to be desired. Lots of foot well space for my size 13s to shift a manual (if I had gotten it). The wife cannot drive stick so auto it is! Not much room for groceries but it does the job for a younger couple starting out. Over 4000rpm the engine gets obnoxious but cruises great in top gear at 2450rpm @60mph. Very quiet inside, not much wind noise etc. Its a bit sloppy on the road in high winds, but descent in the snow. Why is there no temperature gauge?? Come on Nissan! Alternator and most major parts are easily replaceable under the hood for those who plan to own for a long time!

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  Super Truck - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Dunn Transportation - July 20 - 12:10 am

  This is our second Nissan, but this one tops any vehicle owned before. For the power and economy nothing beats it. I have recommended this vehicle to my busines partner of whom also acquired the same vehicle with no regrets.

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  Creating a path for others to follow - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Lanlut - July 19 - 7:36 pm

  Ive owned this vehicle for about a week or so and I absolutely love it. I traded my beloved 02 Altima for the Pathfinder and I can honestly say I dont have any regrets. I bought the LE 2WD drive model. My vehicle has all of the amenities to include: leather/dual power seats, sunroof, navigation system and on and on and on. Unquestionably, for the money theres not a vehicle that comes close to this one. I test drove the Acura MDX, Toyota 4 Runner, and Lexus GX 470 and chose the Nissan Pathfinder. This vehicle is a fine representation of Nissan’s commitment to excellence. Lastly, MSRP for this particular vehicle was $35,650 and I paid around $33,000. So, don’t be afraid to haggle.

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  Excellent Coolness-to-Dollar Ratio! - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By RickS - July 18 - 11:40 pm

  I hadnt wanted just ANY flashy car; only the 305Z had truly turned my head. I got the silver six-speed, 306 HP. Great move! Its basically all engine, so the handling and acceleration are top-notch. The six gears will keep your hands busy. For a small car, it also has a nice, "heavy", solid feel to it as well, very welcome on the highway or in inclement weather. I routinely get stopped by strangers and complimented on my car! The only negatives I can mention are the lack of trunk space (but who buys this car for trips to the grocery store?), the extreme lowness to the ground (this required a new front end 6 months after purchase), and finicky tire pressure gauges. I love this car!

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  pretty good, could be better - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By raw - July 18 - 9:30 pm

  I have had this for for 2 years now and still look forward to driving it. Acceleration: Off the line is decent but there is lots of torque steer to get used to. Highway acceleration is pure bliss. I mean wow. Its a great looking car as well. The interior is kind of cheap and the climate control isnt very good. It gets good highway mpg (30ish) but if you floor it around town, you will get about 220 miles to a 22 gal tank. The turning radius is horrendous and the headlights are not very good and I can barely tell the difference when I turn the brights on. I have a shimmy in the brakes when I am braking downhill that no mechanic seems to be able to reproduce. Would seriously consider rebuying.

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  A 6 time Nissan owner not disappointed - 2016 Nissan Frontier
  By David - July 18 - 9:24 pm

  Im a pretty big guy. 64/ 260 lbs. I traded up for my 2009 king cab 2.4 liter manual transmission. Got the price I wanted. I was able to find a Desert Runner, in Silver with the hokey decals already removed. Maybe Im used to semi truck brakes, but I have no trouble stopping my Frontier. I expect the audio system to go first. My wifes second Maxima is the only one (out of six) that didnt fail. I question Nissans Interior color choices, and the materials seem flimsy, but they are very durable. If you want fluff and gadgetry, look elsewhere. If you want a solid, well made, Reliable and durable car, buy a Nissan. I have owned Nissan since 1987, All went 120k miles problem free and I know two of the six are still being driven by our children. I currently own two Chevrolets that I cant say the same about. Cant buy a comparable well made vehicle for the same price.

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  Love my Altima Hybrid - 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By db59 - July 18 - 10:00 am

  The Altima Hybrid is a true Jekyll & Hyde. It saves me gas and its sporty and fun to drive. It has enough room for my family, I can stretch out in it and it looks great. When the spirit moves me and I just have to get away fast I hit the pedal to the metal and the electric motor feels like a supercharger as it pushes the 2.5 over 100mph!

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  JAN NEEDS HER MURANO - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By JAN MUTZL - July 17 - 11:43 am

  I leased this vehicle for 5 weeks and it was the very best out of at least 18 different vehicles I had driven in that time period, The best stability around corners and the most practical I have seen. By the way I have owned 5 Nissan vehicles, loved every one. I would now like to lease the murano with the intention of buying. Jan C. MUTZL