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:

• 

  A Fun car to drive and you save money too! - 2015 Nissan Leaf
  By Jim Mol - June 3 - 12:04 am

  If you are looking for a LEAF, do your homework. Figure out how many miles you drive a day to help you decide if this car will work for you. Batteries seem to be a biggest problem after a number of years of use and there are forums for the LEAF that will tell you what to look for and how to check them. It is such a different car, from your internal combustion engine car, that you need to think different. If you want to follow manufacturer recommended service, you take it in every 7500 miles and they check a few things. Every 14,500 miles they change the break fluid. Thats it. On my 2015 I figure we have 85 miles to use even though it says we have 110 miles available. That is more than enough to get to work 10 miles away and run errands along the way. We are now charging every other day. The day after we bought it, we had gone 75 miles and still had 20% of the battery left. As it gets cold, expect the milage to go down - part in heating the car and part due to how cold can effect a battery. For us, even if it is cut by half, it would still serve our needs. As with every electric vehicle, this one has a sweet spot: 38 mph. If you could drive that on a nearly level road I have read you can get 134 miles out of it. Meanwhile in the real world, be conservative and decide if the milage it will normally achieve based on the number of bars left on the battery are right for you. If so, get it. If not...your choice. Oh, I didnt rate the safety cause we have not had it over a winter and I do not know what they mean by active safety.

• 

  The Real Deal - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Walkman - June 2 - 11:36 pm

  I NEVER expected a Multi-Valved, Twin OHC engine to ever be so smooth and liner all the way through its power band. The engine in of itself was the deciding factor in my purchase. The handling was indeed a factor as was the styling but Ive also found the build quality be be very good. I bought the Base model through my ignorance but have plans of the purchase of an enthusiast model next.

• 

  Most Reliable Car Ive Owned - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By nolemonsplease - June 1 - 4:36 am

  We bought this car in 2008 with 17K miles on it and have been driving the heck out of it ever since. It now has 112K miles on it and so far all Ive had to replace was the brakes on it. Got aftermarket ceramic brakes with nicer discs. MPGs are great. I currently avg 29.7mpgs driving conservatively but the 4 cyl respond quite nice when you need to pass. The paint on the roof and hood is starting to fade and it sucks since re-painting is not cheap but I also dont keep it in the garage. The Alternator might be iffy. Just replaced a batter and the brake and battery lights on the dash are flickering. Hopefully nothing too bad. Overall it has been the most reliable car Ive ever owned!

• 

  A truly good car. - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By car guy - June 1 - 4:16 am

  Best model: 1.8 S Special Edition. Edmonds data and reviews are wrong. This is an excellent vehicle. Bought this used with 18K miles. For 10 months have driven car in the city or making short commutes. We also have taken two long trips of 2600 miles. I was a mechanic for years. Note: our other car is a Cadillac with all of the bells and whistles. 1.8 Special Edition model has good looking wheels and spoiler, keyless entry, etc. In terms of features it has more than our Cadillac excepting power seats. Interior is typically basic for an economy car. The leg room is fine for anyone under 63. Mileage is 33 with 1.8 Liter engine and auto trans. Handles well. Super sound. Nice car.

• 

  Great Truck - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By fxfdrvr - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Awesome Truck. No problems whatsoever. Plenty of room for kids in back seat but adults are very cramped. Plenty of power and tranny is silky smooth. Comfortable ride on long trips but curvy roads are a nightmare. Gas mileage is about 15-18 in city or on hwy. Very solid feeling vehicle.

• 

  comprehensive review - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By fry_ed - June 1 - 2:00 am

  03 Spec w/ 8k mi. What it has that its competitors do not are 1) torque 2)limited slip differential, 3) 4 doors. Hands down best value under $19k (fully loaded). Car has great feel to it. Bolstered seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, sweet shift knob. Red-lit dash great at night. Car is all-round performer. Tuned suspension and LSD enable it to handle with the best. 2 words: Canyon Carving. Gear ratios perfect for accel, although the Spec kinda drags (lots of wind noise too) beyond 115 mph. 6th gear short = rather high rpm (3100?) at 85 = bad on gas. Easy to launch, can lay down rubber in 2nd and 3rd. Decent aftermarket, for NA or FI.

• 

  After 5500 miles... - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Pat Mc - May 31 - 8:23 pm

  I drove this new truck from Seattle to Anchorage, AK and overall really liked the performance and ride even at 80 on gravel and rocks. The mileage was good on the hiway, but now in town its far less than its rating of 15MPG, if the on board MPG gauge is to be believed. Faults: Oil is a major pain to change especially due skid plate, dipstick is flimsy and hard to insert, visors are loose, rear headrests obstruct vision, cant open door from back. Wiper needs variable control- needs interval between 1 & 5 sec. Windshield seems to have coating, (anti glare?) that is now full of scratches and wont clean up. No aftermarket rims for snowtires available, Nissan steel wheels are $275 ea! OUCH

• 

  My New Altima - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Vannora Kim - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the 2002 Altima 2.5L S with the automatic transmission. I was torn about whether or not to spend the extra $3,500.00 and get the 3.5L V6. I have to say that I am very pleased so far with the 4 cylinder. It is very quick and surprisingly powerful. The new body style looks more elegant and is a very welcome change to last years dull body style. The only thing I think that Nissan could have done was spice up the interior a litlle more, or maybe its just me? Overall for the one month that I have had it I am very satisfied. Im one who tends to keep their car until its ready for the junkyard. Hopefully, Ill still feel the same about it in 7 to 10 years.

• 

  pretty cool - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By mistoova - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Purchased car a week ago (Apr 2002). So far, its great. Nice pickup for a 2.5 4 cyl. Rides smooth. Great handling. Has a nice sporty look to it. Quiet ride. Plenty of leg room. I should have purchased the Bose sound system. The factory installed system isnt that great. Too bad I didnt think about tinted windows when I went to the dealer. Overall, I think its a great buy.

• 

  Best car for the money - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By BigC49 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Great power, good ride, and lots of features for the money. The sound system is excelent, fuel economy is not bad for a car with 255 hp. It has everything that I could expect for the price.