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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  Nice Surprise - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By bybchucky - November 12 - 11:06 am

  I have been a Camry driver for quite some time, and was actually on the way to purchase a 2007 model but decided to stop by my local Nissan dealership to test out the 2007 Altima. Needless to say I ended up purchasing one, a 2.5 S 4 cyl CVT. Exterior is smooth and contour, definitely has a more sporty look than a Camry or Accord. The front grille looks a lot like the Maxima. Interior room is great, offering plenty of room in the front and back. Nice layout inside, very neat and clean, and high quality. Handling is great too, and I have not had any problems with it. It feels light and nimble, and it has a good power even with just the 175hp that comes with the 4 cyl. CVT build.

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  First Altim Lasted 17 years...heres to another 17+ - 2017 Nissan Altima
  By bill regan - November 12 - 7:41 am

  Do your research then when you get back to the Altima for all the right reasons, go to Jim MLady Dealership in Crystal Lake Il, the Midwests largest volume dealer. Ask for Sales Rep Scott Ryan if you dont use the Internet route to get pricing. Great deal, great guy, no pressure, easy to do business with all from Finance Manager, Sales Manaager, and Customer Care Manager, all easy going, friendly supportive folks. They even introduced me to the Service Manager. If you are a Veteran be sure to sign the Vets Poster by the Service dept if you purchase the car...Jim MLady is a Marine Corp vet, played football on the Marine team and supports Veterans in the area. They offer free lifetime car washes and oil changes and have had the car washed 3 times already so its real folks. The Altima is a dream to drive and own---we owned one for 17 years before we bought this one, so we already know quality and longevity is on our side with this Make and Model. Dont waste time looking at toyota and hondas, theyre too much more money and Altima offers more upgrades for free, and you cant beat this dealers deal, and lifetime car washes and oil changes. Very Happy Customer.

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  Amazing - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Cerberus - November 12 - 1:40 am

  I love it!

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  Nice Truck - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By thedingo - November 11 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Nissan and so far I am happy. Good Power....great ride....good amount of room. Moved several people and even with the short bed and a tonneau cover had a substantial amount of room.

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  great truck - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By wilvk - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I think nissan will be sorry for not keeping this smaller and more adgile little truck.

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  Just a Big 10 - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By MPDawg - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Excellent Handling and Performance, lots of comfort and the safety features are great, from the down hill decent that allows the engine to do the breaking, the vehicly dynamic control is great in all weather, and with it off the truck has better performance. Smooth transmission, ride and excellent sound system. Convient rear seats that do it all, passenger seat that folds flat, and the style everyone likes. I think Nissan took the best of all trucks on the market, gave excellent quality, and gave it a great price. avg mpg town and hwy 17.6 mpg. 4wd is very smooth to shift in and out. A perfect 10, and priced right!

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  I love my Xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Tinkerbell - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I love my Xterra so much, it has just been the perfect car for me and so fun to drive. I think it is great looking too. I have had no problems with it at all.

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  What a Fun Car! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Matlack - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Great Car! Only one complaint. That is the shifting could be better. The car shifts hard especially when in cold conditions. The gears seem as though they "grind" a little. Also, the two front tires are showing excess wear on the inside of tires. This is a concern as I only have 15000 miles on it in one year.

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  hotdog - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By sam sneed - November 11 - 10:00 am

  great car! i love that so few are seen on the road- enjoy - for those that knock the interior keep in mind this is a sports car and a great value - not a show case- I enjoy the understated non flash look of the interior Z!

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  Love my Cube - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By artj65 - November 10 - 6:56 pm

  I have had a 2009 Cube S for a couple weeks now. Wow what a fun car! Im 44 years old and have owned many different makes and models of cars and trucks over the years but this new nissan is really something special. My 2 small children ages 5 and 2 fit really well in the back seat (in child seats) My wife is tall and she says it has more leg room than anything she has ever rode in. Fuel economy is really good, I drove it this past week on a 2 hour drive and got just over 30MPG at interstate speeds running AC. I like that the Back seats adjust back and forth a little to allow a little more space behind the back seats. Just right for all those grocery bags.