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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  Good choice of mid-SUV - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Greg - April 28 - 1:06 pm

  This is a solid vehicle, that looks better, performs better, and holds more stuff than many of its peers. I looked at nearly a dozen comparable SUVs and felt that this was the best across the board value, and I still feel that way 2+ years later. I owned a Mustang GT but needed an SUV, wanted a Pathfinder but couldnt afford it, bought the wrong one and finally got a Pathfinder 2 years later. It was worth the wait. Acceleration, braking and handling are all very good. The styling, especially in the interior is pleasing to your eyes without being dominant and eye- distracting. There are enough cubbies and cupholders to meet your needs, and the seats are quite comfortable. Really good vehicle.

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  Its a Nissan - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By ButaS - April 26 - 10:30 am

  It sure is very fun to drive. But the cup holder broke the first week I own it, and it took them 1 month to get the replacement part in. Power window actuator failed before I hit 3,000 miles and it took 7 trips 3 dealerships 5 calls to Nissan HQ & 6 months to identify and fix the problem. Mysterious rattling sound in the dash since 15,000 miles and a replacement of AC vent still didnt fix it. Did I mention the 5 or 6 recalls? Its not for people who dont have the time and patience. And the road noise is unbearable when travelling at high speed after two years.

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  Best Truck made in America - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By rntshy - April 25 - 2:16 pm

  144K and running like a champ. Great at towing, super comfort, kids like the entertainment system, plenty of power.

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  Great Sports Sedan - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By 1st time Maxima - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought 2000SE off of EBAY w/60K miles for $11K and have driven it for about 3 months now. Excellent ride with suprising power from 40-90 MPH. Was thinking about Acura 3.2TL but went with the lower cost of Maxima. Also, the 3.2 have had extreme tranny issues. I put on some new Falkens and they are a very cost efficient complement to the performance and handling of the car. I hope this is geared for at least 150K miles, because I plan to enjoy the ride for a long time to come.

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  Nissan Frontier - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By jh4451 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I really enjoy the Nissan Frontier so far. The style of the exterior is what sold me. I also like the extend a bed feature. The interior controls are not easy to see with the shift lever in the way. But so far, that is the only minor concern I would have with the vehicle.

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  Nissan Altima - Worth Considering - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By MAD59 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Overall I have had a good experience with this car. No major problems. I would recommend this car for someone in the market for a used car.

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  my hotrod - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By floridagirl - April 25 - 10:00 am

  love this car. traded in my mercedes which was very uncomfortable and totally unreliable and was always in the shop .

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  Just too old?? - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Richard - April 25 - 5:16 am

  At 110,000 miles I guess I should not complain, but after reading other reviews I feel compelled to. My oxygen sensors and transmission have lasted longer than others but buyer beware, they will eventually go bad. When that engine light goes on start looking for another car.

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  2001 Pathfinder Satisfactory. - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By IN Pathfinder Owner - April 24 - 10:33 pm

  This is my third Pathfinder. The first - a 1996 was very nice, but alittle plain in interior aspects for the purchase price. The next, a 2000 was better in that aspect; but after a traffic accident which totaled it, a 2001 Pathfinder was bought to replace it. Except for the weak bumper system, the SUV, in my opinion, is more elegant than most others & handles pretty well in most weather; need to watch for ice etc. since the SUV is larger, I find that it wants to slide more easily. Gas mileage needs to be worked with; about 15 miles per gallon highway. Interior noise can be high - something that I would think would be better in a vehicle like this; wind & tire/road noise especially.

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  Im Happy With It - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By jonsiros - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I chose the Sentra over the Corolla because I felt it had more personality. Unfortunately, it doent pack the same kind of build quality the Corolla has. The CVT, I feel, kind of robs the car of performance. Its a bit slow from a dead stop, but once your off its smooth and quick. The steering shakes a bit when slowing down from high speeds. Interior is well laid out, but the materials are cheap and wears out quickly. The trunk is huge. Gas mileage is excellent. Id still recommend this car for someone who wants an economical car.