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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  2006 Nissan Pathfinder - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Ray - February 28 - 2:46 pm

  This SUV is a joy to drive. Its strongly built, runs fast and steady, great pick up and feels very secure at high speed. It is built with high quality materials and perfect fit and finish. Gas mileage is around 20-22 miles PG ( 70 miles an hour speed) on the highway and 15 in the city. This is a big SUV but does not feel big. Great vehicle for long drives and bumpy roads.

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  Love-it, if you can afford fuel - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By Dan Myers - February 27 - 5:46 am

  This truck can go anywhere, and do just about anything. I keep it nice and clean and get so many compliments on its beefy, in your face look. I like the fact that I can work on it myself easily, even though I have had no major problems just the normal wear items. The rear bumper is hard to keep from chips even though I have factory oversized mud flaps. Love the color med. blue with dark gray trim. The worst is the mileage 13.5 around town, and 15.4 on a trip, for a small truck?? I have buddies with full sized trucks who do better. But I still like the truck.

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  Good Car for the Money - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By marc - February 26 - 12:50 pm

  Really Good Car, for the money! Interior in the 05 is a big improvement. Nissan with a few more tweaks this car would lead the pack. Hopefully the redesign will improve, and I will try it again.

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  Wait for the accessories - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Just Say No - February 26 - 12:33 pm

  The truck is great in the snow and on clean roads. I havent gone offroad yet. Im getting 12.4 mpg city and about 22 highway. Before you buy this truck, ask them what accessories are available. As of today, March 8, the answer is NONE! Ask them when they will be available..the answer is UNKNOWN. Nissan should not have put this truck on the market without being able to offer ONE of the many accessories like the trailer hitch, tool box, bed divider and most importantly, the soft tonneau cover.

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  Sentra Rocks - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By jcarlson - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Nissan Sentra for 5 years now and I love it. I have had no problems at all with the car.

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  Nissans Rock - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By T5time - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I only buy Nissans I have owned 8 of them, this is my second pathfinder. I love the absolute instant power that you get by stepping on the accelerator. The interior fit and finish is great. The only downfall was that My dealer stunk...Still waiting on him to call me for my free pin stripes it has been 8 months. Stay away from Suntrup Nissan in St Louis

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  Great , wish the interior was better... - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By wayyonder - February 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the first SUV for my famnily of 5...I just couldnt see myself in a minivan.... I did a lot of reasearch of this vehicle, it has somewhat paid off... I enjoy the standard safety features, not otherwise offered with its competors...

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  Best car Ive owned Period - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By garrettb - February 23 - 10:33 am

  We just sold her, Annie was her name. The kids still ask after her. What a great car. Great power, huge interior, the kids dont even come close to kicking the back of your seat. We bought used with 50K miles and I sold this car with 90K on it and never put one nickel into it other than regular oil changes, oh yeah 1 battery and thats it. It always got 12 mpg unless on a real long trip. Got 16 once. I watched a friend with an Explorer- Junk and then a Tahoe, nice but not a good as this Nissan and not nearly as spacious.

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  2012 Nissan NV, 2500 SV, V6 Review - 2012 Nissan NV
  By mikeprs - February 22 - 7:18 pm

  Purchased 9/26/11 . No technology option. Got rear window package, floor mats package and side air bag package. Gas mileage is based on your driving habits. I drive speed limit and do not accelerate quickly. Get about 16.5 to 17 mpg in city and on flat highway, no wind, going 65 mph I get 21 mpg. This is with no shelving or cargo in back. The inovations are great. See the ads . Van is more quite on hwy and city roads compared to Ford E250. Stereo is so so. Cab area is good. Lots of room to stow your stuff out of sight. Drives like a truck not like a van. After installing shelves and cargo van drives smoother and you dont feel the bumps as much. Dont know how reliable it is yet.

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  Big Max, hold the cheese! - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By TRo - February 21 - 7:06 am

  This car feels more expensive than it is. Still cant believe its only a V6! It simply handles and peforms like no other car in its class... or is there any other car in its class??? I even get those snooty folks in their 4- wheeled German status symbols to take a second look... as I zip past them on the freeway! Overall this is one terrific vehicle, however NOT without it flaws. Nonetheless at around $30K, as MC Hammer use to say, "...cant touch this!"