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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  Dont buy a 2004 Murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By ihatenissan - May 18 - 8:40 pm

  At 72,000 miles the transfer case cracked, a $4,100 repair. I agree with user nutmeg a vehicle this expensive should not have a $4,100 repair before $100,000 miles. Nissan customer service is terrible, very condescending and useless. I WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN! This is the second lemon from Nissan I have purchased, Im done. Nissan even issued a technical service bulletin regarding how to fix the transfer case and it is w/ 2005 specifications. They should have issued a recall. Nissan is in the business of selling cars but not building customer relationships. This will eventually catch up with them. Repeat customers are what keeps companies in business.

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  Efficient, Great Truck - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By JK - May 18 - 4:06 pm

  Owned truck since new for over two years now. Very dependable, not issues to report at this point. Gas mileage is around 27 in the city and around 30 on the highway (5 speed manual). Doesnt feel like a 4 cylinder. Pulled a 2000lb trailer with plenty of power still.

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  My 2014 Nissan NVP SL review - 2015 Nissan NV Passenger
  By Joe Flash - May 18 - 9:11 am

  I am very satisfied with my 2014 Nissan NV SL. I use this van for my business deliveries and personal use. Camping, road trips, etc. We dont have any children so I store most of the seats in my warehouse. I wanted the passenger van for the rear air conditioning. We drove our van from Florida to California for a Cross Country trip in 2014. We averaged about 18 mpg. We drove thru a lot of rain and It was a very comfortable and stable vehicle. The V8 Nissan Titan engine is a 500k mile engine. It has been tested many times by delivery and trucking companies. This is why Nissan gives you a 5 year or 100k mile bumper to bumper warranty. Many people are scared about driving this van because of its size. But with front and rear sonar sensors, large mirrors and the back up camera. It is easy to drive. The front and rear sensors also monitor the front and rear sides of the bumpers making it easier to park close to objects. Our Nissan NV is a Tow Monster. It pulls our 5000 pound travel trailer like its not even there. I have plenty of power to pass a vehicle if needed. The 5.6 liter engine produces 317 hp. I have owned Chevy and Ford vans and there were not very comfortable and had little cockpit room. The Nissan NV is the only vehicle made that has the engine forward like a pick up truck giving the driver plenty of room and comfort in the cockpit area. I dont have any negatives to say about my NV. This is a wide vehicle. The only modification I would like to see from Nissan is for them to add amber side mirror marker lights.

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  Titan - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By T Scott - May 18 - 4:26 am

  Fun to drive and the best sounding stock truck I have ever heard. Poor fuel mileage. Moderate fit and finish.

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  1.6 base sedan review - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By brkrotke - May 18 - 4:26 am

  I have owned this car for about six months now, and havent had any issues. I average 35 mpg with 75% city/ 25% highway, which is great in my opinion. Feels refined when you drive it, and it shifts smoothly. Im 64" and I fit perfectly inside.

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  A great car for the money - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By Dan - May 17 - 10:56 pm

  I love this car! I also looked at Avalon, CTS, Lincoln MKZ. CVT is great, performance outstanding. This car loves to be driven. Gas mileage has improved after 8000 miles to 22 city, 27 highway. Mileage was really bad at first (maybe I was driving too hard). The CVT seems to have improved with miles also. I got this on a 2 year lease; I still cant think of anything I would replace it with under $40,000, so Ill probably get another one in 2009.

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  223K Miles and Still Going - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By altimatelover - May 17 - 7:12 pm

  I have 223K miles and still going. I love this car. I bought it at 12K miles in 2001. Its had very few problems. The only time I had a serious problem was the alternator went at around 170K. The interior plastic is rather cheap though and my visor attachments had problems. Pretty minor stuff. My husband believes in maintenance so weve changed out parts such as tie rods, spark plugs, radiator (was leaking), CV boot and brakes. Very little maintenance in 11 years. 4 hours in mechanic shop is longest time (alternator). Paint fading, 1 leather seat cracked. At this point the shocks could use replacement, but, even the shocks are better than most cars. 26-29 MPG. Love the Altima!

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  Excellent value for your buck - 2013 Nissan Juke
  By distinct - May 17 - 11:47 am

  The design got my attention right at the first time. specs are impressive real value for a sporty yet powerful small suv/crossover. i liked it in all ways. great new look, great horsepower, great gas mileage and low price what else can i bargain. Power always matters in a city environment when you are trying to merge into the road after getting out of a supermarket/mall , while hesitating at a color changing signal light :). Not every one like its looks but i feel being unique is always something which matters.

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  Decent power and good handling - 1998 Nissan Sentra
  By efenwick - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I have the automatic and have no problem accelerating to speed on the freeways, even with passengers and air on. The air conditioning is nice and cold. I drove on a 7% grade in the mountains with 3 heavy poeple in the car including myself and was easily able to keep it at 50mph in 2nd gear. The temp. didnt go up at all either.It also handles easily with the power steering. The looks arent spectacular but they are contemporary still and have some personality. Probably the best feature will be the reliability of the car.

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  Two 350 Zs - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By davis - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I love this car so much. This is my second 350Z this year. My first one was an Enthusiast. And since I decided to keep this car for the rest of my life, I traded up into the loaded Touring model.