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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  Great car - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Freddie - December 15 - 1:56 pm

  I love my new Versa, its my first brand new car I have even purchased and Im very happy with it. Im over 6ft tall and I fit in the back seat without a problem. My wife and baby boy love it as well!!!

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  ANOTHER new tranny needed - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By palmtreezz - December 15 - 1:50 pm

  Bought the Nissan used, only 2 years old and 32,000 miles on it, transmission went out 2 days later. Now just over 2 years on that tranny and its out. Nissan wants $5500 for a rebuilt transmission. The other 40+ cars in my close family are all American, so they are having fun with the "I told you sos". After a year of chemo and radiation its the last thing I needed, cant afford to fix it so it sits on a trailer while I continue to get rides to work and make a payment on it.

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  Tough lil truck - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By Sophiagirl - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the fourth SUV I have owned. It handles well on the city streets of Chicago, easy to squeeze into tight parking spots. Hauls my two horse trailer with both of my horses inside with ease, although if you think the gas mileage was bad to begin with, haul a trailer! This SUV is comfortable for people of average size. Anyone over 6 foot will not enjoy the ride as they will barely fit inside.

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  A REAL SPORTS CAR - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Walt Lipski - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Have owned a 240, and 300Z, but this car tops them all in brute power and handling.Am always telling myself to keep it cool. My wife loves the way the seats wrap the body; she "gets respect" when she drives,and she also loves to drive the car. We get 37 MPG when we go to Las Vegas from San Diego and back. The seats are more comfortable for traveling long distances than the previous versions. This is a keeper.

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  Great Value - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Bigal190 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Compared to Sequoia, Expedition and Tahoe, the Armada has more standard features, more power, drives and handles better, and is roomier. Nicest vehicle of all the large SUVs. All of that and it is the best priced.

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  Alternator - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By jolene - December 11 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my car for 5 yrs. Have had 4 alternators put in. Was left stranded again. Shop says nothing wrong with alternator or battery. Must be a short some where.

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  Very unhappy - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By VERY UNHAPPY - December 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had my maxima for quite some time now and Im just experiencing the problems. I now have to replace my transmission, which seems to be a common problem with this car. And the transmission is very expensive. We are trying to find a cheaper route than the 4,000 price the transmission company is charging. But before the transmission I didnt have any problems. I think its quite unfair that EVERYONE is having the same problem with their car. That means its a problem in the manufacturing of this vehicle..And to think I was going to consider getting another maxima! I dont think so! not a good buy!

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  GREAT CAR but think twice before you buy - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By CAR CRAZEEEE - December 10 - 12:50 pm

  Let me start by writing Nissan makes the best cars. Ive had my 10 maxima for about a month and Im thrilled driving it. Here it goes "pros" fast, comfy, power upon demand, style and safety. "cons" premium gas, $pecial e$ter oil, interior design, cheap radio, not enough storage, fuel economy avg 21-23 mpg at 30 hwy miles daily and I dont even Punch the car to enjoy the "performance" all doors opens at one stage only or you have to open all the way unlike altima and toyotas they have three stage door opening, dark interior, cheap head lights, too expensive for s type at 31k and back seats are too small. Bottom line think twice before you buy it. I should have kept my 2009 Nissan altima.

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  Reliability So Far - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By roxygrl - December 10 - 5:14 am

  Had the Juke for a month so far. Traded in my Nissan Rogue. So far so good I am finded the seats to be a little firm and stiff. Has sufficient pickup and seems to do well on gas.

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  2012 Nissan Quest SV - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By ep1 - December 10 - 2:52 am

  Just bought my Quest it was used at 43,000 miles and it still drives very quite, the ride is supple with no rattles and compared to my 2004 Pacifica the Quest is right on par with the German engineering and in ways even better! Now after a year of ownership and putting on 20,000 miles the Quest still manages to be very quiet where you can have a conversation inside with out raising you voice, all this car needed in a year was new brakes, tires and oil changes. My wife just loves this vehicle