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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  Maxima Cranks - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By darren - November 25 - 4:16 am

  Bought the car second hand, just love it!!. Have had no troubles with it other than new rotors which is normal.The Maxima is SO QUICK off the line and can surprise Mustangs and other muscle cars. Shes good on gas too. LOVE IT!!

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  My beautiful Pathfinder - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By LOVETHESUV - November 24 - 11:20 pm

  Bought this Pathfinder up in Minneapolis. I love this truck. Its so much fun to drive. Its 5 speed 4x4. It seats higher than all other SUVs and Jeeps. Lots of ground clearance. Love the durability of the interior and exterior. The engine really roars! Great power. Must have 5 speed with this truck! I enjoy this truck so much. I already replaced all hoses and belts, air filter and oil change. I spent $400 getting it repainted so it looks brand new! It turns heads. Love the seats. I feel very safe in my pathfinder. Only problem here is.......drumroll please....It needs a new manual tranny rebuilt and thats gonna cost me about $1500 to 2500. Ouch. But this truck will last4evR

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  Does what I bought it to do. - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By mattman - November 23 - 9:56 pm

  While I havent reached sticker highest is 35 lowest is 29 in 20K miles with routine service (in NJ with crappy winter gas, traffic & horrible roads). Ive had a few trim piece issues but thats it (havent lost a hub). Bought it to carry lots of stuff (does), get good hwy mpg for my commute (does), comfortable seats (yep), cheap payment (you bet), not breakdown (doesnt). One errant pass airbag rattle that only comes out in winter would be my only nagging complaint, but even that is seasonal. Keep tires @ correct pressure and light wont come on; duh. Easy oil changes for the DIY types like myself. A- from me.

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  Does NOT give more than 27mpg - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By 2011juke - November 22 - 3:03 pm

  This is a great compact car to drive but it is an expesive car to drive. Starting with : Takes Supreme GAS, although the dealers will tell you that it is optional. My driving is 90% hwy, always on the ECO setting, and i coast as much as i can to get the best milage that i can, which is 27mpg. I just took it in for the fuel recall now im getting 25mpg!!!!!!

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  happy with my first car - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By nursebarbie - November 22 - 11:50 am

  This is my first car, so far 900 miles/3 mo. I live in the city. It is fun to drive in the city and on the highway. I dont know if this is my doing or not, but my breaks are already squeaking (?!) Breaking is not as tight as I would like but steering and maneuvering is fun, esp. for its size. Engine is loud but its not a bad thing in my opinion. Its pretty easy to parallel park. Center console is nicely set up (and BOSE rocksss) but knobs do seem a little cheap. Back seat is smaller than other cars in its class. Trunk is huge. Sharp car for young people and/or those who want an affordable fun car.

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  Great Truck - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Niceynice00 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Im had the xterra for 5 years, 93K miles. So far so good. Nothing has ever broken down, and it still runs like new. I cant ask for anything more. Go anywhere capability, good wear on the brakes. Brakes are awsome. Changed the oil every 2500 miles, using castro syntec 5w50. I cant say enough about the build quality. A little bouncy on the but upgraded the suspension with a tokico kit and it rides well. GREAT CAR111

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  Not bad for the first model year! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Balboa - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I am 64, 225 lbs. I find the Murano to be very forgiving for a person my size. Not only the legs, but the head room, even with the sunroof! There, you loose two inch of head room. Now I do not have to slide down in my seat in order to keep my head off the roof. I have had people come up to me and want to know what kind of vehicle that was, and there like....Oh, that is what the Murano looks like. They are impressed with the looks. Not too big and not too small, it has that look, like it means business.

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  Fun little truck - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By DesertDawg - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I have been a nissan fan for years, but if you are looking for more horsepower, hold off until 2005. If you want good fuel economy and need a truck, 2004 is the model year to get. Do research on edmunds and get a good price before you go to buy and do not be afraid to stand up for the value of your trade in.

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  Great SUV for the $$ - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By sj - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with this purchase. We drove numerous SUVs before buying the Xterra. All others we tested were in the $30-40k range, but didnt see the point in paying that kind of money with the depreciation rate. Rugged design is nice and performance is very good. Turning capabilities are excellent and it handles very well on any type of road. Rides a little rougher since its based on truck chassis. Storage is ample with the seats folded down.

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  I loved and lost... 2007 Nissan Quest - 2007 Nissan Quest
  By sports3mom - November 20 - 2:17 pm

  I bought the 2007 Nissan Quest brand new off the dealers lot to replace a 2004 Nissan Quest which was wrecked in an accident. All was peachy ... I wanted a new car but didnt want to give up the space my Quest provided - I loved my minivan. (Trust me - if you know me then you know I was not the minivan type before.) But all of a sudden - my air conditioner started blowing at different speeds - the gears started whirring a bit... engine oil leak after 74,000 miles and rack and pinion oil leak. I contacted the dealer and of course, its not covered. The used 2004 Nissan Quest was 100% better than my new 2007 Nissan Quest. To each his own, but I have moved on. Ciao to my first love.