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:

• 

  Excellent Car - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Nismo2010 - November 18 - 10:40 pm

  This is my second Maxima and just love these cars. My first was a 98 SE 5 spd and thought it was great, wish I would not have sold it. But now I have a 97 GLE auto with all the goodies and like this car just as much. I bough the 97 with 179k and had to replace a few things, knock sensor, 02 sensor and the axles. I did the work myself so the repair cost was very cheap. I have 190k on it now and its still running great and I plan to keep it until it dies. I would highly recommend the 4th Gen (95- 99) Maximas to anyone who wants a 4 dr sports car with comfort, good stereo, and reliability. Thanks Nissan!

• 

  Great AWD crossover for the price - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By Beth - November 18 - 3:53 am

  I went from an 2007 Altima to the 2010 Rogue 360. I love the AWD and sitting higher up to see over snow banks in the winter. It handles very well in the snow (better than the Altima) I do miss my Altima, just really loved that car. The Rogue is on a Sentra base and Murano has the Altima base on it. Overall, I am very happy with the space, the pick up, reliability and design.

• 

  Pretty nice car, but... - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By faction - November 17 - 2:03 pm

  Had been looking for a year for a 4 door hatchback to replace a lemon I had been doomed with for 4 years. It was an easy one! Love the spacious interior, CVT, cute body and how it zips around. It is an entry level car, so doesnt have all the luxury that some people might be used to, but Im a simple gal with simple needs. Bad news: MPG isnt what they claim(yet?) and that was THE major reason I bought the car. Also after 2 weeks, my ignition started acting up and it has been in the shop for over a week now and they cant figure out what is wrong with it. New car, I figure there will be some bugs to work out, so I can be understanding--for a while.

• 

  Very Pleased - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By cheap - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Overall I am very pleased with the Sentra. I previously owned an Audi A4 so I miss many of the little comforts of the Audi, but I do not miss the expensive upkeep and low gas milage. The Sentra is reliable, performs well for the gas milage it gets and with a spoiler its not that bad to look at either. Ive only had the car for a few months and I already have 14,000 miles on it. If the 2.5 was out when I bought it, I would have gotten the 2.5l

• 

  Still running strong - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By ryogy - November 15 - 4:38 pm

  My wife got the SL in 09 and its now passed 80.000 miles. Ive read all the bad reviews here and all I can say is: were either lucky with our Murano or those other cars havent seen a lot of maintenance. Of course, its gone through 2 batteries but that is due to the fact that my better half never turns off any of the electrical consumers and her regular commute is generally short. ...And like other MO users, weve experienced that strange phenomenon when you have to call the Ghostbusters to scare the electrical gremlins that keep you from starting the car. Other than that, it has been a trusty companion. Powertrain runs strongs, the plastic interior holds good, all it needs is oils&fil

• 

  Ferarri Beater - 2010 Nissan GT-R
  By Driver2755 - November 14 - 10:20 am

  Just returned from a Ferrari Owners club drive. None of the over 40 cars represented, including a Lambo Murci could touch the GTRs acceleration. The only problem is the factory installed governor which limits the top end to 155. Working to fix this problem. This car is fantastic and I have owned many exotic cars.

• 

  Nice for the age - 1996 Nissan 300ZX
  By Irock - November 13 - 12:33 am

  Just bought this last year and I really enjoy driving it. It has plenty of power. Shifts hard into 2nd (reminds me of my vette). Sounds great. Looks great. Drives and handles like a new one.

• 

  im bored with it... - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Maverick600 - November 11 - 7:16 pm

  I thought this car was going to solve my car buying woes...i was wrong. Its and okay car if you just want something to drive. I want personality in the car. Buy a civic coupe. Its cheaper. It gets really good gas mileage. The trunk is really small. I can fit 1 golf bag and a duffle bag...thats it. The sound system has good speakers for just the base model. If your gonna buy get a manual trans. Its gonna be more fun than the cvt...its boring. smooth ride. i will give it that. the interior is built around the driver and i feel comfortable when in it. Just really bored with car. Would be awesome as rear wheel drive.

• 

  Why buy the Infiniti QX4? - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By cactusrose - November 11 - 10:00 am

  So my toddler is bleeding from the head and we are on the way to the emergency room in my bronze Nissan Pathfinder. As we pass a silver Infiniti QX4 he points out of the window and says "Daddys car." Now if even a concussed two year old can see through the exterior shiny trim of a QX4 that hides the Pathfinder beneath, wheres the snob value in buying the Infiniti? Buy a Pathfinder and save yourself $5,000. By the way, hes fine...

• 

  Great For the Money With Room for Improvement. - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By khuzbuz - November 10 - 6:21 am

  Having driven it for 1,400 miles I still feel its a great value. LIKES: The int/ext styling is nice and Nissan used high quality materials; rear legroom & trunk space is outstanding; great gas mileage; bluetooth/USB/AUX; XM radio; Auto headlights; quiet ride on highway; lit kickplates. DISLIKES: Underpowered (feel like Im gassing it more than I would expect to); small gas tank (Averaging around 300-330miles per tank); lack of storage compartments & center console is too far back for arm rest; cant extend steering wheel out as much causing awkward driving posture; driver seat should be more comfortable with lumbar adjustment; loud engine when accelarating; no maintenance reminder.