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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  My Best Car - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Nissan3 - April 22 - 8:23 pm

  I have owned approximately 20 cars in my lifetime including 7 new cars. The Maxima is the best car Ive ever owned. It is comfortable and very reliable. I average 25 MPG overall and get 27-31 MPG on the freeway. Replaced front brake pads @ 90,000 and the rear brake pads at 135,000. Regular oil, filter & air filter changes are completed. Also installed one new battery so far but no other problems. The car currently has 138,000+ miles and purrs like a kitten. Overall - its a great car. I plan on driving it until it drops.

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  Love it so far - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Jeff and Mary - April 22 - 6:33 pm

  We have only had the car for 2 weeks (bought used with 23k miles) and so far love it (made a 650 miles trip in it already). We got the 2.5SL loaded with Navigation. Nav/Bose is wonderful. Love the CVT, but it can be a little jerky at low speeds. Styling in/out is top notch. Quality seems great so far. Very smooth on the highway. Got 30 mpg on our road trip, expect better in warmer weather without reformulated gas. Seats are very comfortable for long trip. Car is very sporty compared to the Impala we traded, like the "quick" responses of this car. Peppy for a 4cyl, at least as quick as the Impala V6. 4cyl is a little noisier though, especially when cold. Reliability A+ so far

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  Great off road vehicle - 2010 Nissan Xterra
  By jp - April 22 - 2:43 pm

  Great SUV. This Suv can handle any conditions. I love driving in the snow and the stability control is great. The ride is great in town and off road. Its a bit bumpy on the highway but accelerates great when passing. The arm rests are very poorly placed and you really have no where to put your arms. My gas mileage is horrible but the dealer says the engine is still breaking in. If anyone else has an off road, please tell me it actually gets 15mpg when it breaks in? I am getting like 13mpg city/highway right now. I am not sure if they tested the off road package accurately with the bigger tires? I wish they would do away with the plastic cargo area. It scratches and is worthless.

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  Gets Attention - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Zuneety - April 22 - 11:26 am

  This Z has a body design that people really love to look at. The interior features are well thought out, the CD console and temp controls are easy to reach. The seats are the most comfortable I have ever sat in, and make driving a pleasure.The car just the best in comfort and drivability. I test drove the competitors and this Z won hands down.

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  Amazing and Awesome - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Lady Thai - April 22 - 3:23 am

  I would have never thought that I would be the proud owner of a Nissan. I qualified for the recent graduate program and I just had to get into an Altima. All of my family and friends are just in love with my new vehicle and I am overjoyed to the fullest. I recommend this vehicle to anyone who feels as if they deserve a royal treatment.

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  2002 Nissan Pathfinder LE - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By effort12 - April 21 - 3:39 am

  Purchased in 2005 with 30K mileage. 110K miles currently. Complaints - Dreadful fuel economy and requires premium. Defective exhaust manifold . Hairline cracks create increasingly noisy engine and allow exhaust fumes to leak into interior. Replacement manifold plus installation is almost $4K. Manufacturer claims this not a defect but is just normal wear and tear. Front end vibration when brakes are applied. Defective 6 disc cd changer quit functioning with 6 discs inside. Estimates for repair $3-400. Interior - Very comfortable with nice assortment of features. Would not purchase another Nissan product.

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  Not bad... not bad at all. - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By usmcbigguns - April 20 - 4:56 pm

  Second Maxima for me and I have to say I am glad I went with another one. I am an outside sales rep and this car fits the bill perfectly, spacious, sporty, the right luxury features and Nissan reliability. My last Nissan I had (99 SE Ltd) had 176k on it when I traded it in for this car. If this one gets that same mileage I will be very happy. Ride is better then the old Max I had, turning radius is a lot larger though. Plenty of pick-up with respectable MPG. Any issues that I might have had with car I think were addressed with in the 07 Max (cheap and at first confusing controls, no aux input, cass deck? standard stability control). Great car... just buy it, you wont go wrong.

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  serves its purpose - 2012 Nissan Versa
  By Andrew - April 20 - 7:16 am

  Bought the car new in sept 2012. drive it about 12k miles a year as i bought this as a second vehicle for daily driving because my other vehicle is a suburban. What sold me was the extremely low price tag. I hate how a lot of car companies these days force you to buy things you dont need like back up cameras, etc. If i want to know whats behind me ill just turn around thanks. It has great interior space, a big trunk, gets great gas mileage, has a radio with aux plug in for my phone, has a/c, heat, and nissan reliability. What else do you really need?

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  nissan xterra - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By varo - April 20 - 4:56 am

  everyone knows the Nissan Xterra that its reliable, strong and vary roomy. i havent had avy problems with the car even though gas intake could be better but that goes far any car....

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  Just Buy It! - 2011 Nissan Leaf
  By peterhi - April 19 - 9:04 am

  I have been driving my Leaf for 1 month, with 1,000 miles. Had a very difficult decision to sell my 2007 Lexus IS250 which I loved, and was worried to be driving an econobox tin can. I have no regrets at all! Believe it or not but it drives just as well as the Lexus, is more quiet, just as smooth, accelerates well, and just feels good to be doing the right thing! I have a 20 mile r/t commute to the office; with side trips, often am driving 35-40 miles which is perfect. I have a gas car for longer drives but rarely use it. Take advantage of tax credits while you can! Nissan put lots of research and money into this vehicle to get it right the first time. Just Buy It!