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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  Good old Reliable. - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By mitchell19 - October 17 - 9:52 am

  Bought a 1998 Nissan Altima brand new off the dealer lot in cerritos with only 5 miles. I loved everything about it, the interior, the way it drove, and not to mention its reliability. It never once broke down on me....ever. I loved its reliability so much, I wish I could buy another one. I was sooo sad the day I totaled it at 148,000 miles. Me and my family drove it everywhere from San Francisco to Minnesota to Las Vegas and back, it was also a great commuter car for getting to and from work. I now drive a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, only time will tell just as to how reliable it is.

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  Believe the hype - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By weezy - October 15 - 7:53 pm

  I bought a used 05 Max SE in July, black on black with 20,000 miles. For the money I paid, this car has really impressed me. Mine is black with black leather and the 18" chrome wheel package; with aftermarket window tints it looks awesome. Ive gotten tons of compliments on its exterior looks. My complaints with the car are the same as others..wide turning radius, some cheaper-looking interior plastic, etc. However, the car has much more upside than downside. Awesome acceleration, good handling for a car its size, great sound system, and better than expected fuel economy. Overall, a solid option for those looking for a blend of performance, practicality, and style.

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  :) - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Stephanie - October 15 - 4:53 pm

  I bought my Xterra in September of this year and Absolutly love it. Its a blast to drive in the summer or winter, its slow off the line but I hear that they are fixing that in 2005! Cant wait to see what new Xterras roll of the line and I cant wait to drive me a little more in the conditions.

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  my first car...and im glad i bought it! - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By jar29 - October 14 - 10:00 am

  one car mag review described the se-r as "you never forget its a little car with a big engine", and i have to agree. ive gotten some positive comments on its appearance (i purchased mine in black). fuel economy isnt as good as the models with the smaller engine (id say it gets about the same MPG as the base model altima). no problems so far(except two factory recalls). the back seat could be a little roomier, but aside from that, it does perform well for its size and class.

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  My 350Z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Lyle S. - October 14 - 10:00 am

  The Z has been a great car to drive. I still get many stares. My complaint is that I have a rattle in the door and considering I bought it last year and it only has 8K miles there should not be any rattles. I would have liked Nissan to have put some more higher grade products for the interior, but that is about the only thing I can say negative about it. It really goes. If you are looking for a fun car that will get you there fast this is the car. You cant beat the amount of car you can get for the money.

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  Great Car All the Way Around - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Raymond - October 13 - 7:00 pm

  I bought my 2003 Altima because my 1989 Altima was on its last legs at 190000 miles. It was a great car and my newer one is even better. We do not take car of our vehicles as we should with constant maintenance but they have kept performing anyhow.

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  2nd Frontier - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By 808blue - October 13 - 8:30 am

  This was my second frontier. Loved it, great MPG , good power for a 4 banger. Only really dumb move on Nissans part is even offering a truck without AC. I bought the truck second hand for a great deal, and other than having no AC whatsoever, the truck was awesome.

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  Goods and bads - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By lacedup - October 13 - 4:03 am

  I have a 2004 Nissan sentra 1.8s its been really good to me I mean its a 2004 and has 83,000 miles allready meaning it is reliable and fun to drive but there are a few things wrong with the one I have and I have heard this happens with many others also the cd player just stopped working and didnt spit the cd out just made a clicking noise which I had replaced and I had to replace the belts on the car numerous times and sometime the car takes 2-3 tries to start, but also on the insides the seats rip very easily and back seat, well consider there is basically no backseat cause its very small and tight, paint that it come with is very cheap, other than that it pretty quick and very good on gas

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  Transmission failure early - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By piedmontman - October 10 - 8:37 pm

  Transmission failed after 4 months of ownership and chest after 5000 miles. Started slipping on the highway and then completely failed. Engine light came on which owners manual says is a exhaust emissions problem. Now waiting for repair. I then have to make the 800 mile round trip in take time off from work to pick it up once it is fixed.Nissan will not transport. Transmission died over holiday weekend on the way to visit family.

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  My Maxima is falling apart.... - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Peter - October 9 - 2:16 pm

  I brought car used at 40k miles from my Sister - mint condition, California car. Driven mostly 7-8k per year (light). Powerful, smooth, quiet and great for a road trip, but..... The car is fragile! The starter went out at 65k($375 replace), the front strut bearing plates broke at 75k ($750 including struts and labor), the check-engine light came on at 76k (Evaporator system problem ($650), Rear brake calipers slightly locking up due to frozen/corroded parking mechanism ($600 to fix refurb calipers inc labor). I have no clue why the car is falling apart right before my eyes. Im going to trade it soon. Sad, what a powerful and smooth vehicle. :-( Peter