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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  Luv my Versa - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By dil52 - April 15 - 8:40 am

  I have always owned a standard transmission, however driving in California traffic, its nice to have an automatic. There is no shift shock, as they advertise.

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  Decent Ride - Could Be Better - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By -cdt- - April 14 - 7:53 pm

  Overall, a decent car. Thats not to say that it cant use some upgrades that would make it Excellent! Coming from a Jetta, there a few things that I miss - Day Time Running Lights, automatic locking doors, comfortable interior.

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  Nissan Altima Rules!! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Eric - April 14 - 5:23 pm

  I was very happy with my purchase of a 2008 Nissan Altima. This vehicle is very fun to drive! The outside and the inside of the vehicle look very good! I get good compliments from people who see my new vehicle, they tell me that it looks very good! I enjoy driving my new vehicle in the city and it is smooth driving in the highway. Nissan did an excellent job with the Altima design and performance! In my book I give it 10 out of 10!

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  Hot little car - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By NEAL BARNHILL - April 14 - 2:40 am

  Very flashy and classy, test drove the jag and mercedes sports models and i think this handles much better.

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  Great SUV - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jimba - April 14 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great SUV for us. No problems whatsoever.

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  fun suv - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By steve stiansen - April 14 - 2:00 am

  very good suv. hate milage. Im only getting about 15mpg combined use. I got better milage with a 1991 pathfinder. will put up with cost ofmgas for the fun of the supercharger.

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  Dont buy it unless you like repair bills - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By tacosauce - April 13 - 3:20 pm

  Its attractive because of the look & I just like the way it "sits". However just like any relationship looks only go so far. 1st off engine noise & road noise is horrible. Problems: It wasnt responding to the accelerator-had to replace the transmission, replaced alternator, replaced oxygen sensor, replaced intake valve solenoid, window fell down into door-replaced power window assembly, replaced transfer case, heated seat switches replaced, replacing rear window wiper requires special Nissan part, waterproofing & trim falling off all over the car, key replacement = $290 for remote+$150 for microchip key. Total repair costs $4,505. Car is garaged,only driven about 9000 miles per year.

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  Best in class - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By emmale - April 13 - 11:30 am

  I drove every econo box before I made a decision - Fit, Spectra, Aveo, xA, Corolla, Civic... none came close in interior comfort. Only those from Toyota and Honda drove as nice. That said, the automatic is a little clunky (I should have gotten the stick or the CV tranny!) Gas mileage is very disappointing, I drive all highway miles and struggle to get 28 mpgs.

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  I love my Pathfinder :) - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By pathfinder - April 13 - 2:53 am

  I have had my Pathfinder almost 3 years and I love it. I live down curvy roads and it handles them beautifully at 55. The only problem I have had is the brakes and thats partly my fault because I am harder on them than most people. It is a quiet and smooth ride. I got it at 94000 miles and had a few regular maintance things fixed but other than that its been great. I do have a little oil and antifreeze leak, but the vehicle does have over 140,000 miles on it! So if you are looking into the Pathfinder I would definitely suggest it - its very easy and fun to drive:)

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  Good but not great - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Khubo - April 13 - 2:10 am

  After driving all comers in the segment this is the one that my wife had to have. So far it has been a great purchase and has stopped all the hitting and fighting in the back seat. We have had a few issues: As everyone else states we have had the door rattles. This was recently fixed by the 3rd dealership we visited. When the van is left outdoors overnight and the temperature gets below freezing all the electronics except the throttle cease to work. This is very inconvenient in the middle of nowhere. the problem sorts itself out and the dealership has been unable to recreate the issue. I have turned the brake rotors once and am ready to do so again. I am sure this is due to wifes driving