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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  Interior cloth seating - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By ronnola - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH 2002 AND I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS. MY ONLY COMPLAINT WITH THIS CAR TO DATE IS THE MATERIAL OF THE UPHOLSTERY (SEATS). IT ATTRACTS AND HOLDS LINT AND CANNOT BE CLEANED BY MERELY VACUUMING. I HAVE TO USE A LINT BRUSH.

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  Wifes new rogue - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By jack B. - September 10 - 8:06 pm

  We purchased the SL model with leather interior. Overall pretty happy, coming from owning 5 Lexus, it was a bit of a new experience not to have all the features of a Lexus. But we will adjust. The disappointing thing is the blind side warning. It only starts once you reach 20 miles and hour. Not good if you are pulling out of a parking spot or driveway.

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  Like the frog - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By roesch - September 10 - 6:37 am

  Although we wanted a SV model,we found none available without many add ons so we ended up with a Juke S FWD with a spoiler, which I think adds to the over-all look. We traded my wifes car, a Vibe, because she finds the frog look attractive. As most of our driving is in the city, we both like the quick ease this car offers as it zips into small parking spaces. The construction is solid, as is the ride, and we find the quiet interior enhances the sound system. The FWD gives us some extra space in the back, and while not a large as the Vibe, most of the time we do not need a larger storage space for our gym gear and groceries.

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  Still better than most minivans - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Just Jay - September 9 - 3:40 pm

  The wife loves the van. I think if it were totaled, she would still try to have it rebuilt! This from a family that said we would "NEVER own a minivan." Then 8 months of pregnancy happened. It has been a very good van overall. She is more impressed than I, but I dont mind driving it. I always tell the other guys who tease that it has the Maxima V6 and that seems to smooth a few over. We had problems right out of the gate with a new model in its first year, but Nissan backed us up 100% and even extended our factory warranty until 5 years or 60,000 miles without us asking! The wife loves the gauges over the A/C and radio with the storage over the wheel.

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  target audience - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By NEW DAD - September 8 - 2:06 am

  I recently purchased an Armada, my son was born 3 months back and it was time to buy a minivan!No way, so test drove the Armada, had instant attraction to the styling, the power and the cool interior. The honeymoon however was short lived. The truck seats 7 (I have captains seats) but once the third row is up, there is very little cargo room,so either you take your friends or their luggage. The truck doesnot have a split third row, so its either seating for 4 or 7. i went to get a cargo (ski) box, neither thule nor yakima make a box that will fit the armada, the crossbars are too far apart! The center roof console willnot fit any dvd system other then the factory installed system.

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  Pros - Cons - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By bighert3rd - September 7 - 5:00 pm

  Overall its a good solid truck thats fun to drive. It has a very smooth ride almost like being in a car. If youre looking for a midsize truck this is definitely the one you want!

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  Squeaks and rattles - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By R. Young - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I have the SE model with dual DVD screens and every other possible add on including GPS. $40,000 out the door price. It is a lovely car, drives nice, great sound system DVD is great with the grand kids. I want to love it. Im trying to love it.HOWEVER The sliding doors click,clack (rattle)along with other squeaks and squawks that drive me crazy. Hard to read the gas guage and odometer. Same motor as my 04 Maxima, but half the pick-up.

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  Easy Ownership - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By semaj422000 - September 5 - 11:40 pm

  Bought this car used in 2006 with 13k miles on it. Now has over 65k. Has been wrecked 3 times - once fairly seriously (gotta love ATL drivers). Despite that has absolutely no mechanical problems and has never been to the shop for anything other than routine maintenance. I opted for the manual b/c its more fun for me to drive and improves gas mileage. It also has leather (vinyl?) interior. Gets awesome gas mileage and is quite peppy for a 4cyl thanks to the manual tranny. Excellent leg room. Rear passengers are comfy even with the seat all the way back.

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  titan is good - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By tim andrew - September 5 - 5:26 pm

  Had bad, ( soft rotors at new ) they fixed that. Transmission slipped at 37K, was some type of switch. The trans. from the beginning of owning it, sometimes when taking off, feels like you took off on a spot of ice, wheels slip for a moment. They dont know what it is. Also, at a light, it feels like someone bangs into you lightly, they say common.

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  Solid Car - 2012 Nissan Altima
  By snowman23 - September 5 - 4:41 pm

  Solid all around pick for the money.I have 7200 miles on and have had no problems. Getting around 31 mpg on mostly highway driving.