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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  OHMomof5 - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By jod5 - April 6 - 9:51 am

  I purchased the 2005 Quest SE fully loaded 10/05/04 having traded my 2001 BMW 325i. Almost nine years later, the van has safely taken my family 101,100 miles and counting. I have travelled across the USA and Canada, typically alone with four of my daughters. I’ve only had two upsetting issues. First, I had a ground fault issue around 40,000 miles that delayed a trip home for a couple hours. Then recently, the alternator failed 375 miles from home and involved almost 100 miles of towing and a rather costly repair bill. However, alternators do fail and the ground fault, although inconvenient, was minor. This van remains exceptional.

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  Watch out Toyota 4 Runner - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By MIKE P - April 5 - 5:13 pm

  Well we test drove the Toyota 4Runner berore the Nissan Pathfinder and it seems like Toyota is stuck in a time warp compared to the new Pathfinder. The Pathfiner is all over the new styles for the interior and exteriior. The off road package is the way to go with leather. Also, to get a great deal, go through COSTCO auto services. I was able to take a couple grand off the sticker.

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  3rd Time Buyer, 3rd Time Lover - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Russell K - April 5 - 11:26 am

  Wow, WOw, oh WOW!! I just bought my 3rd Nissan 4 days ago. This by far is the most amazing car I have ever purchased. As a lover of Nissan for years I have felt that love grow with the purchase of my new Maxima. I dont think I can ever be happy with any other car on the road. When my girlfriend came home with her new Mercedez-Benz last year I thought I found the car of my dreams, now I beg to differ!

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  Passenger airbag light malfunction - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By jlwood - April 5 - 2:23 am

  I purchased my 2011 Nissan Maxima in November 2011. I have had an issue with the passenger side airbag light on with an adult in the seat. I have taken the car to the dealership on numberous occasions and was told it was normal. I called Nissan and talked with some named Tim, he took my information over the phone and said he would get back with me in a few days. He called my husband and told him the seat was functioning properly, that the adults werent sitting in the seat properly. I called him back with no response. How can they say it is functioning properly no one at Nissan or the dealership will ride in the car with me so I can show them what the car is doing. Very disappointed..

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  old truck new love - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By carol_okc - April 5 - 2:20 am

  I looked long and hard for the perfect truck - and Ive found it. Ive always driven full-size pickups but wanted better economy, 4wd, a decent cargo capacity, and room for my two big dogs for everything except hauling the big round bales of hay. Still have the 2500 Ram for the latter, but the Frontier handles everything else beautifully. Since I tend to drive my vehicles forever, I wasnt concerned about this being older and having a bit over 100k miles on it. I did have my mechanic go over it thoroughly, freshening several things that needed to be addressed, but still brought it in at my budgeted figure - and expect to drive it at least another 100k miles. Can you tell I love it??

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  Beware of this vehicle - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By dtbaj - April 5 - 12:20 am

  The quality under the hood is not there. Transmission is rough and a/c fan causes a vibration to go through the entire vehicle when sitting still. Nissan blew this one and so did we when we purchased the vehicle.

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  Love it to the "Max"? - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By jason - April 4 - 5:53 pm

  I have just purchased a used 02 Maxima SE with about 50k on it. I have been driving a 4x4 Tacoma, keeping it of course, so it is a real rush when I hit the gas in the Maxima. I was originally focused on a Camry or and Altima but after test driving the Maxima I fell in love. I paid a little more than I would have for an Altima but I feel a hell of a lot better in the Maxima, no regrets yet. I have owned a 1990 240 SX which I always thought was a little under powered, this is not the case with this Maxima...WOW! If you have owned a Maxima I would love to her what you have to say about it. Does the novilty wear off? Have you had any problems? I hope I dont have a case of "Maximitus".

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  Nisaan Altima 2011 - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By Liladhar Talele - April 4 - 5:18 am

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  Gas Guzzler - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By murano owner - April 4 - 12:06 am

  While I love the look feeling and driving this car it is horrible on gas mileage. I live and work in a major city and only get 9.4 miles per gallon when Im driving in the city. I can get in the high 20s on the highway, but for me this poor fuel economy is making me consider selling after only 1 year.

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  Awesome Truck - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By chewydan - April 3 - 11:33 pm

  This truck is awesome! I looked at Toyota but the style of the frontier sold me on Nissan. The $1,500 incentive was also nice. The larger alloy wheels looked so much nicer then then the standard ones and you can get them with the SE value package. Its a good deal. You get the bed extender, cruise, power, VSS, mats, and the wheels for around $1,300. It really makes a huge difference in my opinion. The gas mileage stinks, but so does Toyota. Its a 4X4 truck so you should expect that. I ended up paying $23,500 after the incentive, but the dealer gave me less then I wanted for a trade so figure I really spent $24,500. Not a bad deal. Im very happy with the truck and recommend it over Toyota.