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 suv, but........ - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By sean williams - April 26 - 7:36 pm

  the armada has been a wonderful suv for me. the performance is great. there are some flaws in the brake rotors. also the interior overhead console was poorly designed - the plastic rattles.

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  Good Car, BUT Mileage is INCORRECT! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Riffkid77 - April 26 - 12:03 pm

  Car is great looking with the new style. Power is stolen by the CVT. Gas mileage is also extremely incorrect. Whether you drive with a lead foot, or as conservative as can be, your city mileage will be no better than 21. Highway is correct but city is not! Great quality car, yet the mileage situation turns me off.

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  Competent Vehicle - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By MJ - April 24 - 9:23 pm

  Purchased new December 1999. Currently has 93,000+ miles. K&N air filter increased the gas mileage by about 1.5 mpg. 18.5 mpg city / 20.5 highway. Recall on the exhaust manifold in the first year. Left rear window started dragging 2005. ($250-) Replaced Front brake pads at 45k and 90k miles. Surprisingly competent off road, and in the snow. Original tires lasted 72k miles. Rear bumper $400, taillight $115. Truck doesnt feel 6 years old. No squeaks or rattles. I drive it on rough logging roads regularly. Ill probably keep it for another 5 or 6 years and consider another Nissan. It has a surprising amount of articulation in the suspension and is really fun off road. Leer Canopy is great.

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  Not bad! - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Dan - April 23 - 1:43 pm

  I bought the best package because it was available slightly used (only 6500k miles. I owned a Ford Escape prior, so this is pure luxury for me. The comfort level is high, the leather is soft, and after having a hip replacement Ive been able to drive easily and get in and out comfortably. The intelligent key is great! The Murano is sturdy and a great road trip vehicle. My passengers love it. I also love it for the not so necessary things, like the Bose system and the large sunroof. The only thing I dont love about it so far is the fact that the rear view is less "open" compared to the Escape, but Ive gotten used to it. I feel the need to turn all the way around when making a turn.

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  New Owner - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By NaNette - April 22 - 8:33 pm

  We purchased an 2.5 S automatic Altima today.During the test drive I noticed the jerking as I accelerated. I am accustomed to noise so that does not bother me. This is our second Nissan but my everyday car is a 2002 Toyota Corolla which has standard features that should be included with the Altima (day time running lights, doors that lock when you put the car in drive and unlock when stop the ignition, abs, etc...) Concerned about the reports of possible oil consumption. Our salesperson told us about the engine recall but not the oil consumption.it seems a practical and good choice.

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  The best in its price range.... - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Kee - April 22 - 6:43 am

  Has sharp handling and cornering like a sports sedan... Strong engine... Good gas mileage for its size... Huge leg room in rear... Thing I dont like about this car is CVT which eats up Horse Power and Torque....

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  A gift and a curse - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By autobuffsince5 - April 21 - 11:22 pm

  This car is a gem to look at even at 8 years, however, I will NEVER buy another Nissan product. After very wet weather the car has a hard time starts. The head gaskets wore and have leaked coolant which fouls the plugs and the 02 sensors. This problems has re-occured every since I hit 80k. Any bump dings it up easily and the car feels very unsubstantial. Abslolute must to change the stock tires. (terrible in snow). The AC does not defrost and it struggles to cool the car down. Overall the car has a phenomenal engine, but it seems that Nissan knows the engine craps out. They refuse to be accountable for this. Wonderful engine but go cart fit, finish and quality. Ur lucky to get 6 good years..

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  dont like at all - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By F150 - April 20 - 7:50 am

  I got a Titan January, 2007.i got one because my Chevy 1500 was getting old.The day after i got it cylinders werent working. then a week after that i was at walmart the motor would not start.This is the third time that i got new bulbs for the headlights.this is a bad truck.My wife and me thought it was a good truck but its not.I am planing on getting a Ford F150

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  LOVE LOVE LOVE my car - 2014 Nissan Rogue
  By jessikah0703 - April 17 - 10:44 pm

  There are a few things I would change about my car, like the light colored head liner, and maybe tint the windows but thats about it. The AC does take a a few minutes to cool the interior, but thats with any car in 100+ degree weather. My average fuel mileage is 27.5. Once I passed about 3,000 miles I started seeing an increase in my gas mileage. I am very rarely getting less that 29 mpg and thats in the city! I looked at every other option for a compact SUV and I really think I made the best decision. The rear AC vents are my favorite feature! My kids were actually complaining the other day about being cold and it was 98 degrees outside the car! Lifetime Chevy owner, turned Nissan Lover!

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  versa - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By versucks - April 17 - 3:53 am

  I bought my versa new and actually liked my versa for the first 20,000 miles. Then my CD player stopped working, and was replaced, but now at 2 yrs the a/c compressor is fried, but no longer under warranty. I bought this car to save $ on repairs. I had a great car for 16 years until it became costly, so this is shocking to have to shell out nearly 2 grand for a car thats practically new.