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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  Transmission Problems @ 15,000 miles - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Kim Isbell - March 22 - 10:53 pm

  I loved the exterior styling which is why I bought it. However, while going 40 mph one day, my bug deflector broke off and scratched and dented my hood. I only had it 6 weeks so I assumed it was a manufacturers defect. But the manufacturer said since mine was an isolated case I would have to pay for the repairs myself! (Shoddy installation I assume!) Then, at 15,000 miles my transmission started locking up. It was in the shop 3 weeks because they had to send away for diagnostic equiptment from the manufacturer just to figure out the problem. It turned out to be a computerized glitch. Ive never experienced so many problems with a new vehicle with such few miles before.

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  Exactly what I thought it would be!!! - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Nate54SoCal - March 21 - 8:46 am

  After test driving about every medium and large SUV on the market, we purchased an Armada. We bought this off a lease return for about 50% of the original MSRP with less than 20K miles. We needed something that was roomy, family friendly, and just in case we needed it, could tow anything from a car to a boat. We were not disappointed. House on wheels is right. You can fold down the seats, fill up the back with whatever you need and tow. This SUV does it all. When considering this or a midsize SUV, we weighed a higher priced midsize SUV w/better gas mileage against the Armada. In a cost comparison over 5 yrs, the Armada was cheaper even with the gas mileage and it tow more.

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  First Year - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Jean - March 20 - 1:53 pm

  We were a little disappointed with the fuel mileage in the beginning. We did not get the 30/36 mpg. It was closer to 22 mpg. Our Altima gets 26 mpg. The dealer said Nissan has a breaking in period. We now are getting 30 mpg average after driving it almost 12 months. It is mostly city or short trips. We really like the way it handles and it has not been a problem in the snow. It handles the snow like a bigger car. People who ride in the back are always amazed at how much room there is. Even with a childs safety seat, there is still room for two adults.

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  Pathfinder LE V8 - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By BST - March 19 - 10:20 pm

  Great car with the current discounts offered. Good size, great performance, great optional features. Only complaint is the gas mileage with the giant V8, but I knew what I was getting into. Fortunately I dont drive much. I would certainly buy again.

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  German drivability; Japanese reliability - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Gordon - March 19 - 12:30 pm

  Purchased this car recently and I am very satisfied. Test drove a Honda Fit and a Civic, and after I test drove a Versa - it beat them both, however I wasnt satisfied with the amount of room so I stepped up to the Sentra. It drove the same as the Versa and was as comfortable as the Civic... all with a better price tag. Great bachelor car if youre looking for a roomy sedan that handles like a BMW. Its performance speaks for itself.

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  My Thoughts on the Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By John Rumplestien - March 19 - 2:00 am

  It was nice and i like the sunroofs

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  Love my Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Aimmcd - March 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great minivan. We have two small infants and need two car seats in the car, which fit comfortably. Also in the back we keep a double stroller. There is plenty of room in the car and it is a great ride.

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  Car Needs to know how it be fixed - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Lynskee - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I dont know if anyone know it yet but when the car gets cold it does not start and they do not know how to fix it. My car had to be towed to the Atlantic Auto Mall and they still do not know how to fix it. First they said it was the fuel pump, now it is the sensors etc. this has been going on for a week and a half and it is still in the shop.

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  Cool Car - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Motherlode57 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I like everything about the car, especially how itlooks, how it handles and the engine power. There is a rattle in the side door that Nissan has yet to solve which is the only draw back

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  frontier my second - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Carlton m - March 19 - 2:00 am

  My first frontier was a supercharge,I loved the leather seats and the six disc cd changer that I did not get with the sports package.I love the truck style and some features I wish that it had more standard luxury features,but I do like our truck alot.2004 with the sports package.