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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  Great Used Car Value - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By troyx - December 27 - 10:43 am

  I brought this car a little over half a year ago with under 25K mi. to replace a totalled 99 Elantra. The jump in quality blew me away, after the last car, this one feels like a luxury car. The car I got had low mileage and almost no interior or exterior wear to speak of. It feels like a new car, even with it being over 7 years old. Handling it tight and firm, acceleration is smooth and the engine sounds quiet and refined. This car is a used car best buy, IMO. Resale value was lower than Camrys and Accords, but specs and build quality is on the same level. I havent heard of any recalls for this generation Altima.

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  Good car - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By ben0123 - December 26 - 9:43 pm

  This is my first new car and I really like it. I was testing 2008 altima coupe 2.5s and Honda accord coupe exl. Even though I like the long term reliability of Honda but I like the style and performance of altima coupe. It is much quite than the Honda accord. I would recommend this car to anyone who likes the sport car. Accord coupe is also a beautiful car but I think it is still like a family car.

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  littlesentra - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By daves baby - December 26 - 10:20 am

  this has been a great little car.It took my daughter thru college and has been an intermediate car for my husband. It has been very reliable and has over 100,000 miles and still going strong.

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  Front End Driving Stability - 2007 Nissan Armada
  By blb - December 26 - 10:06 am

  Overall Im pretty satisfied. I love the power!! Not real crazy about the gas mileage...but its hard to have both. Great interior features and love the Bose sound. The one thing my wife wasnt going to compromise on was the "butt warmers!" A must for her...gotta admit...I like em too.

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  Not a soccer team hauler - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Brodirt - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Wow, is this an SUV? 2 weeks in and I am incredibly impressed. Handles like a sport sedan, accellerates like a premium sports sedan and stops like a sports car. I cant wait unitl the snow and ice hit. All around sophisticated high end high style performer that is not a suburban soccer team hauler, unless your late for the game.

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  Nice car to fix up and maybe race - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By nissanracer805 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Great starter car

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  A Very Good Car - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By hptorres - December 23 - 10:00 am

  So far the car has been reliable, no major problem except that the Anti Theft device needed to be reprogramed once. I like the car, good power, good interior size and look good, with the Sport Package. Id buy another.

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  Everything I need, nothing I dont. - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Cory - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Killer vehicle. A little light on the power, but still a blast to drive. Manual transmission makes all the difference. Gas mileage bites the butt a little, but highway driving to/from school on weekends will do that. Sweet looks (better than the 2002, I think) and no frills, no nonsense approach.

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  Altima Hybrid - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By chase - December 23 - 12:46 am

  Almost never goes into ev mode unless I stop or brake under 40. When I first start out in the morning it wont even go in ev when I stop. Maybe the battery needs to charge up? Go on freeway no ev. Get off near work, I go 20mph through the alley, slightest acceleration it goes to gas. computer says Im getting 31mpg. But it also shows my avg mph at 30 when I drive almost entirely freeway at 80 mph. Drives nice though. Fast and peppy.

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  Great family car - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By mstee - December 22 - 2:46 pm

  I have only had this car for less than a month, but have been driving a mini-van for the past twelve years. This is by far the most drivable mini-van I have ever owned. It handles like a car. The Bluetooth is a wonderful plus! The only thing I feel I have to get used to is the body style is longer and wider than the last two Chryslers I have had. It makes parking a little more challenging for me.