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:

• 

  engine noise - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By D. DEATHERAGE - November 23 - 3:36 pm

  WHILE I ENJOY THE NISSAN TITAN, I FIND THAT WHEN THIS VEH. GOES INTO LOW IDLE THAT I GET QUITE A BIT OF ENGINE NOISE. DEALER STATES THAT THIS IF FROM THE INJECTORS FIRING. IT GETS PRETTY LOUD AND IRRATATING AT TIMES. FOR SUCH A QUALITY BUILT VEH., I FEEL THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN, BUT HAVE YET TO GET A RESPONSE BACK FROM THEM.

• 

  08 Armada - 2008 Nissan Armada
  By Alton H - November 23 - 12:13 pm

  This is my second Armada (2004 and 2008), the 2008 model has major upgrades, flex-fuel is one of the best features. Front sonar for parking. Hopefully this model wont have the issues with the brakes like the 04 model did. The new design is much smoother and very eye-friendly, not like the boxy earlier version. I was asked several times for a tour, within the 1st week.

• 

  SportsCarTruck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Chip - November 23 - 5:26 am

  Great handling truck. Have had it 120 mph on the interstate to pass a few 18 wheelers and had to do a real hard left to not hit the back of another 18 wheeler and on a 2 lane interstate - well I never had to worrry about rolling it or losing it. It just stuck to the road, and with the Goodyear SRA oem tire - go figure. Could have done a better job on the brakes for sure.

• 

  Back to xterra - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By grahamcracker977 - November 23 - 4:06 am

  Had a 2001 Xterra, loved it but it lacked power (only 170 HP back then and hesitated at 2000 rpm) and felt like a tin can (doors very light). Only problem was auto windows going out. Drove a 2003 Frontier and 2005 Dodge Hemi 1500 (hello Gas prices and expensive service requirements), I went back to Nissan and tested out the 06 Xterra. Would have went 4X4 but dont do too much off roading in Houston. The difference is incredible. More power, no more hesitation and it feels like a safe/substantial vehicle now. So happy to be back in this workhorse. MPG on the way to work on highway as high as 27. Beats 16 in the Hemi and unlike the Dodge, I know it will go longer than my car note

• 

  Completely AWESOME - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By zbaerenlovesme - November 22 - 11:40 am

  I love my Versa, and Ill be sad when I have to trade it in soon due to having another child. The one thing I dont like is that it wont fit three car seats ha ha ha. I have had negligible problems with my Versa. I have never "lost" a hubcap due to fly off or fall off, just to other versa owners STEALING them. I am surprised that another owner has expressed problem with the interior noise as I sometimes cannot tell if it is on or not it is so quiet. I have had it in the shop only for Nissan notified issues and regular maintenance. I agree, replacements hubcaps are too expensive. I get a reasonable gas mileage at 27 city, 33 highway.

• 

  Buy One! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Keith - November 22 - 11:26 am

  Traded in my 2003 Murano for the 08 Altima coupe with Premium and Technology packages. Drove Honda Accord, Civic, Camry; none compared. Much quieter, sportier, better features. Drives like a dream around corners and on fwy. Got MSRP out the door inc. Phantom recovery system. Added 6-yr. full extended warranty for $850. Love the Red exterior/tan interior combo. First tank of gas averaged 28 city/hwy. Sweet steering and CVT make it a dream to drive. Love the convenience of Intelligent Key, Bluetooth, and navigations system.

• 

  Fun to Drive - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By bobz - November 22 - 10:00 am

  The car is fast and handles like it is attached to the road. Lots of power in all gears. Looks and sounds great, turns a lot of heads. Holds enough cargo for a long weekend for two or a set of clubs. Very reasonably priced, get one.

• 

  Best Car Ive Owned - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By tdigeorge - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought it brand new. Still as tight and responsive and fun to drive as the day I drove it off the showroom floor. No rattles or noises of any kind. Its been driven 134,500 miles and never a repair or part replacement, just routine maintenance (brakes, etc.). More than lives up to its reputation for reliability and performance!

• 

  Maximum!!! - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By hardnecker - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought this garage kept Sterling Mist beauty in Sept 03. Most of the 24,000 miles were highway miles. The sales lady said it was fast and that sparked my interest, naturally! It was and is and I am totally in love with this car. Plenty of power and great gas mileage in spite of the weight of my right foot.The stereo sounds good and the leather interior is super comfy. This car is a dream to drive and great on the highway. Its nimbleness saved our lives one night on the Florida Turnpike. Make sure you tint the windows as this really improves the look. Mine was a "fishbowl" and I had the tint done the day after I bought it. Couldnt be happier with this rig!

• 

  Best Quest ever is best minivan value! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By OnaQuestforComfort - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Nissan did not skimp on anything in this vehicle; its equivalent to a 7- course dinner plus a night on the town, as compared to what one gets from the other top manufacturers. Sure the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey are great vehicles in their own right, but they definitely charge you an arm and a leg and you still dont have what Nissan offers: the ultra-modern design, the panoramic sky-view, sunroof, 17- inch allow wheels, leather, 3.5L 5- speed automatic power house under the hood, the widest doors in its class, plus the longest wheelbase that make the ride feel more like a stretch limo than a van..... all at a low low price of $30300.