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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  Biased Z review by enthusiast - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Landbarger - January 4 - 10:33 pm

  I love it. Its a GREAT car, mixing the drivability and fun of American muscle and the weight and handling of more hardcore sports cars. Finding a line somewhere between the portly Mustang GT and the more-purist Honda S2000, the 350Z is a classic example of excellent lines, medium displacement (3.5L V6=more torque than typical pocket rockets) and acceptable (3200lb) curb weight. No one who drives the Z will be disappointed with the performance so long as they keep in mind the price and goal market. Particularly, the 350Z beats everything in close competition (3L+ V6), the new Eclipse (less hp, less mpg), the Crossfire (less hp, worse handling), and the R32 (looks, probably mpg, too).

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  my first adventure with nissan - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By 4dr 2.5sl sedan - January 4 - 8:50 pm

  I have very much enjoyed my experience with my altima. It is very quiet, handles like a dream, gets super gas mileages even at a high cruising speeds doesnt rattle even after 48000 miles aned the paint finish seems to be super after rain snow salt and freezing weather. This car has never let me down , after many long trips to florida and back,and i have maintained full confidence in its performance during my ownership of this vehicle. I only have had one complaint.. I have owned many chryslers in the past, that have given me tremendous servive and always have had a great display of mileage, miles to empty, etc. I wrote to nissan to tell them they should have a compass, no response.

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  Maximize with Maxima - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Gene - January 4 - 8:16 pm

  I purchased a 2016 Maxima one month ago and have driven it 3000 miles. I previously owned 2000, 2006, and 2011 Maximas, so obviously I am partial to them, primarily because they have excellent styling, good value, and you dont see yourself every third car coming down the road. My previous experiences have been mostly positive, so that has kept me coming back. First what I like about this car: It has great styling, very cool wheels, a classy interior, and loads of power. I dont know how they did it, but this car has ten more hp than my 11 Max, but gets nearly five miles per gallon better gas mileage. The car drives nicely, corners great, sounds throaty, and has less wind noise than my 11. I love some of the color combinations, and the whole effect is very classy. In fact, I prefer the styling to several of the much more expensive luxury brands. Now what could be better: the seats are ok for comfort, but the ones in my 11 were much preferable. The trunk is way too small for a car of this price. While wind noise is reduced, I find that Nissan could work on a quieter cabin from road noise. The placement of the accelerator requires you to turn your foot to the side, and the room for your feet is smaller than I like. Interior storage is minimal and could be better. But, I give the car at least a four out of five overall.

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  I love it! - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Medic1 - January 4 - 7:36 pm

  I just bought this vehicle and I LOVE it! It has 175k and it still runs strong! There are some problems, nothing you wouldnt expect with a car this old with that many miles but for the price Id say I got a pretty good deal. Lots of power and so much fun to drive. It has brand new firestone tires-cant shift into 2 hi 4 hi or 4 low due to the transfer case leaking and some other leak- so I havent really had a chance to test the 4WD, but its still an amazing car and it starts every morning!

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  Owned for 3 years - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By mountainlifer - January 3 - 3:12 pm

  Im not someone who bought this truck a month ago and is about to gush about its reliability (whats with those reviewers anyway?) Purchased this truck 3.5 years ago, have put 50k KM mountain town driving on it. Only issue Ive run in to is warping brake rotors, easily solved with HD brakes. The paint is nothing to phone home about, but definitely not sub par. Hauls a sled like its not even there and shreds the highway between Whis and Van as fast as youd ever want to. Expected a lot, and it has exceeded my expectations. Design/Layout are my favorite as well. 66" box is awesome, but cab is still very spacious and overall truck is very nimble. America still makes a great truck.

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  01 Nissan Frontier v6 - NOT Recommended - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By BaLLSnatch - January 3 - 3:03 am

  I would never recommend this truck to anyone. I am not saying it is horrible, it is just not a "truck". To begin with, these 3.3s are VERY underpowered. I would expect a small underpowered motor to have great milage, Yet they are HORRIBLE gas hogs !!! You might as well have a 350 v8 !!! Because, No matter city or highway driving and no matter what type gas, you can EXPECT 15 miles per gallon. The exhaust manifolds crack after about 75k miles, but, LUCKILY they are relatively easy to change. Handling is no good. After a lot of modifications and upgrades I still do not like it. (I take care of my vehicles and expect the most from them) I have 98 S10 which I would RECOMMEND any day over it!

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  As much Fun as the Porsche Cayene - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By dinidenman - January 2 - 12:53 pm

  I love my car, I was looking at the Porsche cayene and then spotted the Murano, I love the style and the interior also it is pretty darned responsive. I bought the Murano and have not been disappointed! Not to mention it was about half the price of the Porsche!

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  Cute but sluggish - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By MontereyLori - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Good looking SUV with a SLUGGISH gas guzzling engine!

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  Excellent SUV - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Ed K. - January 2 - 10:00 am

  High quality feel . . . Good power and excellent 4WD system. Ours has all the options and we enjoy them!

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  Fun and Economical - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By zenenigma - January 2 - 10:00 am

  After looking at many cars (including the SVT Focus, Neon SRT-4, and Nissan Altima, I decided on the one I had my eye on from the beginning. Performance is great, you can launch from 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and still has good pickup in 4th,5th,&6th. Comfort is nice, I like the bucket seats, some might not. Fuel economy - AC blasting, I got 31 MPG going 450 miles.