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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  Bad alignment, already has other issues - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Joe - October 24 - 3:33 pm

  We bought a Sentra with positive expectations but we were let down. 1. The gas mileage is nowhere near what Nissan claimed. For 08 the gov has revised the criteria, but its still optimistic. We have averaged from 20 in the city to 27 highway. I drive to maximize mileage too. 2. The wheel alignment is all over the place. Fresh from the factory, the car was defective. After much trouble Nissan aligned the front, but added way too much caster in an effort to conceal the alignment problem. The rear is still not aligned. I suspect that bad alignment is part of the cause for the bad gas mileage. If you have a Nissan, take it to the dealer and have them check the alignment. I have a lemon!!!

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  It really makes driving fun again - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By greg fennell - October 24 - 1:26 pm

  I previously owned a 2004 Nissan Maxima, which I thought was a pretty competitive performer on the road, but the 350Z is in a whole other league. It even makes routine trips to the store and commuting to work fun.

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  Head turner - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Jack - October 24 - 1:13 pm

  Always get compliments on its appearance. Step on the gas and fall back into your seat. Great handling and a real blast to drive. A fun spirited car. All of this wrapped up in a very reasonable price. I also purchased an extended warranty (7 yrs 84k miles) which I thought was reasonably priced.

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  Nissan Delivers Again - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Joseph - October 23 - 8:46 pm

  This car is great,I bought it the same year it got the new body in 2002.I always trusted nissan,my first was a 1985 maxima,then a 1990 maxima,a 2001 quest and of course the 2002 altima.This car only has 49000 miles on it to this day it is always in mint condition.

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  The Answer to this Gals Mid Life Crisis - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By C Reilly - October 23 - 12:53 pm

  Beautiful, powerful car. The inside of my SL is roomy. I live in a northern climate and have really enjoyed the heated steering wheel and heated leather seats. I am a music enthusiast and the 320 watt 8 speaker Bose system delivers awesome surround sound with no distortion. When you need to pass a slow driver on the highway, this thing responds PRONTO! (Its soooo easy to speed in this car; have to be careful.) So many cool luxurious touches; interior lights that fade on and off. A smooth, quiet, classy yet sporty sexy ride that performs and will impress your passengers. I encourage anyone looking at Honda Accord or Toyota Camry to at the very least test drive the Nissan Maxima.

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  Wont Buy Another Nissan - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Kelly - October 23 - 12:16 pm

  This was my first brand new car. Bought Nissan because of reliability. Have been sorely disappointed in quality of car. Have had to replace both front door locks (quit unlocking) windshield (mirror came off with a chunk of windshield with it) Bose 6-CD player quit after 2 years. Now some of the display on radio doesnt work. Drivers side visor falls down 20 times a day & is now velcroed to the headliner. Lost one of the black inner fenders somewhere.One of the little trays in console no longer opens. Drivers seat rocks & moves when you start & stop. Local dealer "has never heard of any of these problems before with a Murano". Im trading it off ASAP.

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  Fun truck to drive - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Ted - October 23 - 3:06 am

  The 05 Frontier is the replacement for a 91 Nissan pick up that I have driven since new. Needless to say, theres a HUGE change here. The physical size of the truck is about the same size as the Dodge Dakota. The power is great for the size of the vehicle and it pulls a trailer like theres nothing back there. The suspension is a little stiff as you would expect from the off road package. I would like a little better gas milage, but i get about 16.6 avg. which isnt terrible. Interior is roomey, but some tall (6-4") people arent going to be comfortable. Build quality so far has been nearly flawless. I had to have the spring on the gas tank door re-set, but thats the only prob so far.

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  Great truck - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By Darrell Smith - October 22 - 9:50 pm

  Ive had this truck now for over a year. And with 90,000 on the odom. Ive given it 1 full engine and tranny tune- up. It cruises on the hiway at 2500 rpms doing 70 mph. And Idles Smooth as glass. I give it 4 out of 5 Starz

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  I love Nissan!! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Sarah - October 22 - 3:53 pm

  I bought the Rogue when it first came out. I have been researching crossovers for the last year or so and for the money, the Rogue was the best deal. I couldnt ask for anything better as far as gas mileage goes. I average about 26 city and 30 highway. I love the amount of room in the back seats. Im 511(with most of that being legs) and for once my knees arent up to my chin while riding. Love the exterior and CVT. I really think I got the best deal for my buck and wouldnt trade my Rogue for anything! Except for maybe a new Rogue.

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  Too soon to tell - 2010 Nissan Sentra
  By Aruna - October 22 - 3:43 am

  This is my first purchase of a brand new car, well it had 14 miles on it already. i like what Nissan has done with the exterior design or their stock, Sentra, Altima and Maxima. so far so good, but its been less than a week and i heard a noise under the hood like i drove over a small branch. Uneasy about that. Nissan took my 2000 Grandam GT w/104k miles for $2200. i couldnt beat that deal so i didnt look further. I took that offer.