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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  So far disappointing - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By grafking - May 4 - 2:26 am

  Bought car used with 23,000 miles on it, traded in 2006 spec v completly bolted with nismo add on, altima is beauty of a car I got the 3.5 se and the power is great, have had less than a week and I have been to dealer twice passenger front seatbelt was broken and it had been in a slight fender bender which sales man didnt tell me about when reading the carfax to me I should of read it myself, bonehead move on my part, all in all it is a Nice car but the oem bridgestones are like driving on the original caveman wheel, LOL, extremely loud on highway to say the least. I traded my spec v in because of medical issues from a injury I received in Kuwait, hope I made the right choice time will tell.

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  Phat - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Sentra Spec V - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Love my baby.I like the interior and the exterior and especially the sound system!

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  Pay for Economy - Get First Class - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By LP - May 3 - 3:43 pm

  The Versa is an economy car in first class cladding. The Versa has more than other cars in its class - larger tires (15"), larger interior space (feels bigger than it is) and good gas mileage. Some say the car is breezy, I dont find it breezy at all. I drive 90 miles each way on my once-a- week commute and find the car solid and comfortable on the interstate. The seats are large and solid and nicely upholstered. Interior looks expensive like a Maxima, way better than our Echos plasto box interior. Exterior has that funky European styling that we just dont get over here in North America. Engine is capable - a bit buzzy but with the CVT it settles down once up to speed.

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  An excellent cross-over - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By unmeshk - May 3 - 4:57 am

  We bought ours new in 2008 and have used it for about 40,000 miles. We loved it when we bought it and having used it for city as well as highway driving, we have grown even more fond of it. The ride is powerful yet comfortable and reasonably quite. It couldve been sportier, but thats just a personal taste. The interiors are great, especially the leather seats and the sound system. Theres enough cargo space for a family of 3 to 4. There have been no problems with the vehicle in the last 3 years, except for one of the electronic keys that stopped working. In summary, get one if you like the drive of a car and utility of SUV. Itll be a great ride!

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  What they DONT tell you... - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By CMB28 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving my Sentra SpecV for close to 6 months now, after researching at Edmunds, I was surprised some of the things that Edmunds/dealers dont mention: 1. The SpecV comes standard with 22lb 17" rims, very heavy rims with equally heavy tires that you cannot put snow chains on, due to their size in the wheel well. On top of that, the Contisport tires are LOUSY in wet weather. 2. You will not be able to put mud guards on your car-the dealers mentioned that Nissan was making them- that was a lie. The side/wheel molding does not allow mud guards to be installed behind the front tires-so mud/gr gets all over the doors. Inexcuseable.

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  Nissan Xterra Grande - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By keithcap - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I have had no problems with my Xterra. Its drive is very comfortable and smooth. The power is perfect for most of my applications.

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  this car works good - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By linda - May 1 - 4:43 am

  this car has power to move fast. i have only had to maintain the oil and lube service .

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  Good All Around Performer - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Tundrathunder - April 30 - 3:03 am

  We had every intention of buying another 4Runner, unfortunately, due to the stupidity of the 3rd row seat design by Toyota in the 4Runner (the seats do NOT fold down but fold over & hang on the rear walls causing blind spots on both sides) we had to look at the Pathfinder. After our test drive and research, we found that even with the 3rd row seat up, I could not only fit my golf clubs in the cargo area, but a double stroller as well. Neither was possible in the 4Runner with the seats up or hanging. Power & comfort are better in the Pathfinder and also has a slightly better ride. Fit & finish are by far better in the 4Runner. If you have issues with gas mileage, buy a car for Petes sake!

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  Best Used Car for the $$ - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Matt025 - April 30 - 2:00 am

  1996 Maxima GLE Price Paid: $11,500 Mileage at Purchase: 74,000 Current Mileage: 170,000 Couldnt be more impressed. Ive driven this vehicle to death and its still running strong. If you change the fluids, spark plugs and filters at the recommended intervals this vehicle will last. Mine is approaching 200k AND IT STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION!! Although my next vehicle will be a truck, I will definitely buy a Nissan or Infiniti on my next car purchase. This is the absolute best used car you can buy.

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  StillLuvMyPath - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By nissanlover - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Had a 2001 Pathfinder for three years. Perfect SUV...no problem at all. Changed to Murano because it was the new car in the block. Drives really well until we hit a pothole! Big or small holes, you can feel the bumps and hear the thumps! Especially in New York City. Nissan should either make the car a little higher with plusher seats and better suspension to soak up the bumps.