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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  Disappointing MPG - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By DannyRay - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Bad news first: I have been unable to get above 16 MPG city or HIGHWAY. This is totally unacceptable. I love the way it drives and handles. The interior is laid out very nicely except for the odd little storage below the radio. I love the exterior styling, still getting lots of looks. Im not sure if I will be keeping it, if Nissan or the dealer wont do something.

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  Had to have this truck!!! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By titanfan - November 8 - 2:00 am

  After you drive this truck youll have to have it too!! You wont even believe the power these things have until you actually drive one for yourself. They are literally flying off the lots everywhere. Nissan more than delivered everything they said they would. Exceptional power, ride, interior design and sound system!! The TITAN blows the doors off all others!!

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  Drive this before you buy another - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Storm1 - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Purchased crew cab LE, 4X4. Beautiful vechicle inside and out. Not the Nissan of old! Responsive stering, throaty exhaust and a tight suspension make this truck very fun to drive. My wife was nervous to drive it because she thought it would drive like a big, clumsy truck but once she got behind the wheel she did not want to give it up! If you are thinking about buying a Chevy, Dodge or Ford (Tundra does not compare) then you should test drive this truck! You wont be sorry! Only thing I can say negative is that they are not readily available yet and this causes the dealers not to deal much. These trucks are selling at MSRP or not much off at all.

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  Great SUV - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By joe - November 8 - 12:30 am

  love this SUV. Great power and very reliable. No problems so far with 50k miles. It has so much power and the options are amazing. I drove some other SUVs and no comparison. The patty has more space, more power, more options.The v8 can tow anything and great for on and off road.

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  Great for the price. - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Burt - November 7 - 11:50 pm

  This small truck was exactly what I needed for a new sales job, inexpensive, small, some carring ability and good gas milage. I have been back to the dealer twice to fix a noise in rear when braking, problem still exists. Fun and semi peppy to drive, sporty feel. It should be faster for a 2400cc, 16 valve engine, Gas mileage was 22, I thought it should be better for a 4 cylinder mini truck, K&N air filter and Flowmaster exaust improved it by 10%.

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  Engine problems - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By 4battles - November 7 - 7:10 pm

  I have a 2011 Juke and recently the timing chain broke causing engine damage to the point that the engine needs to be replaced. I have 75000 miles on it due to my job requiring travel. Nissan told me that it is a good car and can handle anything I throw at it. NIssan has agreed to pay for the engine and parts but want me to pay for labor. I am caught over a barrel on this one. The new engine is only covered for 12 months or 12000 miles. This is the first nissan I have ever owned and I promise it will be the last.

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  Nice truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Meanbiker - November 7 - 3:13 pm

  Vehicle is solid and to this point very dependable. Everything works as advertised. I have pulled a trailer and load that was over the 9400 pound limit with no problem. Very impressive.

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  If you live in the cold dont buy it - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By No - November 7 - 11:06 am

  I have had this car less than 3 months and live in the Northeast. I expect to be sold a car that can handle the cold, rain and snow. Ive already had several issues including the remote control start not working when it gets below 15, even while standing right in front of it. Today I went out to start and move my car and the heater, defrosters and fans arent working. There are a lot of angles that hold snow and ice. The ice interfers with the sensors and will cause it to think you are crashing when you are not and automatically engages the breaks for no reason. So far not impressed wishing I had never traded my 2008 rogue in

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  Best in 35 years of driving - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Keene Owner - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Of all the vehicles I have driven in the past 35 years I like my Maxima GLE the best. Even though the exceptional comfort sold me the car I appreciate the more than adequate power, the feel of the car on the road, and the reliability. My Nissan dealer provides the best service I have ever experienced in 35 years of automobile ownership. I recommend this car without reservation.

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  scratched paint - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JMM71 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Picked up my Pathfinder. Took off the wind deflector for the sunroof that can with the vehicle( I dont like them or the look. It was all scratched underneath. A little disappointed at the fools that installed it. They did a good job messing up the Sherwood Green paint, right to the metal(and not just a little). Bringing it back to dealership, after having it 1 day. Other than that. Its no sedan (previouesly owned a 2001 V6 Accord EX), but I knew that before my fiance and I traded our cars in for one automobile.