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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  SAVE YOUR MONEY! - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By SLAVA - October 25 - 9:13 am

  Where should I start? 2K miles first set of brakes. All windows squeak. Ive been to the dealership 3 times, still cant fix it. Parts are on backorder for 2 months, now. 3500 miles, I lost the brakes COMPLETELY!!! After I was laughed at in the dealership, they found out that the power brakes booster went. Part went from being on "local" back order to "national" backorder. Car has been in the dealership for a week and nobody can say when am I getting it back. I paid $40K to drive a rental car. The only excuse everybody is giving me is that "its the first year" So what????

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  Great car and better value - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By V6Altima - October 25 - 7:26 am

  Purchased the Altima 3.5 SR after comparing to the Mazda 6 GT and Nissan Maxima. In my opinion, the quality, feature set, and performance rival the Maxima, but at a significantly lower price point. The CVT has been flawless, as well as the overall functioning of the vehicle. The V6 is quite refined, and a pleasure to accelerate on the freeway. Smooth ride and quiet cabin, even with the sport-tuned suspension on the SR. Regular (87) gas is a welcomed upgrade from the 09 V6. Fit and finish were above average in my opinion, with a very attractive, yet mature interior cabin. Navigation is by far the best I have used, and the new for 10 iPod interface is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.

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  My 1st SUV - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By PJKT01 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my first SUV, I have been married for 4 years and we have 2 children ages 3 & 2. I had a 99 ZX2 which I loved but it was getting too small. So we decided to go look for SUVs, I first drove a 2002 KIA, and I didnt like it at all. So he said for arouns the same price we have this Pathfinder, I was amazed at all the features it had and the way it rode compared to the BRAND NEW KIA. It was a leased car it was low on miles 52000, Have to get used to spending 25 dollars on gas instead of 15 and getting the same amount of mileage. ALL IN ALL ITS GREAT FOR MY FIRST SUV, I would never get another car again....

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  First Time Nissan Buyer - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Tom Neston - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Nissan Sentra Was Going To Be A Cross Country Road Trip From New Jersey To California. Plus A Trip From New To Key West Florida. During The First 4 Months That I have owned The Nissan Sentra It has performed wonderfully, without any problems. I purchased It on June 29, 2002 And Today It Is November 28, 2002. The Auto has 25,000 Miles on it and the next trip will be to Seattle, Washington and Bownsville, Texas. Great Small Car.

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  Magic in Orlando - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Magic in Orlando - October 25 - 12:43 am

  I traded in my gas guzzling 06 Frontier for the 07 Versa. I test drove other similar sized autos and nothing else compares (Yaris, Aveo, Fit, Focus). Very sturdy handling, CVT provides "flying carpet" ride - very smooth. Interior appointments make driving bearable. Though I took a hit for trading in the 06 so soon, still have lower payments and gas costs and consider it a great decision.

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  Great car! - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By bemmoftn - October 24 - 9:26 pm

  I loved this car from day 1, and I still love this car on day 4,655. It has always been a reliable car, never let us down. Nissan may not have built the most beautifully designed Maxima in 1997, but it sure built a fun to drive, sturdy one. We finally decided to buy a new one, and let this one go to someone else. We couldnt buy any other car. We bought a 2010 Maxima.

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  Love the Gizmo - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Johnboy from NY - October 24 - 6:13 pm

  Ive had the Crew Cab Nismo (a.k.a. Gizmo) for 5 months now. Its one of the most fun to drive trucks that Ive ever had. I was a little worried about the Nismo off-road package while on the road, but the stiffer suspension is fine in all but the roughest pot hole highways, where your back-end will try to beat out the front end at speed. The only imperfections that Ive had is a rattle in the dash when its cold ( I havent dropped it off for repairs until it stays cold so they can hear it), and the rubber stops on the tailgate fall off easy. I am RTVing them on when the replacements get here. Overall, I love the truck. I get an average of 16.5 mpg in town and 20 on long highway trips.

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  Almost perfect - 2014 Nissan Pathfinder
  By tykes - October 24 - 5:00 pm

  Updated review- Bought 2014 SL 4x4 in Aug. 2013. 3k - 5k miles we experienced the shudder, took it into the dealer, they fixed it. 22k miles the CVT started acting up again, took it in and they replaced the transmission! At 32k miles it did it again, again they adjusted it, at 37k it hasnt done it again, so far. We have been very lucky/happy with our dealer and the service they have provided us with on this issue. Pros - Smooth ride, great features, love the leg room, good gas mileage, fun to drive, reasonably priced, Got into head on collision, very impressed with the safety features of this car. Car was totaled. Really love this car but will not buy again until CVT is fixed.

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  Limited Edition Pathfinder - 2010 Nissan Pathfinder
  By carnutz99 - October 24 - 1:28 pm

  we own a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder LE and we love it. plus it does have a navigation system and we used it but we are not so crazy about it and it does have heated seats. it has 3rd row seats to but we never use them because we only have 3 people in our family.

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  Not bad for first time out - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By James - October 24 - 12:50 pm

  Very impressed with the Titan. Drove a Tundra prior and there is no comparison. The Titan is bigger, roomier, and definately more powerful. Sure the Tundra is more refined and luxurious but this is a truck, not a Lexus. The Titan identifies what the truck owner needs.