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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  If you THINK you want it - get it! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By SoCal Roy - October 14 - 9:03 pm

  Wifes lovin it. First-time Nissan owner - but Pathfinders great history. Strong resale, LOTS of power, great ride/handling, smooth/quiet. Have an 18ft I/O boat, so needed a family vehicle to tow WITH EASE while not being cumbersome hard-to-park the rest of year and contrary to others I think the mileage is just fine for this type vehicle (ave. 20 mpg on last hiway trip - my best hiway Dodge Club Ram ave.15) You do NOT "require" premium gas - perfect on 87 octane. Much roomier than the Pilot. Use the internet to purchase - fight for invoice pricing!!!

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  CVT - EXCELLENT CAR - 2008 Nissan Maxima
  By Rick - October 14 - 7:40 pm

  I have owned a 2005 Maxima, which was totaled early this year and now a 2008 Maxima. This car is really a considerable car to purchase. The comfort and performance stands out in 2008 Maxima. There are too many car buyers down-playing the CVT engine. People have been use to the engine shifting over 50 years of cars. This Maxima with CVT has no shift shock. So its nice and smooth driving. 0-60 in 6 seconds and I able to pull a track time of 14.8 1/4 mile in 75 degree weather. With my 05 Maxima, I put on 35K miles and had NO problems with the engine. Now with this new 2008 Maxima, I have 5K miles and still no problems. This 08 SL is worth what I spent and I highly recommend it.

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  Great car - 2017 Nissan Sentra
  By Mike Luna - October 14 - 9:44 am

  Nissan dealership will help in anyway to get you in a new car

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  Love It! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By EEJ3rd - October 14 - 2:30 am

  The best truck on the market. Drove them all and this is clearly the pace- setter. Handles very crisply and I love the torque at low RPMs. I also enjoy the looks you get around town.

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  2007 Armada - 2007 Nissan Armada
  By J.W. Frazier - October 14 - 12:46 am

  This is the second Armada I have purchased since 2005. My overall experience has been very rewarding. The vehicle displays very satisfying levels of control and power. Acceleration is awesome for a vehicle of this size. Fit and finish is first rate. Interior noise level is acceptable. Very good sound system. Brake issues appear to have been resolved.

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  Best Truck Ive Owned - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By soonerjeff - October 13 - 10:23 am

  I went looking for a replacement for my 2002 Ford F150 Supercrew. I test drove another Ford and also a Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Honda and GMC but really loved the Titan Pro-4x. Large beautiful interior, Rockord Fosgate stereo, memory seats, Bluetooth, smooth ride and an awesome exhaust note. I really like the way the back seats fold up out of the way giving my dogs or the groceries lots of space. The cargo area is well designed with a 12-volt accessory jack, tailgate lights, factory spray in liner, utilitrack cargo tie-down system and an assisted lockable tailgate. I recently took a 900 mile trip and averaged 17.1 mpg on the highway. Not too bad for a 317 hp V8.

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  kenny - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By kenny - October 13 - 8:03 am

  fun to drive & gets good mileage around town. mileage on hiway could be better. have had some brake problems

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  Great little SUV - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By Jim Storsberg - October 13 - 3:42 am

  Purchased at wifes request. She is 5 feet tall and weighs 98 lbs. Loves that she can sit high enough to see all around. Loves the color and interior. Very comfortable for a small vehicle. Her previous car (and now my car) an Infiniti G37. She prefers the Rogue!

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  2013 Sentra hits the mark. - 2013 Nissan Sentra
  By drewber - October 12 - 7:43 pm

  I own the 2013 Sentra SV model. I bought this car at the beginning of 2013. All I can say is that its an excellent vehicle for the price. The fuel economy is fantastic. I have to say though that I was quite surprised how this car performed compared to a Civic and Elantra which were the other vehicles I was considering at the time. The 2013 Sentra had the most space both in the trunk and interior for passengers compared to the other cars (amazing head room cause im 6ft tall. It also had the best features with different trims. Dont complain about mediocre acceleration or engine thrills, this aint a Ferrari or BMW. Its safe,efficient and roomy. The Trifecta for sub-compacts.

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  2.5 L gutless wonder - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By porsche habit - October 12 - 6:50 pm

  The most BASIC/cheapest xe, 4 cyl. Engine and trans are not a good match. Power and torque below 2500 rpm is terrible. Gas mileage with gas here in Hawaii is only 21 mpg. But again our fuel is 10% ethanol so straight gas would give you about 10% better average, so that would be about 23 mpg. It is a very heavy truck so the 4 cyl. Has to work hard and the mileage shows. The gear ratios are wrong, you have to wind it out or when you upshift it bogs down badly. A six speed would be more appropriate. Drives well, good brakes, BASIC interior, great reliability, good value for the buck. My friends with the same truck but 6 cyl. Love the power they got on tap but 6 cyl. Mileage is only 18 mpg.