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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  Pathfinder - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By vmi82 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  It was extremely dependable, but not as good as others on gas.

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  Another Winner - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By pathman - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Im a dedicated Maxima driver but with kids now, our last purchase required more room. Ive had our Pathfinder for over a year now. Im very impressed with the performance. It negotiates the snowiest hills of NH and the deepest sands of the beach without effort. Yes, it chows a lot more gas than Id like, but so do all the vehicles in this class... hopefully a gas/electric hybrid SUV is in Nissans future. Ford is about to release the first SUV hybrid as an Escape model. Speaking of Ford, I must comment on Angr1s review and choice to trade his Pathfinder for an Explorer!? Before I drove Maximas, I drove T-Birds. Good luck with your F.O.R.D (fix or repair daily)!

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  Another Winner - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Pathman - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Im a dedicated Maxima driver but with kids now, our last purchase required more room. Ive had our Pathfinder for over a year now. Im very impressed with the performance. It negotiates the snowiest hills of NH and the deepest sands of the beach without effort. Yes, it chows a lot more gas than Id like, but so do all the vehicles in this class... hopefully a gas/electric hybrid SUV is in Nissans future. Ford is about to release the first SUV hybrid as an Escape model. Speaking of Ford, I must comment on Angr1s review and choice to trade his Pathfinder for an Explorer!? Before I drove Maximas, I drove T-Birds. Good luck with your F.O.R.D (fix or repair daily)!

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  just bought one - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By keebler - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my 02 Frontier CrewCab with the 6 bed, and althoughive only put 25 miles on it, it is so nice. i think i wount have any regrets for buying it.

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  Fun Car Always Gets Head Turns - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By DNAMan - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for ten months now. Only two minor problems, both elctrical connections. This 4 cylinder engine does pack power. I still get people asking me how I customized it, I tell them I just bought it off the lot! There is some road noise (much more than the 3 Toyotas Ive had) especially on concrete but I can live with it.

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  Nissan - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ANNETTE - April 14 - 9:16 am

  I Have had my pathfinder since day one, and it is so hard for me to give it up now, I have had "NO PROBLEMS" with it, I have over 175,000 miles and still going, I added the remote start to it and changed the radio to have a cd player,i am in the process of selling it and the trust is in excellent shape for being over 10 yrs old. inside and out, I wish that nissan kept the same body style but they changed it. I recommend Nissan. I had this truck in service just about every 3K miles and can say that is why i have had no problems with it.

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  Great car - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By waynerb66 - April 14 - 5:26 am

  I bought this car with 59,000 kms on it in 2004. I now have 255,000 kms on it. I have never had anything major go wrong with it. I have replaced the rad, the alternator, the usual stuff, like ball joints and battery. Last year I did have to change some suspension parts. It was a lot of money, but it has a lot of mileage on it. So far it still has the same exhaust on it. It also has the original struts on the front. It doesnt burn oil. I change it regularly between 5000 and 7000 kms. It is starting to show signs of age though. I am having problems starting it. It still starts, it just takes a couple of cranks. Living in Canada, the salt is starting to take its toll also.

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  Well Satisfied - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Grumpyman - April 14 - 4:16 am

  This is a great little car! I did a lot of research when looking for a new car and the SE-R seemed to be the best value. I havent been disappointed! This is a great car for the price range and a lot of fun to drive.

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  True Driver - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By NIZZMO - April 13 - 9:16 pm

  To experience both the normal Z and the NISMO tuned Z, is more than enough for you to quickly decide which is for you. The 2 are very similar interior wise, power wise, and that is where it ends. The nismo, is a much more aggressive/racing type car, yes you can travel, the gas mileage is comparable if you can keep your foot out of it! Good luck with that. The car handles like a dream, you can push it to the edge of your own limits and it still wants more, the stiffer chassis, and upgraded suspension make this car worth the little extra it costs to own, over a normal Z. If you like to drive, and love the road this car is for you!!! If not then I suggest a normal Z.

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  This is my third Maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Millie - April 13 - 6:30 am

  This is a great car inside and out. Comfortable and exciting to drive. Only objections are the poor turning radius and the occasional tendency of the car to "get away" from you when accelerating under certain conditions, two flaws I knew about before purchasing, but which did not deter me because Maximas are so reliable. Also, original set of tires went 60K miles before needing replacement. I owned 1989, 1994 and 2004 models and liked them all. Had zero mechanical problems. Drove the 1994 for 10 yrs, 105K miles and sold it for $5K. I do a lot of highway driving and this car is fantastic for long trips.