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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  My Mean Green - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By Vonnieg - April 17 - 10:00 am

  THis is my first car that was my own. THere are times where i complain but when I think about it I"ve only had to spend $20 on a new AC system,I got brand new brakes (rotors and everything for $200) and a new alternator for $50. I bought my car used and it didnt have a warranty. THe gas milelage is Great, I can go close to 300 miles on one tank of gas. and it only takes $10-15 to fill up. Someone hit me in the rear and my bumper didnt have a dent at all. This car is a very good deal for the year it is. Very easy car to handle, compact parking you name it...

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  Ive had 2 Muranos - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Robert Gibeley - April 17 - 2:06 am

  I purchased my 2nd Murano in November of 08. Traded my 03 Muranowith 95,000 miles. I am not disappointed with new vehicle. Many improvements over previous model. Navagation system awesome, radio great with recording feature. Ride very good but noisy with moon roof open. I miss the memory seat that Nissan decided to remove from the "09--had it in the 03. Dont understand that decision? Overall, very satisfied, would highly recommend. I can fit 4 sets of golf clubs across the back of trunk. Try that in any other SUV out there, including Lexus RX, Lincoln MKX, Ford Edge--no way! I tried it already. Doesnt sound like a deal breaker, unless you are a golfer!

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  Going Strong - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Mike - April 16 - 3:03 pm

  I bought my Pathfinder in Dec. 1999 as a bigger vehicle for my 1st born. Hes almost 12 and in that time weve had noo major problems. It only has 80,000 miles (I use it mainly to commute) and is going strong, so he may end up driving it at 16! The reliability of this vehicle has been excellent. My other cars have always been Toyotas, but this Nissan has been as (if not more) reliable than the Toyotas Ive owned!

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  Nismo Tracked - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By Tony - April 14 - 11:23 pm

  I thought the pricing was about right on my new Nismo, until i got it on the track. What a deal for this car. The car handled very well at full steam even being heavy. The new handling package on the Nismo was fantastic. I have raced professional and know the difference between a car that handles and a car that does not. If they could add another say 75-100 hp it would be perfect. I recommend this car as a true value in a market full of over priced sports cars.

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  New Owner - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By NewOwner - April 14 - 6:43 am

  I have purchased an 04 SL w/16000 miles. So far a a month of ownership I did not encounter any problems. I love the CVT it makes for a smooth ride. The acceleration is above avarage for an SUV but stability on turn is not as I would hope for. The MPG is slightly lower than stated in documents but not bad for this type of enigne. Dont like the front instrument panel (looks like something out of a "future car" movies) but everything else looks comforting. Side nerf of step bars will give it a more sporty look.

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  good quality bad gas milage - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By afda - April 14 - 2:43 am

  the car has been reliable. Everything works. No troubles for years. But its kind of noisy, and sluggish. The gas milage is really poor.

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  Disgruntled in Ohio - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By BIGDAD - April 13 - 11:00 am

  Bought the SV with sports package. Really like the looks of the car and the engine/ transmission combination is sweet. Mileage is also quite good for a car of this type. My main complaint is that the ride comfort with the sport suspension and the low profile tires is extremely harsh and jittery on any road that is not reasonably smooth. And in my city in Ohio, smooth roads are in short supply. I know it is a sports sedan, but the engineers should have been able to design a more supple ride. In addition, I need to get the front fender repainted due to a dark area on the top. It is covered under warranty but is a real bummer.

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  Great SUV but awful seats - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By gscottyc - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Love the truck. Super to take small children to the grandparents. Seats need to be redesigned. Very uncomfortable on long trips. So far so good on the rest.

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  Good but could be better - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Mikecinti - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Van rides great, nice peppy engine, lots of storage space, handles great for a mini van. Plastic storage area that is attached to back of drivers seat has been replaced twice (woman at service desk said its cheap-not exactly what I want to hear after spending 28,000+$). Something wrong with the front brakes, at highway speeds steering wheel shakes (have to take that in), DVD and auto doors are great. Screen needs to be brighter. Love the center counsle, great visability for a van. Wiper controls are hard to work, have to take your eye off the road to use them (for intermit/and rear)

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  New Vehicle, expect minor problems - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By sgtglenn - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Purchased in June 2004.You truly have as much back seat room as front seat. I added (off- site) a spray in liner and tonneau cover for much less than dealer could have done. Made a 2450 mile trip to Colorado after owning vehicle for 3 weeks. Awesome performance and great gas mileage. With air conditioning, I averaged 17 mpg and without, 20 mpg. Yes, 20 mpg in the mountains w/o air conditioning. Had one problem on vacation. Nissan is having major problems with the regulators in the power windows. They WILL break, just ask yourself when. The window will not roll up and I drove around on vacation with a 2x4 in my door panel, but the window did stay