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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  Dont mess with Titan - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Byron - August 4 - 10:30 pm

  Wow! Awesome truck! Blows away Ford, Chevy and Dodge. Handles like a sports car and has more than enough power. Love getting this truck on the open highway. Cruise at 85 miles an hour and only running 2000 rpm! Smooth and solid ride, quiet interior with nice V8 rumble. Interior well thought out and comfortable. No rattles or vibration at all. Plenty of room inside. Nissan did a great job with this truck. They have exceeded my expectations for a pickup. Very pleased thus far with purchase. Love watching the competition trying to catch me!

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  Love the Car - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By Larry - August 4 - 10:23 pm

  Superior acceleration, ride. Real highway cruiser in the best sense of the term. Drivetrain is a pleasure (world class VQ + new CVT = even better). The breaking in process gives me an excuse to modify acceleration, but I think Ill be doing it just for fun for a long time (swoops up nicely from 50-80+ without effort). The CVT, in my humble opinion, gives this car a performance advantage, as well as a nice aesthetic. Speaking of aesthetics, this Nissan provides what is too lacking in most competitors: an actually good looking car that you can connect to on an emotional level, in addition to being a fine machine. The 07 interior much better than 06.

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  Recommend it to Everyone - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Kelly - August 4 - 8:50 pm

  I love my Nissan Rogue. Its a great sporty car, that has plenty of room for me and all of my friends, but it definitely isnt a gas guzzler. It drives nice, looks great and gets great gas mileage. In my opinion it is definitely the best crossover that I test drove and Im so glad I decided on the Rogue. I was concerned that it was only a 4 cylinder but it has great pick up and I dont miss my old V6 one bit. I would recommend this car to everyone, its fantastic!

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  Looks good... rides bad - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By quag_grenade - August 4 - 5:02 pm

  I bought the xterra with high hopes. I fell in love with its looks and was hooked. I knew going into it that it would get bad mpg and require premium gas but even then was surprised. I had heard 18-21 mpg or so... i was lucky if I got 15 average (and I drive 80% highway and very conservatively). However I was even willing to look past this fact were it not for the absolutely terrible reliability. In the six months I owned the car it cost me over $4000 in repairs! Twice it died on me on the road (once was camping in the woods 3 hrs from home). Bottom line is, only get one if you have a lot of extra money for gas and high priced, frequent repairs.

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  Economical Car - 1998 Nissan Sentra
  By Sandie Wagner - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I needed a new car for every day use. Fuel economy was important. My first choice was a Corolla, but decided to try the Sentra. Manual said you could lock all doors with key, but that was not true. Dealership played dumb. Battery had to be replaced after 3.5 years. Radio backlight started flickering, then went out a few years ago. Rust from beneath paint a year ago. A/C drains power for acceleration or going up hill. Dashboard cup holders useless. Obstructs use of radio and climate controls. Great gas mileage, low motor noise, starts every time.

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  love it - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By pordy - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a mid-size 4-door, manual transmission vehicle with lots of options- there are no alternatives even close to the Maxima in this price range (~$16 - $18K in 2004). Car is comfortable, fast, large, loaded with options, and comes with Nissans rock solid reliablity. I drove a 4-dr G35 with a manual that felt confined and the interior looked/felt cheap.

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  wish it worked as good as it looks - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Kristi Gavagan - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had fun driving it and I said I would NEVER own one. People come up to me in parking lots and ask about it all the time. I do have a prob with having to take a brand new vehicle in for repairs. Like someone prev wrote, I had trouble starting it and one day it just wouldnt start with two unhappy kids. I have it in the shop now because it got stuck in third gear over the 4th of July and I have to take it back next week for a bunch of parts that are being recalled. They arent making my life any easier by offering loaner cars and they dont even vaccuum your vehicle for you after you have it serviced. Even Ford does better.

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  A HIT BUT NOT A HOMER - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By dON rEED - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Interior disappointing insofar as storage and materials. Exterior still turns heads. Tire feathering problem is worrysome, dealer says the alignment is in spec but I have the problem. Does that mean there is no fix??

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  Maxima WOW!!! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By lockja - August 4 - 10:00 am

  My wife wanted to look at the maxima, but I was leaning towards honda. I got in to test drive and was impressed. After I stomped on it a little bit... I fell in love!!! What an engine!!! You sneeze on the gas pedal and it jumps!!! My parents just bought a new 04 Lexus and they are even jealous. I promise... you cant go wrong with this years Maxima!

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  Altima - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By PhilU - August 3 - 11:03 am

  Have had my Altima a little over two months. No major complaints. Im coming out of a dodge charger so the ride is no way near as smooth. I began to experience a little rattling somewhere in cabin, Im going to take it in for that. I cant stand rattles and squeaks. Fit and finish is great compared to pre 2007 models. Ride isnt as smooth as my 03 2.5 S altima.