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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  Still Loving It - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By jna - July 16 - 10:00 am

  What a great vehicle. It is a joy to drive and ride in.

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  CHK ENGINE SOON - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By RONDA - July 16 - 10:00 am

  WELL WITH LESS THAN 1200 MILES ON CAR MOST PUT ON IT WITH THE IDIOT LIGHT ON CHK ENGINE SOON THAT FIRST CAME ON AT 192 MILES AND NOW WORKING WITH THE SECOND DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND FIX THE PROBLEM ILL LET YOU MAKE THE CHOICE. ITS A GREAT CAR TO DRIVE HANDLES GREAT PLENTY OF TOURQ GAS MILEGE HOVERS AROUND 21-25 ON THE INTERSATE AND 18 AROUND TOWN MIGHT WANT TO INVEST IN SOME ELECTRICAL TAPE FOR THAT PESKIE LIGHT

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  simply the best - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By captain brandon - July 16 - 10:00 am

  This car is a dream to drive. It handles great, and the power is strong and smooth. It is so much fun to drive, that it is addictive.

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  What Ive Always Wanted - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Beathany - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Ive always wanted this vehicle ever since the model style changed from the old one. It was love at first sight and now that I own it, I fall in love over and over again everytime I drive it. The car is amazing and I highly recommend it as a first choice for affordability and reliability.

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  My Maxie - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By DonnaT - July 16 - 10:00 am

  This is the first Nissan Ive owned and let me tell you...I love it!!! The 2004 Maxima is beautiful and fun to drive. Im especially enjoying the Navagational system. I highly recommend this wonderful car with its sleek curves and luxuious interior, to anyone desiring a classy vehicle that is fun to drive.

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  If it werent for the dang tires.... - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Big T - July 16 - 9:10 am

  I would love to say that everything about my car is rosy and great. However, Nissan for some inexplicable reason decided to install Continental tires on these cars (at least the ones sold here in Indianapolis), and the dang thing will chatter the teeth out of your head at 75mph plus. Other than that its a superb car and I cannot wait until I have the cash to replace those tires with Michelins. In all honesty I love this car. It has great power for a 4banger and is very smooth (if you dont have a lead foot like me). The only other issue Ive had is that it tends to sound a bit like a diesel when you start it cold. Im told that this is perfectly normal...if not a bit annoying at times.

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  READ THIS!! - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By arob0505 - July 16 - 5:15 am

  My father bought a 1997 Pathfinder LE loaded off the showroom in 1997. He was a traveling sales rep and he sold me the car in 2004 with 265k. I drove it until it had 310k and gave it to my little brother in law for his 16th birthday present. He drove it for another year and a half and traded it in on a new Scion. I absolutely loved how smooth the tranny shifted, how quiet the engine was and how roomy the interior was. I loved it so much that I am buying another 1997 SE in 2 days! I think it is one of the best and most underrated SUVs ever made. It eats the snow and dirt and never dies. GET ONE!!

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  Nissan Altima 3.5l SE Review - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By bunk22 - July 15 - 6:00 pm

  I purchased my Altima with the intent of it being my daily driver, 60 miles a day. Previously owned an 04 Maxima and loved the 3.5l engine. The Altima had 47,XXX miles when I bought it and 2.5 years later has 81,XXX miles. It is the A4 model with all leather interior. I change the oil every 4000 miles, rotate the tires and keep it in great shape. The engine is great, very good power to pass traffic or easily accelerate onto a freeway. The engine still runs beautifully; the car handles great; the interior leather looks awesome for 81K miles (though I do take great care of it). My only complaint in 2.5 years is that my 6- disc CD player just gave out.

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  Great Vehicle - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By KSgrl - July 15 - 12:26 pm

  Looked at several different vehicles. I have always purchased Honda vehicles, but decided to try Nissan this time. The price was right at the dealership and the financing rate through Nissan was the clincher. Although we have only driven it around 800 miles, I believe we made the right decision. The ride is real smooth and it will be great both in town and for trips out of town.

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  Transmission Woes - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By BadChuggle - July 15 - 9:03 am

  This is my first Nissan. First off, I love the looks and design of the unit. After my first road trip with the unit 1500 miles I started experiencing the dreaded torque converter problem you will read about. It has lived at the dealer for weeks while they an Nissan diagnosed the problem. The long and short, there is no known cure for these symptoms. 30-45 MPH (5th gear) torque converter clunks with slightest variation in RPM (up and down). Worse yet is that at highway speeds (cruise on) down a hill, it happens over and over again (worse). Now 15000+ miles, cant stand to drive the truck because of the clunking. Make sure that you keep on the dealer for a fix! This condition is not right!