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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  best Z ever - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By jeffcjeffw - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Incredibly fun to drive. Power to spare. Complaints about poor rear view visibility are overstated... no worse that any other convertible. Smoothest shifting that Ive ever experienced and throaty, powerful acceleration.

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  THE ULTIMATE CAR - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By CAJJUN5 - February 1 - 2:00 am

  NOTHING BUT JOY AND MAXIMUME POWER. YOU GOT GET THIS CAR. THE BEST SPORTS AND LUXURAY COMBINED.

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  great for the $ - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By Aaron - January 31 - 1:36 pm

  Bought this car for gas mileage, but was also impressed with performance from the little 1.8. Very reliable, only problem so far is the heater control lite. car is pretty comfortable for the size, the back seat is tight, but who cares I sit in the front.

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  PRO-4X is awesome - 2011 Nissan Xterra
  By outdoorzman - January 31 - 9:44 am

  I picked the PRO-4X model and its awesome. Its rugged and capable without sacrificing practibility. The V6 is very strong and the ride is very smooth. It has lots of little cubby holes and nets for storage. I like the fabric of the interior as well as the material in the rear cargo area. It should be very easy to clean. The top rack is very nice and its also got a little storage area up there as well. The mileage isnt great and the back seats could be easier to get in and out of but its an off-road SUV and I really didnt expect it to be any different. I picked this vehicle over the FJ because it was more practical for my needs. Take a look and I promise you will like it.

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  A joy to drive - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By dennis - January 29 - 7:10 pm

  fun to drive, smooth quiet ride, great mileage 28 mpg in town, spacious and comfortable interior and looks very nice. Seems to be well-built and solid.

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  4x4 heaven - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By KEW - January 29 - 2:00 am

  2002 pathfinder SE is untouchable in most ways. Power, stability, styling, quality, ride comfort and did I mention power. However, every time I stomp on the accelerator pedal I see the needle on the gas gage drop...oh well, nobody said heaven is perfect and the sacrifices are well worth it! AND PLEASE CHECK OUT http://forums.vmag.com/suvpathfinder0200/ FOR ALL YOUR PATHFINDER Q&As

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  The best truck Ive ever owned - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By Anthoy Clay - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive had a 93 and 98 Ford Ranger. but I have to say ever since I got my 01 frontier crew cab. I have been very-very impressed, with everthing but the gas mileage, but the trucks style, comfort and handling make up for it. I havnt had ant problems with the truck it now has 32k and running like it did when I first drove. GOOD JOB NISSAN. Ford needs to payt more attention.

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  New Owner Review - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By DATSUN - January 29 - 2:00 am

  First time Ive owned a new vehicle without even a hint of problems. The crew cab is best thing Ive bought, truck, sedan, SUV all in one. Im getting about 20mpg with all highway miles, better than the sticker, but, not certain why they cant get that healthy engine at around 25mpg on the highway. Mileage my only complaint.

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  Nissan Convert - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By NissanNewbie - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Nissan, and it came only after a very LONG deliberation between it and the Tacoma. Ive owned a 04 Tacoma, and it was a very reliable truck. But I always had this nagging voice in my head that I should have gotten a higher quality driving experience from the large amount of money they demand for that truck. This truck not only costs several thousand less, but "Feels" higher quality. The materials dont feel cheap like the Toy, and unlike the Toy, the steel around the bed doesnt feel like it should be wrapped around fish, instead of a truck. I got the "Lux Package", so the interior is SWEET! Once I drove them both, the decision was very easy. Nissan for the win!

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  Superb little car - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Rosalind - January 28 - 9:33 pm

  When I first saw this car, I loved the way it looked. After purchasing the car, I love the size of it, how I fit in small spaces, and the way it revs up when you put your foot on the accelerator. It looks smaller outside than it is inside. Also I have a brother in law who is at least 64", and he had plenty of room in the back seat. I am a woman of 59", and I am so comfortable.