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:

• 

  Hope the new ones are better - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Blaine - May 14 - 8:43 pm

  Car looks great & handles well. Right away we had trouble with paint chipping on back door sill, dealer was no help even though other Maximas were better. 20000km chrome (plastic) on grille peeled but dealer replaced. 61000km the battery went, 81000km a rear well sensor went, ABS, slip & VDC not working. Replaced the sensor, 220km those features not working again. No problem getting it looked at, the problem is the bill that ALWAYS comes with it. Slight steering wheel vibration, other reviews scares me to thinking it could be bearings. Would I buy another? Not sure at this time, I like the looks of the 09, but am hesitant.

• 

  Electrical Nightmare - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Electrical Nightmare - May 14 - 11:03 am

  At 60K miles, this vehicle is amazingly problematic. We have taken good care of it, but I have lost track of all the electrical problems. I will try to recount them: - The ignition wont come on reliably. I drove it to work today and when I tried to go to lunch it would not start. I was stuck with a buck and a vending machine. - Rear window wont roll up from front switch. - Gear shifter wont budge from park when applying the brake. - Engine light keeps coming on because of the electronic fuel injection controls (bad connector).

• 

  My mistress - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Nismax - May 14 - 10:00 am

  albeit a patient economical one! This is my second Maxi - I had a 96 SE that was a write off after my wife did a number on it - and I found this on a dealer lot - 5 spd GXE. This tranny has been so much fun to drive and I have nothing but wear and tear items as far as maintenance - tires, plugs, wipers, etc. Gas mileage is wonderful and the great thing is so many people secretly admire this car - even camry owners! Will drive this as long as possible and perhaps upgrade to I35 or 540i

• 

  Excellent Daily Driver - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By kwamdoo - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I appreciate the sporty feel that the car gives you eventhough its a four door sport sedan which feels as quick, nimble and agile as some two door coupes onthe market today. Im not as tall as many men, but extremely wide across my shoulders. This car seememd to support my wide frame with its wide and supportive seats, rather than having my shoulders sitting out without any support like many other vehicles in its class. The interior design of the controls is somewhat bland, but all and all, is very easy to access while driving.

• 

  Nissan Pathfinder - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Reflexologist Mary - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I love my Pathfinder. Its been reliable and comfortable. The ride itself is smooth compared to other SUVs. I feel safe and secure in it (compared to my husbands Explorer). Its been two years and it feels like new.

• 

  WOW !!! - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By TOM FOX - May 14 - 10:00 am

  BEST CAR FOR EVEN MORE MONEY THAN ANY OTHER IMPORTS OR DOMESTIC MODELS I TEST THEM ALL FOR A LIVING

• 

  2011 Frontier Crew CAB SL - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By glockamole - May 14 - 7:23 am

  I had a Toyota Tacoma Doublecab TRD Off-Road, which I loved. I reluctantly traded for a car. When I came to realize I couldnt handle not having a truck, I began looking for a Tacoma or Frontier. When it came down to price and creature comforts, the Nissan Frontier was, hands down, the best choice for me. Toyota dealer was barely willing to negotiate with me on the price of a Doublecab 2WD. I ended up with my frontier, which has leather, sunroof, heated seats, nerf bars, bed extender, XM, and roof rack for roughly $4,000 less than the comparable Tacoma I was looking at. Ride and capabilities are every bit as good and it looks great. The only thing I miss is the back up camera in the Tacoma.

• 

  07 2.5s - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By gbrums67 - May 13 - 11:30 am

  The was an excellent choice for my wife. She drives 35 miles to work each way and she was looking for a car that got good gas mileage. We were looking for an inexpensive vehicle (under 20K). Looked @ Accord LX, slow acceleration and cheap looking interior. Camry CE wasnt much better. Nissan CVT is a smooth (excellent trans) and gives a feel of good acceleration. The car is a good combination of handling and comfort. It corners well, yet still has a smooth ride. The list for new was 24k we were able to get a used one with 5k miles for 16k. First fill up with mostly city driving it got 30 mpg. 35 hwy mpg is reachable with the right driving habits.

• 

  a real suv - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Johnson - May 13 - 11:16 am

  This is a real suv. No leather option, no four wheel indepenent suspension, plenty of cleats for anchoring cargo, plenty of horse power and torque with a fun 6 speed tranny and plenty of towing capacity

• 

  A Sport Truck w/o Compromising Utility - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By JLBAUCOM - May 13 - 5:26 am

  My Titan replaces an 05 F150 w/ 5.4L V8. Compared to the Ford, which was a very good truck, the Nissan has a much stronger performing drivetrain and returns fuel economy slightly better than the Ford 5.4 did. To me, the bucket seats up front are very comfortable, though some may find them too firm. The stereo and HVAC controls are laid out well and are easy to use and look very nice, even with the orange backlighting. In the back seat, I really like the wide opening rear doors when loading people or stuff when parked beside another car. The bag hooks under the back seat are also a nice touch. The stock 33" tires give the truck a very beefy look, unlike the competitions smallish tires.