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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  JBS3 - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By JBS - April 24 - 11:16 am

  I tried a Toyota and the Frontier felt more what I look for in a truck. It handles very well. The breaking system with 4 wheel disks are excellent with no pull or noise. The design of the cargo bed is outstanding. The bed is coated and the extended bed with the cargo tie down system gives you fexability. The power is most impressive. I have to drive in Philadelphia and they are the most selfish and inconsiderate drivers. Because of the power I am less likely to be cut off when pulling onto a highway, something that happened to me all the time. My past Frontier had 169,000 miles on it, original clutch. I hope this one gives me the same reliability.

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  Trying to upgrade! - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By John Meyer - April 24 - 8:38 am

  Glove box latch hard to reach (centered) old Maxima had latch on upper left of door much easier to reach. passenger seat is to low. redundant control on console should have been used for storage, who needs three controls that do the same thing? car does not corner as well as my 2009 Maxima, tends to drift.

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  WOW, what a truck!! - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By twistedmike - April 23 - 5:13 pm

  I found the truck used on autotrader for $22,000 and i had to have it. i traded in my 2000 dodge ram in to get it, and havent looked back yet. I would suggest it to anyone who is wanting a larger SUV without the fuel economy of an 8 cyl gas guzzler. It has plenty of power (265 hp) and plenty of ground clearance. I get alot of looks driving my jet black xterra with my xm blairing "the squiz" going down the road. Fantastic truck. Highly recomended!

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  Love my Car!! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Toya - April 23 - 3:20 pm

  The Nissan Altima is a WONDERFUL car to drive and own. After having a Mazda Milliana which was a HORRIBLE car, the Altima is a charm!!!! Best car I have ever owned

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  Great purchase - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Dan - April 23 - 8:13 am

  I originally purchased this car for my wife, she really liked the looks. I own a 2007 Dodge quad cab pick-up w/hemi, you can imagine the gas mileage. I figured the altima hybrid would complement the truck. Ends up I use the altima for everything, except towing and payload. I would never have believed it if you said I would love this machine. I do, it is great looking, good on gas, 2 years with no problems, and the 200 horses do make a difference. It would be much easier for me to write what I don’t like about the vehicle.

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  Not Bad . . but Pricey - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By tjf - April 23 - 4:46 am

  18 Month Update - Pros: - Nice sporty & aggressive profile - OK gas mileage on open road (mid 30s)- Clean looks inside - Very roomy front & back. - Cons: (TTT)Terribly tiny trunk - when cold lousy gas mileage(in mid- No folding back seat - high 20s)not acceptable for the price. - Tech package nice but Nav just OK - not intuitive -backup cam great when back windshield fogged up. - Sometimes start button doesnt start the system/engine ? ? ? even when clearly depressing the brake pedal requirement) - Black trim beneath front bumper got torn off by an average parking cement block. - Cant seem to upload my cell phonebook - No success programming garage door opener on mirror. - No ala carte.

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  Dream SUV - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jatinder - April 23 - 1:40 am

  This new pathfinder is what i was looking for in an suv, power, good handling, and better design, its super! Favorite Features: Its standard third row seat, independent rear suspension for a smoother ride, front dual AC, and rear AC, the navigation system with voice guiadance and its audio system are some of the things i love about this SUV.

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  Good overall vehicle - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By exrec - April 22 - 4:03 am

  This was my second Pathfinder purchase. I owned an 05 brand new SE and turned it in off lease then went to my wifes honda until it was off lease. I bought the LE due to the navigation and rear DVD system for my kids. Overall the vehicle is good, and solid. The gas mileage is horrible and the navigation is harder to work then a nintendo wii. I have yet to find a direction on it.

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  Awesome - 2012 Nissan Juke
  By mixie1 - April 21 - 5:10 pm

  I dont know why all the negative comments about MPG. If you put a lot of miles on a vehicle, use ECO. This car is zippy enough without having the turbo on all the time. I am getting 28 mpg combined highway and city. Cant complain about that. I love everything about this car.

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  Totalled yet still drives perfect - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Maxima rules - April 21 - 11:26 am

  I bought this car from my dad 3 yrs ago and it only had about 70k miles. About a year later I was involved in a front end accident (not my fault) and the car was deemed totaled by the insurance company. They gave me a check for more than I bought the car, I turned around and bought the car back from the insurance company for $700, drove it off the lot and to this day I have not fixed it. All I do is oil change it every 4 mos or so, change tires and brakes, and drive drive drive. Its at over 115k miles now and still drives amazing!! Maximas are a beast!