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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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By smudge - April 2 - 5:40 pm

  I have to say that we looked long and hard at the pathfinder and the 4runner. We liked both, but the 4runner didnt have the features unless you wanted to get the luxury model. It didnt even have power or leather available unless you were willing to spend the money on the luxury model. We have the SE off-road and we love it. It handles very well.

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  GARBAGE - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JOHNHMFIC - April 2 - 10:00 am

  PIECE OF JUNK DOESN,T BEGIN TO CAMPARE TO TOYOTA DO NOT BUY THE 39 MONTH LEASE BECAUSE AS THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT THE JUNK FALLS APART.

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  No better car for the price - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By Kyl - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I have had one for 3 years and there is no better car i could have bought.

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  great car - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By ludacris - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Great car, acceleration from a stop is more than adequate, from a roll is excellent. The engines refinement is amazing, you cant hear or feel the engine at idle at all. Even when flooring it there is no vibration. I now have an intake on it so I can definetly hear a growl! Spacious, comfortable, powerful, refined, reliable, fun to drive, good looking. What else is there to like?

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  Great Car - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By toniomdny - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Top 10 engine for so many years in a row is enough to say. With the engine size that the car has, it has more power than cars with bigger engine. The car has great power and accelerates so fast.

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  Love it and Aint sellin - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By MaxDriver - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I got my 95 GXE in 98. It had Bose, Sunroof and power seat. The minute I set eyes on this black doll, I had to have it..... Had to replace the suspension after six mos. but that was because I took on a broken road at 100 mph, so my bad. Since then, I have had nothing but driving joy in it, mile after mile. I have 106000 miles on it and it still runs like new. The only work Ive ever had to do to it was oil, tires and brakes. It STILL looks better than a 2002 Camry and Accord! Now I am getting into an Audi A-6 but I am NOT selling the Max!! It stays with me b/c its too good to part with!! Way to go Nissan.

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  2nd MAXIMA...LAST MAXIMA - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By 2ndMAX..LastMAX - April 2 - 10:00 am

  This car has been problems from the time it was about 3 months old until now. I have had the car in the shop 7 times now in 9 months. Bose radio was replaced, hood shakes when going highway speeds, electrical problems, and it has also died on me 4 times in the last 2 weeks. Dealership cant fix several of the problems.

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  A real SUV on todays market - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By Jaimemoto - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I felt in love with this SUV when I first saw it. The style is just so cool. There are no many SUV on todays market. First of all, let me say this, to me there is no such thing as a luxury SUV. A SUV is a SUV. A Sport Utility Vehile to handle the tasks that you want to do. . That is why I like the Xterra. No leather seat and those luxurious nonsense. A true SUV!

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  Great Buy - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Mas7UB - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a Pewter color 2.5S and i really like it. The exterior looks very sleak and classy. I got mine with the auto dimming rear-view mirror with temp and compass, incabin microfilter,splash guards, and floor matts. I got it for about 18,400. So far I really like the car. Compared to the Accord, Camry, and Stratus, I think the Nissan Altima was a good choice for me.

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  Awesome car for the money - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Dmitriy - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car a month ago and cant stop enjoying driving it. Considered the accord and camry but altima offers way more for the money (paid 18200). The 4 cilinder offers very lively performance - cruises effortlessly at 85 mph. The design is outstanding. Nissan reliability is awesome(had a 96 altima for 6 years - not a single problem with 95000 miles on the odometer). Yes some plastic detailes have not yet been perfected in the interior but that is expected in the first year with a completely redesigned car. Altima just cant be beat at the price. Test drive one and you will see the difference. Way to go nissan.