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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  The Best I ever had - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By Shawn OMac - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive always admired the Maxima being a car that have some looks to it and come with a stick(Camry, Accord). Someone once told me that it is better to getting a stick in a I4 and automatic in a V6. They are wrong. This car has a lotta bang for buck. It is fun to drive and it takes corners like a dream. This car one of the best FWD V6s for the money!!

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  Good, but one major mechanical issue - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Denton, TX - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Good overall, but Ive been recently slapped with a big service bill, my left rear axel seal leaks oil on the brake shoes ($275) and the manifold leaks radiator fluid on the timing belt ($925). Disapointing for a newer car. The use of plastic on the interior moving parts is also a poor place to cut corners on manufacturing costs.

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  2002 Maxima vs. 2002 Altima - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Vincent Lursen Jr - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Owned a 2002 Nissan Altima, there not as close as critics say they are !

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  Love my X! - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By calypso - February 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a great truck. The S/C is a blast to drive. I feel like I could drive over anything, and this truck is very reliable and safe. Very roomy, and a slick looking truck. I love it!

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  ex-terra-ah!!!!!! - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By ex-terr-ah!! - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Excellent styling, handeling, and upper body roomieness. Sub-optimal (at best!) drivers side leg room. Brake, gas pedals and the center consel are crowded for feet and lower leg movement during driving. 170 hp V-6 is somewhat under powered for acceleration, but cruises effortlessly. Gas milage rivals a Sherman Tank! Good sound system. Archaic power knobs for mirrors / windows.

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  Great Ride - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Jesse - February 16 - 10:20 pm

  Ive always been a person that always bought American vehicles, so this is my first Nissan. My family needed another vehicle because we have a child and needed better gas milage than my 06 Dodge Ram. This car is great!!! Handles great, ample space throughout, SL & Technology Package gave us everything we needed. This car gets about 19 mpg in the city and about 28 on the highway so we are saving soo much money on gas. I think Nissan has a winner with the Altima, Id definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for more bang for the buck.

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  Push Start/Stop - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Chasler - February 16 - 3:13 am

  I drive a lot of freeway miles. This car is got the perfect balance of power, acceleration, comfort and fuel economy. CVT transmission works like a dream. Get 29.4 average mpg: 80% freeway cruising at 72mph; 20% varied driving about town. Negatives: 1) Tail pipe smells in the cabin initially. Whatever it was seemed to burn itself out after the first 8,000 miles. 2) Push Start/Stop button works great except...frustrated with the stop button instantly killing the sound system along with engine. Sound like a minor quibble but when I get to my destination sometimes I want to hear the rest of the song or talk radio topic without having to continue running the engine.

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  Nissan Sentra - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By Sergio - February 15 - 11:40 am

  I have own this car since 2004. I bought from a dealership at 44,000 miles. I only had to do Oil Changes until 80,300 miles when the catalytic converter went bad. but, lucky enough was cover under warranty. (but, the dealership made me pay for half $400). Aside from regular up keep i havent had to do much till recently. Now, I am at 127,000 and the radiator was cracked after that was fixed I started having issues with the Idling of the vehicle. which I am trying to get resolved now. Nissan is aware of this issue. when the vehicle is on Park it will go to 2-3,000 RPM. Oh yeah. I also had issues with the pedal sticking. but, I got it resolved. (read below how)

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  Great truck - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By DVW - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Great truck, very good purchase.

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  Great styling, smooth ride - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Tadow92 - February 15 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I first looked at the Muranos for their style, but were sold on the ride and comfort. We looked at the Highlander & Endeavour but were impressed with the Muranos "smoothness". I doesnt "feel" like Im driving an SUV. We would def. recommend a Murano to someone looking to buy an SUV that doesnt drive or ride like one.