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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  wife needed awd now has a 2015 rogue sv premium - 2015 Nissan Rogue
  By james a mcmahon - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Wife loves her new rogue great in snow, looks good ,cvt very smooth , roomy and nice in inside

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  Murano SL - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By George Balog - February 11 - 7:53 pm

  The car is very attractive in exterior appearance and the interior is roomy and also very attractive. I was suprised that it has a similar feel to a much more expensive vehicle with a feeling of superior performance and quality. I believe that the quality and styling for the price are the best on the market for any vehicle category.

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  happy to shutt my sister - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Ramirez - February 11 - 6:43 pm

  got my nissan 3 years a go same time my sis.(lincoln) happy with the little car no major repairs amaze how much after market parts to upgrade the car are available my sis was =( after lots repair on the first year of her luxury car,even for a 4 cylinder car is enough for city and travel (arkansas to florida) not much tech. for the year but my phone does everything this days well done paying the car thinking trading for a xterra so review please the quality before you buying just bcse is v8 and has airshocks doesnt meant is better .. thanks

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  Great small car - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By me - February 11 - 6:40 pm

  Got this car to replace my 2001 Nissan Pathfinder. Wanted something more fuel efficient and smaller. I really love this little car. It is fun to drive and I really appreciate better gas mileage. Love the Bluetooth! Nissan packs a lot into a small package with this one.

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  Excellent - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Louis - February 11 - 8:03 am

  Great family, work, and weekend truck. Nice smooth ride like a luxury car and power like a sports car.

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  Worst Car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Otis Lee Singleton - February 11 - 6:40 am

  The only good experience with this car is when I first bought It. The Keys Deactivated with no one at Nissan able to tell me why but charged to reset them. The exhaust manifold cracked and had to be replaced which they did but not before engine developed a valve noise that they would not help. The driverside window motor went out. The sunroof opens and closes on its own. The interior is cheaply built, the visors and cup holders have broken or screws are falling out. Exhaust donut gasket went out. With all these problems along with a couple factory recalls led me to never to want another Nissan because even contacting Corporate they would not help.

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  It has 200,000km and lady-driven (which also means lady-maintained...lol). - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By avroarrow - February 10 - 3:22 am

  Bought this car from a family member for $1000 so the price was right but it did need a lot of TLC. Things that Ive replaced so far: CAT at manifold, knock sensor, MAF sensor, 02 sensor, rad, complete rear brakes. Other problems: Leaking A/C system (hopefully Ive fixed that) wiring defect in the spoiler light (Ill fix that soon). The oil filter is impossible to change without putting the car on a hoist, over a pit or on jack stands/ramps. The PCV valve is hidden under the intake manifold and will require hours to change. The shifter light also needs replacing. If I wasnt a DIYer, Id be broke, but I am a DIYer and now that Ive done these repairs, it will go another 200,000km for sure.

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  Great car but the RPMs run high - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By TIna Kline - February 10 - 2:26 am

  I just purchased a 2008 Versa hatchback, so far love it! Averaging 33 mpg, not bad condsidering I drive 50 miles to work, and hit 32 lights along the way. Im a little concerned about the RPMs running high, in 6 sp, 62 mph Im running at 3000 RPMs. Other than that great car!!

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  2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Saergae - February 9 - 8:13 pm

  I bought my New Nissan Sentra with saving money in mind. I traded a Dodge Ram V8 for this and am totally sagisfied. Not Apples to Apples but then again I was looking for fuel economy with some features I could compare to my fully loaded truck. I would say that the value for the money is well worth it. I get 33 MPG average since I bought it 2 weeks ago. Ive saved $154 in 2 weeks driving this over my truck. Lets face it this car is no BMW but Nissan is not advertising it to be so I think anyone looking for economy would do well to look at this car. I commute 100 miles a day so this for me was a good decision. GOOD JOB NISSAN.

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  What a blast !!! - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Randy - February 9 - 3:43 pm

  What a blast to drivel. The only things that I would change would be the front-wheel drive (too much torque steer) and a more powerful sub for the somewhat weak BOSE system. Ive had no mechanical problems - only routine servicing and a flat. But, my front drivers seat is splitting in a few places. The cars got a big backside, so high speed road handling is not a stable as Id like. But, it IS a sedan. And, a big one at that. U-turns arent always made either. But, I got the 20th Anniversary edition, and I love the subtle fascia and body kit extras that come with it. I just wish there was more of a difference between it and the normal SE edition.