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:

• 

  Great performance and efficiency - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By Ryan - March 17 - 4:16 am

  The car has taken a heavy beating, yet remains very reliable. Well-maintained, 31 mpg on the highway is possible, and given its performance (dont read this like its a sports car), this is excellent. For my money, I cant find any significant drawback to the driving experience.

• 

  Titan Review - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By strang - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Love the ride, roomy and comfortable. Step on gas and this vehicle really wants to move. Handles like a smaller SUV. Plenty of room for family. Grate towing vehicle.

• 

  Great Power, Weak MPG - 2009 Nissan Titan
  By Bill - March 16 - 9:53 am

  I purchased this titan used with 15,000 miles. Very good value and a tough looking truck. Very comfortable and drives well. I am experimenting with gas mileage. I tried e85 flex fuel and just finished that tank getting 11 mpg city. I have gone back to gasoline hoping for better results. I also have ordered a bed cover hoping that will add some mpg. Overall very happy with the truck, its comfort and power.

• 

  Love my 04 Maxima - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Glenda Porter - March 15 - 7:20 pm

  This car is fun to drive with a lot of power and it has all kinds of features, like the garage opener and the home link it comes with the vehicle so you can get rid of the opener, this feature is located on the rear view mirrorf and in the event that u return back to your house and u forgt to tun the lights dont worry home link can turn the lights on for u , I just love it

• 

  2008 SE Armada - 2008 Nissan Armada
  By Dennis - March 15 - 8:10 am

  Just bought the 2008 SE Armada last week and love every driving minute. Interior is big and roomy, with lots of quality features. Exterior is bold and brawny, turning many heads with each passer by. Wife loves the security of transporting kids in such a safe vehicle. Previous to this purchase, we owned 2005 Pathfinder and never had a single issue.

• 

  Well thought out design! - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By DJ HaVoC - March 14 - 6:46 pm

  After reading MANY reviews about all types of full size crew cab trucks, I finally purchased this one. Very glad I did. Excellent quality, well thought out designs throughout the entire vehicle. Very powerful, responsive, and nice easy ride. Its size does not overwhelm a new driver as I thought it would. Virtually no blind spots with the split mirrors with the tow package.

• 

  I Love My Coupe!!!! - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By stevesbabe - March 14 - 3:16 pm

  I first saw this car in a magazine and I told my husband that I had to have this car. That was at the end of May. By the 2nd week of July, I had purchased my new Altima coupe. I am so happy that I bought my coupe. It was the best decision. This is my first Nissan, and I will buy another and another. I love my car and I would not trade it for anything. People stop and ask me, "Is that a Nissan?" I of course say yes it is and it is mine. I have to see another coupe around here and I am glad that I was one of the first to buy it. Thanks Nissan for one awesome coupe.

• 

  Great Truck! - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Maguro - March 14 - 2:10 pm

  This is a great truck. I traded in a Chevy Trailblazer. I dont do much off-roading, but I like have a truck for the versatility, occasional towing, and Im a truck guy not a car guy. The get-up-and-go is great, gas mileage is good. The previous owner had upgraded to a touchscreen Pioneer Navi/Stereo/Bluetooth & a Viper alarm w/ remote start. So the toys are fun and functional. Never wanted a navi before, but now Ill have one in every car I own! The armrest stinks :( too low and too small. Otherwise, extremely happy, great truck.

• 

  Great all-arounder - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By bigtex144 - March 14 - 9:36 am

  I bought my 97 Maxima SE 5-speed about 2 years ago and am in love with it. The fact that its my 4th car in under 2 years says a lot! I bought it with 307K miles on it (a testament to how unbelievably solid the car was and still is to this day). Im now over 343K miles and have had to replace little; The 02 sensors, the struts (which were original), and slave/master cylinders. I get 30-33 mpg almost every tank, and thats even with mixed city/hwy. Power is still great after all these miles when I need it too! Did not come with the Bose stereo; stock CD player and volume knob didnt work and all 4 speakers were rotted out, so I replaced those and it sounds great now

• 

  Love my Maxima - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Stuart Alperin - March 14 - 3:46 am

  I have been purchasing a new car every three years with most being "upscale" sedans. My most recent car was a Volvo S-80 T-6 and this Maxima surpasses it in every category and costs $10,000 less. The normally aspirated Maxima is just as fast as the Volvo turbo. The looks are great and it has provided trouble free performance. Most of all, I love driving it. The only negative I can think of is that the turning ratio is is a bit too wide.