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:

• 

  I love my Juke - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By Casey - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this car from the day that I saw it on the Nissan website. The interior of the car is unlike any I have ever seen before. I LOVE being able to switch from climate mode to drive mode with the touch of a button. The car has very little blind spots. I love the look of a two door car when really it has 4 doors. This car is so different that I actually had a cop on a motorcycle pull up beside me just to ask me how I was enjoying the car. I have had this car for just over a month now and I have no complaints. It has a good speaker system as well if you like jam sessions. So far this car is great, not looking forward to future recalls though... Hope this review helps!

• 

  First time nissan owner - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By JOHN B - January 10 - 11:06 am

  This vehicle is roomy and is very functional i really feel that it has good build quality.

• 

  So far soooo goooood - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Tony G - January 10 - 8:26 am

  So far, so good! Smooth ride, excellent acceleration, lots of body roll when turning, but what do u expect, its a BIG SUV. Brakes a little slow. Very Happy with this truck!

• 

  18 mpg highway, not in my truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By mike - January 10 - 7:56 am

  I wish nissan would have been up front about mpg, this truck is killing me in fuel. However this truck has more power then i will ever need. its been to the shop for few defects already, something I did not expect from a nissan product. I am also on my third set of tires after only 32,000 miles. I am thinking about trading it in for a toyota.

• 

  Rural Colorado - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By rural Colorado - January 10 - 4:13 am

  Test drove the CVT, my 6 speed is much more responsive and quiet. Fuel economy is great at 32 city-35 hwy. Drove a lot in Denver recently- consistent 32 mpg. Very happy with the options chosen with the S (cruise, power package), and equally happy with the price. Test drove Corolla and Civic. The Versa and the options I wanted would have cost me much more in the other (more well known) models. Insurance is also cheaper! The Versa is much more comfortable and fun to drive. Wish there was an arm rest... small price to pay. A lot of space in such a small sedan. Handles well on ice and snow. Great car!

• 

  great vechicle - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By ricardo - January 10 - 3:50 am

  one of the best vehicles ive ever purchased, great ride, handling and comfort for (7) adults Large amount of interior storage, with easy access and ease of folding seats which dont have to be removed

• 

  Not a terrible car - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By herb45 - January 9 - 7:06 pm

  I already have a new car, but started a new job and drive 43 miles one way. So I bought a 2004 Sentra with 55,800 miles on it to keep the miles off the new one and thought it would be a great car. Well, the mileage is great, 25 mpg city/37 mpg hwy. Great for an automatic. I have had to have quite a few things replaced, as it was a repo. I only paid 5400 for the car, but have had to replace gas tank seal, alternator belt/pulley, crankshaft & camshaft sensors, and had to order dye for the carpet & upholstery (special order), as I am trying to make the car look as nice as possible. I just hope I wont have to replace anything for a while. I did manage to drive about 2000 miles before the sensors were replaced.

• 

  My Favorite So Far - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By Rod - January 9 - 2:13 pm

  You cant go wrong with this car. Great car for your money.

• 

  Excellent Value - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Bob Browne - January 9 - 9:13 am

  The Versa S sedan, manual trans, with the Power Package is more than enough car for our family of young drivers. The car shifts smoothly, rides nice for a small car, and has much more interior leg room in the back seat than many mid size cars. The trunk space is surprisingly large too. The dash has a nice look. I believe this vehicle will gain a lot of sales momentum as it priced so competitively and has so much to offer.

• 

  Not a real maxima - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By SC - January 9 - 7:33 am

  I traded my 03 Maxima SE in on the new 07 Maxima SE thinking that it was going to be a major improvement over my 03. Nissan did a wonder job in the styling of the car. About 2 months after I had the car I noticed a shake in the steering wheel. I have taken it back to the dealership 4 times and they still have not fixed the problem. Also the quality is not as good there is a lot of road noise, interior finish poor. I dont understand what Nissan is doing with the Maxima. I was a loyal Nissan person but they really have to step it up on the 2010 model to keep me with Nissan. My 03 would blow this new one away.