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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  comsumer - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By ROY - January 9 - 3:56 am

  do a combination of city and highway driving, so far no problems, blue tooth feature is great. this is my 3rd maxima.

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  Great Fill Size Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By John B. - January 9 - 3:16 am

  Truck is a blast to drive. Very fast, very smooth. I has planned to buy a Ford F-150, but the Titan was just better in so many ways, except price but thats just your basic "get what you pay for". Gets compliments all the time from people in parking lots as I am getting in or out.

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  nice car! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By chooch - January 9 - 2:13 am

  I have only owned my versa for 5 days and i love it! its so smooth, i know a speeding ticket is in my future! its so comfy. Not a bad car for $15,000.

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  Replacement Killa - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By maximus331 - January 8 - 6:26 am

  In the past I have owned two Nissan Maximas. I was quite dissapointed in the previous models. The power of the Maxima reminds me of the 300m which I traded in for the Maxima. Quite pleased with handling style and performance

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  2003 Nissan Sentra GXE - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By jim dimacher - January 7 - 3:56 pm

  Bought an 03 Sentra for my daughters graduation and would never consider buying a Nissan product again. Head gasket went after 70k and warranty had just run out. Nissan wouldnt listen to our complaints and told us we were on our own. It was extremely tough to get through to any customer service people and when I did they never followed up with us. They dont back up their product and their customer service is terrible. At one point the car just stopped in the middle of an intersection and after a few hundred dollars of diagnostics it was a $3 ignition fuse that was the problem. The dealership I purchased it from was great and the service mgr was very helpful but Nissan is out forever.

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  Its a truck! - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By Susan - January 7 - 3:00 pm

  I just picked up my Xterra last night, so Ive only driven it 50 miles, mostly city. I havent loved a vehicle this much since my 1995 Ford Bronco. The Xterra is definetly not a luxury vehicle, and although my last SUV (Toyota Sequoia Limited)was, I find I dont miss the plush interior and "bells and Whistles." What the Xterra lacks in interior luxury it makes up for in other ways. The Rockford Fosgate-powered stereo system is awesome, you can feel the base in your seat! The new engine in the Xterra is so powerful you really have to watch yourself. Ultimately the Xterra rides like a truck not a car, to me thats a good thing. Its a great truck!

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  For the price, you really cant beat it. - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By julrhody - January 7 - 2:34 pm

  My last few cars have been Hondas but I am partial to staying within the Honda, Toyota, Nissan circuit. With that said, when it came time to look for a compact SUV or Crossover I pretty much had 3 options, the Honda CRV, the Toyota RAV4 or the Nissan Rogue. Hands down the Rogue won after checking them all out. The CRV interior is kind of stark and cold and the seats are incredibly UNcomfortable...and I have a lot to compare them to since I was trading in my 2010 Accord EX-L. The Toyota frankly, was boring! Dollar for dollar the Nissan offered more bang for the buck when it came to comparing all top end packages for all 3. Im very happy with my decision and the COMFY seats of the Rogue.

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  New Titan Owner - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By kingkooldaddy - January 7 - 11:46 am

  I love the power and handling of my 2006 Titan. I have never had a stock truck with so much horsepower. It has many excellent features and room for all three of my kids to stretch out in the back seat. Pay close attention, though, I have only 1600 miles on it and the rear end is being replaced this week. I have read many posts of owners with similar problems.

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  A car youll be very happy with! - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By John, Columbia MO - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car a year and a half ago with 22,000 miles on it. I have since put 15,000 miles on it and it has been fantastic. The car is solid, runs hard, especially when you take it above 3000 RPM and handles very well. Ive had to replace brakes and tires too which seems to be common. Other than those items the car has been very reliable. For the money, style and performance I agree with most others, this is a better car than a Camry or Accord.

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  Insert review title here - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By jwb0507 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Nissan Frontier SE 4WD now for 7 months and I have almost no complaints. It performed well for me in the summer heat of NC and now is doing great in the winter snow of NH. I never worried about getting to work. In 4WD it is a bit difficult to make sharp turns (i.e. parking lot) but I guess its standard with a 4WD. Its a bit difficult to get in and out of the truck. The step rail is more for decoration. I was thinking of getting a car but I like the versatility of a truck with 4 doors. I guess its the truck for the undecided.