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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  Real world report - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Titanster - January 4 - 6:23 pm

  Having owned this truck for about a year I can say it is overall great. My real world gas mileage is 16.9mpg. and that is no typo. I drive the speed limit and dont stick my foot in it - love that exhaust note. A pickup truck is built primarily as a cargo hauler and I couldnt be happier with this function. Interior comfort is also first class - better seats than my wifes Lexus.

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  What a nightmare! Nissan Reliability? No - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By InStPaul - January 4 - 12:20 pm

  By reviews,either your Nissan has been perfect or a nightmare- like mine. I am a bit confused as mine reads like the story of all the others with the same repairs. So far-Evap canister rusted out.Fuel Sending unit failed Someone on here replaced FOUR of them and Nissan will not acknowledge it as a problem(check out NHSTA on this one though how this is not a huge safety issue is beyond me)Two U-joints replaced to no aval to cure vibration that happens when I decelerate at high speeds. Dealer can not figure it out. Coming home today after the ABS unit failed.Brakes have squeaked at different times since day one. Dealer said..."dusty" or "just Nissan" Nissan Corporate does not act/return calls

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  ? - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By pathon24 - January 4 - 12:36 am

  I have a 2005 pathfinder and everything squeaks no major motor problems at 60 k I have 24 inch rims and tires on back rear out of line will eat up tires and the truck makes a million noises and eats gas but very reliable....

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  Best of both worlds - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By mike - January 3 - 10:40 pm

  I had no plans to buy this car. I was looking to replace my 1996 300zx tt, which I sold a few years ago. My wife was complaining about having 3 cars to deal with in the driveway. My daily driver is a 2003 altima. I pulled up next to one and it really caught my eye. The next day I went to the dealership and took a test drive. I knew I would be taking it home. Although, not a 300zx tt, it is sporty quick, fits the 5y/o in the back seat and is only one car in the driveway. Drive it and youll buy it!

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  Love This Truck - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By buffy72396 - January 3 - 6:46 pm

  We replace a car for this truck, and so far just love it, we have 5000 miles on it. Looked at the Tacoma but this was a lot more truck for the money. We have the SE pkg and 4 wheel drive. Gives you a very nice ride. Gas mileage was a little low till we put on the Bakflip cover and that improved mileage 25% to 30%. Well worth the money for the cover. Will pay for itself.

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  Rav4 or Ford Escape are better options than Rogue - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By BalaChander Nalamothu - January 3 - 4:27 pm

  Interior Color is Bright Red, which is bad. Door buttons dont have any light to look up in Dark/nights. Gear nob is not comfortable. 1 USB is not sufficient. Makes Lot of noise while accelerating and driving, even cant hear audio/music inside while accelerating. Poor Materials inside.

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  Race Car - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By JWC - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I traded in a 1999 Corvette and the difference is amazing. You dont get the neck snapping acceleration of the vette, but this car is much more fun to drive. Very sporty, fun to drive. I autocross- I have raced it 3 times in 2004 so far and it has been great! I would buy again.

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  Read here for performace upgrade - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By bgbg - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Bought new. AT leaked back of tranny, dealer fixed on third try, tech from Japan looked at it. Front sway bar endlinks nuts,washer breaks. Replaced with plyurethane bushing with hardware included from Baxter Auto. Shocks: Monroe reflex all 4. Mileage now 58k. No major problem, I do my own oil chg and maintenace.

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  Armarda - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By armada1 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Love the Armada, powerful and fun to drive. Fuel mileage has been excellent for this type of vehicle. Ride is very comfortable and the Armada has exceeded all expectations.

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  2004 Nissan Sentra 1.8s - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Fuzzy1 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased. Enjoy the peppy engine. There is more engine noise than I would expect for a new car, even a small car. The ride is a bit more stiff than I had anticpated. On the highway it sails along effortlessly (except for the engine noise) Has pretty good low end torque, for fast starts. All in all it is a good value for the money