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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  Finally a True Sports Car - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By Hawkinson Nissan - September 27 - 12:26 pm

  I have driven some of the more popular sports cars (RX-8, S2000, Eclipse, Supra, etc) but none have the passion that the new Z has. Awesome acceleration, and all to the tune of that harmonious exhaust note. The only other rival I considered buying of course is the BMW M3. However, i couldnt justify the price difference as compared with the differenece in HP (30)

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  Ole Reliable - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By Allie - September 27 - 10:00 am

  The car has been very reliable and fun to drive. It is very precise in turning and braking. There is a couple of things that I would change. When you are some course pavement, the sunglass holder vibrates as well as the hubcaps making noise going over bumps. It also seems to have a fair amount of road noise. The car is a bargain at the price and I would buy another one.

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  No Contest - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By 02Maxima - September 27 - 10:00 am

  After three months of driving, the 2002 Nissan Maxima SE is definitely the premier, under $30k, non-luxo sedan. The navigation system is easy to use, the seats are supportive yet comfortable, and the power alone could sell the car. Push it hard, push it soft, no matter how this Maxima is driven it accelerates effortlessly, the automatic shifts smoothly, and with all this driving mileage stays at a good rating (currently averaging 24 mpg, the EPA rating seems to be under cutting the Maxima).

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  Great Machine - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By I LOVE THIS CAR - September 27 - 10:00 am

  The new pathfinder (2001 and later) is the best midsize SUV outside of the luxury class. There is nothing to match the performance of this V6, build quality, style, and pure presence on the road. History has proven the Pathfinders reliability, build quality, and high resale value compared to American products...and for less than a comparable Explorer. It sounds very much like Jamey has never even driven (much less owned) one of these fine gems. (By the way the sound system is Bose)

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  The maxima is the right choice - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By pnuemonia - September 27 - 10:00 am

  Great car fun to drive very fast and sporty but also very luxouious

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  Chose Altima over Maxima - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By 03RxAlty - September 27 - 10:00 am

  Altima: 5 speed; 245 hp; new styling; independent rear suspension; bigger; less expensive; moderate fit/finish interior Maxima: 6 speed; 255 hp; dated styling (makeover pending); beam rear susp.; smaller; more expensive; better fit/finish interior I thought that I got more for my money with the Altima since the performance was equivalent, and there were more pluses with the Altima. BTW, my other car is a 97 Maxima.

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  Pleased as punch - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By steve107 - September 27 - 10:00 am

  I spent the last 3 years in a 1998 Mitsubishi Galant LS. It was a four cyl. and couldnt get out of its own way. I vowed to myself that I would go with a 6 cyl. the next time around no matter what. Once I did my research and priced the car with everything I wanted in it, it dawned on me, I couldnt afford this V- 6 with the options. So I said I would go with a basic V-6 with no added options. Then I went to the dealership and test drove the 4 Cyl. S. This car has amazing power for a 4 cyl engine. At 175 hp, it has about 45 more than my Galant did, and it seems like 145 more.

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  Great Vehicle - 2010 Nissan Xterra
  By ShadowFox - September 27 - 9:03 am

  This vehicle is amazing. Since I purchased the Off Road version, I figured I was going to compromise ride quality and overall comfort. Nothing could be further from the truth. The ride quality is surprisingly comfortable, the seats sit well, and the Rockford Fosgate system kicks. The utility features of the vehicle are some of the best in the market. Ive even done a little of my own testing off road. This thing is amazing in the dirt and rocks. The 4LO and locking rear differential are easy to use and get you out of just about anything. Engine performance is impressive for an SUV. The V6 is plenty powerful, quiet and buttery smooth. I cant say enough good things about this vehicle.

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  Titan is impressive - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By donben - September 27 - 4:53 am

  Have had the Titan for just over 1 year and am very impressed, no maintenance issues, truck just does what it should. Very comfortable seats good visibility, good dash layout, great engine and transmission combination, although "throaty" exhaust can be a bit tiring sometimes. I tow a boat trailer and a 16 utility trailer and hardly know they are behind except for slower acceleration. Fuel consumption is not great but with the power and the 5400# weight about comparable with others in the class. Some nice little features like the tie downs in the truck bed, the storage pocket behind the left rear wheel, and the rear seat arrangement. I traded off a 04 F-150 and much prefer the Titan

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  Sporty & Responsive - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By kegradtech - September 27 - 1:50 am

  This is the 3rd Nissan Altima Ive owned. Ive also had a 2001 GXE Limited Edition (the last year of the old body & engine style) and a 1999 SE Limited Edition. I love the throaty engine noise under heavy acceleration, balanced with a very quiet response under normal driving conditions. The body styling is second to none in its class and I feel you have to upgrade to luxury vehicles to get better body styling than the Altima. My only complaints about it are the front brakes which seem to warp too easily (the same happened in my 2001, but no problems with this in my 1999 model.) I have had to upgrade to slotted rotors to keep this from recurring and I dont even heavily brake the vehicle.