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:

• 

  Nissan Lover! - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Maximus2001 - November 15 - 1:50 am

  Ive owned only Nissans. I had a Nissan Sentra Coupe SE 1991 (first car) excellent used car, Nissan Maxima GXE 1994 used, and currently owned 2001 SE brand new from the dealer. Needless to say I still own this vehicle. Only regular maintenance had to replace struts & springs @ 108k, thus far. Keep in mind, this is the last truly manufactured in Japan vehicle so I cant speak on the newer models. But I can say this, I plan on keeping this vehicle for another 100k hopefully. I considered upgrading to an Infiniti G35, but decided to keep the Maxima since it has been so reliable thus far. Many people buy used and dont realize just how important the previous history is. It can impact you badly.

• 

  Amazing city car - 2014 Nissan Leaf
  By princewampire - November 15 - 1:37 am

  Everything about this car impressed me except for the difference in highway mileage range and the city range. Unlike the gasoline cars, this one gives you very good city range but in freeways it consumes power 1.5 times more than average, so if you wanna take the freeway for a far distance, don`t rely too much on the "Range Estimation" that car gives you.

• 

  54 Year old Guy with a cube - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By grem55 - November 15 - 12:36 am

  I clunked a 1996 Dodge longbed with extended cab for my cube. Best move I ever made. I travel daily in my work and have cut my expense by 66%. It gives me personality and comfort. Little but practical and fun to drive. Discovered the diso light by accident; love em. The wife and I will take it on vacation in 2 months; she loves the panoramic view. Best car Ive owned in 15 years!

• 

  2004 Altima 2.5L SL - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Bugeye - November 15 - 12:16 am

  After 150,000 miles, this car still runs and rides like new. The 2.5 L, 4 sp automatic has plenty of pep and delivers an average of 27 mpg for this daily commuter. The ride is smooth and handling is above average. There is plenty of head and leg room front and back, the seats are comfortable, and the Bose sound system is fantastic. Maintenance has been minimal, replacing the front right wheel bearing at 90,000 (extended warranty work) and the crankshaft position sensor at 102,000 ($120 parts and labor). I replaced the upper motor mount and idler pulley at 135K in 1 hour for less than $100. The road noise is the only thing that I can say bad about this car. This car has given us great service.

• 

  Reliable Car - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Peggy - November 14 - 11:10 pm

  Ive had this Maxima for almost ten years and have replaced the MAF, an O2 sensor, front axle, and three out of six ignition coils. The coils are easy to replace on your own (especially coils 2, 4, and 6) Anything thats ever broken on it didnt leave me stranded on the road! Overall, this is the most reliable car Ive ever owned. Its still quiet as a mouse and rides great. It still gets terrific gas mileage and I run it on 89 octane.

• 

  Not too bad for a puddle jumper - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Carl - November 14 - 8:53 pm

  I am not too crazy over the road feel. It is difficult to keep the car going in a straight line at hwy speeds.i think that has something to do with the electric pwr. steering?

• 

  Pleased but a few minor problems - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Chris - November 14 - 5:16 pm

  My wife needed a new car so after much searching we decided on the Rogue. It is a fine car for her and she really loves it. We have had many people stop us and ask about the car and everybody seems to have some interest in it. I really tested it 2 days later is 9" of wet and heavy snow and it exceded my expectations for sure. We have had our ignition keyswitch lock on us about 4 times and I had to rock the vehicle back and forth and shake the wheel to get it to release, since using the e-brake before parking it seems to take the pressure off of it. A grocery cart even at slow speeds will do damage to the plastic way to easily because of no bumpers. The rearview has a blind spot be careful.

• 

  Great so far - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Newby Nissan - November 14 - 4:00 pm

  I have only had my Frontier for a few weeks but by far it is a great improvement over my 2005 F150. Had tranny problems with that at 15,000 miles. Got tired of fighting it and traded off. This is faster, drives better and gets way better mileage then F150. great value. Toyota was way out of line on price and a dog compared to this Frontier.

• 

  Horrible Gas Mileage - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By CMC - November 14 - 1:53 pm

  The looks and towing on this truck combined with the comparisons to Ford and Toyota is what prompted us to buy this truck. Big Mistake! The gas mileage is 9mpg city and 11mpg hwy. In the first month the airbag light works when it wants to, the radio was completely shot, things under the hood like the fuse box are very difficult to get to and it really feels the weight when towing affecting the ride. Would not recommend for the money.

• 

  "Doesnt get no respect" - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Carloskid - November 13 - 4:33 pm

  This is my second Murano. I love it. I just drove 900 miles form S.C to Long Island, NY and got just about 25 mpg. I always get about 22/23 around home on our flat roads. I can get two fullsize bikes in the back of my Murano with the seats folded. No rack needed. I just use movers blankets for protection.