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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  Cool & Gorgeous! - 2016 Nissan Maxima
  By Deborah - November 9 - 2:21 pm

  If you want a 4 door sedan thats cool, yet chic, yet practical, yet sporty & fun to drive ... you should test drive the 2016 Maxima! If you dont necessarily want a convertible, the SL has the double panoramic sunroof! It really is the 4 door sports car they say it is! Love it! I did have to learn to duck my head a little to get in (Im tall & wear heels!), and it does not get the great gas mileage as my Altima but its not a deal breaker because its still good. (Believe me, I dont buy gas guzzlers no matter how much I like the car!) Try it out!

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  Dont buy! - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By regina2662 - November 9 - 5:30 am

  My husband and I bought a 2013 Pathfinder 3 weeks ago and our vehicle has been in the shop twice! First time Feb. 6th due to our vehicle jerking back and forth while we were driving with our kids in the vehicle. At first Nissan said they couldnt figure out whats wrong then they said it was a sensor and it was fixed. My kids and I have been sick so we didnt drive the car again until Feb. 10th in which the vehicle again was jerking back and forth and now making a very loud knocking sound. Took the vehicle again to Nissan today (Feb. 11th) and it has been there since 9:30 a.m. just to be told "we dont see anything wrong with it" 6 hours later ..... Never again will I buy NISSAN!

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  EZ - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By G in hawaii - November 9 - 12:10 am

  Great looking, fun and fast! Only have 100 miles on it so far. No regrets on this baby.

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  RIPPED OFF BY NISSAN - 2016 Nissan Juke
  By PHIL MCRACKIN - November 8 - 10:30 pm

  Dont buy it has the same problem Toyota had with the

  accelorator getting stuck so if you want to die buy

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  The Nissan Z - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By Bill - November 8 - 10:23 pm

  This 2006 is my third 350Z.....I have always purchased new cars and the 350z is by far the best ever. It looks great, it is very quick and very maneuverable, gas mileage is reasonable 25 highway 17 city. The car is not good in snow, rear wheel drive, light weight and very powerful engine team up against good traction when roads are very slippery but you can learn to live with this one drawback and take a bus or cab when roads are treacherous. All around this is the best car I have ever owned. It beats any Other Brand car I ever owned. It is a two seater so dont expect too much living room but the rear space is adequate for most. I love this car absolutely no question about it.

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  Great for the price! - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By maja0128 - November 8 - 10:13 am

  I am enjoying my Sentra. For the price with the fuel ecomony you cant go wrong. I only wish the updated design was available when I bought it but thats ok. I am very happy with it.

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  Designed for short term fun, BEWARE of Maintenance cost - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By rayman3000 - November 8 - 6:02 am

  I will be brief. This vehicle is fun to drive no doubt. Once you get in for a test drive, you will buy this vehicle cos its so much fun to drive. The bad news is the cost of maintenance. You will spend a lot of time repairing this vehicle. Once it leaves the repair shop, do not ride this vehicle unless you are trying to know if the problems has been repaired or you are taking a new buyer on a test drive. Fail to heed my warning and you will fall in love with this vehicle again. Its like a woman you love, but you cant stand her naughty behavior. Buyers be warned. Stay away from her unless you have deep pockets. issues i have suffered: Wheel bearings (front right and back left), diffe

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  MPG After Two Years - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ohlode - November 8 - 3:06 am

  Regarding MPG on my 2008 Pathfinder S 4x4 with automatic transmission. After two years and 28K I consistently get 18.5 mpg mainly around town and usually with a small mix of expressway/freeway driving. I use 87 octane only. A/C or not it gets the same mileage. On trips Ive averaged 23 mpg. Hope this is helpful. I chose the Pathfinder over the 4 Runner because of the deal. About four thousand cheaper and the base 2008 4 runner didnt even have the 3d seat as standard. Towing capacity was 1K more than the V6 4 runner. So glad I picked the Pathfinder.

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  Has some issues but not too bad - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By ed - November 7 - 9:40 pm

  Very common problems that will cost you a lot of dough...crank sensor problem, evaporation valve problems... Those are the main 2 I know. other than that I like my sentra, but dont know if id buy another nissan based on the massive number of Nissan owners complaining of these two problems, which I call defects.

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  Great fun car to drive - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By scottbui - November 6 - 4:10 pm

  I tried the SLK 280/350, Z4 and neither of these vehicles came close to the fun factor of owning the 350z. Shouldve purchased a 4 seater though to give more flexibility but thats the nature of the beast in purchasing a 2 seater.