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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  the best compact pick up - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By moe - November 1 - 10:00 am

  the vehicle has good handeling.i recomend getting the sport package its worth it.for mild offroading its great.in the xe model it needs a locking rear axle but other wise a great truck

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  Love this car - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By pk509 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand spankin new in December 1995 and have been madly in love ever since. Great performance, excellent road manners, and a fantastic Bose sound system all contribute to how much I love driving this car. At 96000 miles, Ive finally had to have the brakes done, it needs a new clutch, CV boots, and some other maintenance, but this car is still running strong and has never, ever let me down. Great fuel economy compared to many cars on the road today.

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  Great inexpensive commute car - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By Valentina Thapanawat - November 1 - 10:00 am

  This model of Sentra is bigger and roomier than previous ones. It was great buy for the money and it performs nicely as an every day commute vehicle.

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  99 Altima GXE - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By zipcode22 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Purchased car 1 year ago today. 1. Have had no mechanical problems despite unusually rough winter. 2. Maintnance limited to scheduled, minimal cost and time requirements. 3. Strong engine with great pick-up for 4 cylinder. 4. 25mpg on mixed tank, 32 on expressway

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  Sweeeet -Maximas are chick magnets too - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By PW - November 1 - 10:00 am

  True story, I recently purchasd my Maxima SE, Silver on Frost (light gray), very beautiful car. I stop by a light and heared a horn. i took a look around and there were two ladies eyeing my car. I waved and turned around, then they honked their horn again, I looked again and they were asking for my number. Being recently engaged and all I had to do the right thing, smile, say sorry I cant and move on. I cant believe cars can be chick magnets (thought it was only in movies). My last Acura 1.6 el didnt work this kind of magic for me.

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  Im Loving It - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By urgirlang - October 31 - 11:36 pm

  I bought it used with 98400 miles on it. Its the first car I ever bought with high miles. I just hit 100000 miles a few days ago. I know it hasnt been a month yet, but its probably the best car I have owned. Everything else I have owned were American cars. Ive had a Ford Escort, Mercury Cougar, Dodge Neon, Pontiac Grand Am. I like the fact that it has a Timing Chain instead of a belt. I love driving it! The only thing is that I dont see a difference in gas considering my Grand Am was a V6 and this is a 4 cylinder. It seems like I got more mileage out of the V6.

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  2005 Nissan 2.5 S Automatic - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By m_z - October 31 - 11:34 pm

  - This was the roomiest car Ive ever really fit into as my previous cars, in order, were: Civic, Corolla then Passat (leased) and my first w/auto transmission. - Bought car in Sept. 2005 used with 20,001 miles on it. Found out it was previously owned by Enterprise Rental, but warranty was almost used up hence price ~6k below retail cost! - Had to buy an extended 3yr. warranty which paid itself off later. Then bought another final ext. warranty for an add. 3 yrs. later. - After many repairs years later, it still works but isnt that fuel efficient, 23/27 city/hwy but winter brings it down to 18/24 city. - Too many repairs now so wont consider another Nissan >:(

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  Great car, undervalued - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By El Viejo - October 31 - 9:16 pm

  The Versa is a great car, built well, comfortable, great CVT, rides well, corners well and is all around a great product. When gas goes to $7 a gallon, who will be laughing?

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  MPG - 2012 Nissan Pathfinder
  By mrcarp - October 31 - 2:48 pm

  ...continued...Towed about 1,500 lbs. of rocks for 4 hours through the Adirondacks on Sunday and achieved an admirable 19.4 mpgs. The auto-shift is great and worked smooth going up the some of the steeper hills. Parked next to a relatively new Grand Cherokee on the ferry and the PF dwarfed it even loaded down with suitcases and the trailer.

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  The Best - 2006 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Little Rock - October 31 - 8:40 am

  This is the best SUV Ive driven. I have owned 3 Ford Explorers and will never go back. Before buying I test drove the 4-Runner, but it was a lot rougher.