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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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By R. Northcott - October 21 - 6:00 am

  I bought the Nissan Versa the first year it came out. I was looking for good gas mileage and the sticker said 28 city, 35 highway. The mileage was good at first but then I noticed that I was going to the gas station more often so I started tracking my mileage again. Well, I then discovered that I was getting 19 miles to a gallon instead of the 26 or so I got when I first bought the car. I brought it to the dealership where I bought it and another local Nissan dealership and was told nothing was wrong with the car. Im not happy and will never buy another Nissan.

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  Easy and fun to drive - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By GatorFan - October 20 - 7:43 pm

  Love this truck. It is short people friendly....with the adjustable pedals, I can sit far back and drive cofortably. Lots of room, and 3rd row is very easy to get into and to lay flat. Lots of bells and whistles....more than the Tahoe and the Sequoia....and for a lot less money!

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  Excellent Vehicle and Great Price Too - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By Stephen Esslinger - October 20 - 11:16 am

  Our new Murano is just an all around great vehicle. This vehicle was purchased for my wife. She drives approximately sixty miles a day and we live in the country. She sometimes has to work late hours and is on the expressway late at night, both winter and summer. From what I have observed so far, this vehicle gets far better mileage than her 2003 Santa Fe which we traded in. This car is loaded, rides great, is fun to drive and I think has all safety features available in a vehicle. We purchased chrome wheels, (extra) but they really set the looks of this vehicle off. For the money, this vehicle beats Lexus hands down. For the money, our Santa Fe was good but this Murano is great!! We love it.

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  Love My Titan - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By NateM - October 20 - 9:16 am

  I recently traded in my 1997 F-150 and purchased a 2006 Titan SE Crew Cab. It is the best truck I have ever owned. The power is superb, and it handles better than I expected. The only area I would improve would be the mpg, I am getting about 16 mpg. In my opinion this vehicle really stands above the rest!

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  Could have changed this part. - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Carl - October 20 - 8:43 am

  So far very happy with the car. Only some small complaints. Car rides very nice until you hit a sharp, quick bump in the road. Feels like you hit a brick in the road. Biggest complaint, but bought the car anyway is where they placed the 2 charger ports in the car. One at the bottom of the arm rest storage area and the other at the back of the storage in the center console. If you store anything in these areas, youll have to empty everything out just to plug in a charger. I agree big time about what someone else wrote. They should have more options available. Its either nothing or everything. Big difference in the price tag.I paid $500.00 out of pocket to have a spoiler put on.

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  They killed my baby - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By osvolant - October 20 - 12:36 am

  One of the best cars Ive ever owned. Bought in 2000 with 40k miles, now has 128k and is going to the junk heap because some idiot crashed into it while parked at the curb- ins. co. is totaling it. Sigh. Excellent balance of performance, comfort, and mileage (25 mpg suburban, 27 highway, 5-speed) Still on the original clutch, original struts, has never needed Freon, burns no oil, has no rust, and the Bose stereo still sounds good. Had to replace one CV joint boot; otherwise only routine maintenance.

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  Build quality issue - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By anazar - October 19 - 8:05 pm

  We bought the new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder (SL version 45K) in January/13. By now, the SUV broke down 4 times: transmission hose fell off (the car had to be towed), overdrive did not work from the beginning, front lights burnt out, trunk door rubbed paint off the car due to bad alignment. All of these are manufacturing defects. We highly recommend this vehicle if you like to drive dirty service cars or unsuccessfully deal with Nissan Customer Service. Nissan is very proud of their design and manufacturing and believe that there is nothing wrong with the vehicle. Bravo Nissan Canada!

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  More holes in your wallet - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By Sherpa - October 19 - 6:23 pm

  I got my 08 Off-Road edition in Dec 2007. I have driven it on both city streets and highway, and have been on a few long road trips. For being a truck, Xterra offers a very comfortable ride. At the end of my longest trip, six hours, I still felt very relaxed with no sore muscles. On the highway, this vehicle will not disappoint you. Those little hills on the highway wont be a problem at all and passing other vehicles is a breeze. In the city, its amazing. If I am stopped at a light and the light turns green and I step on the gas, it just goes! One thing I hate is the cold weather driving. It feels a little sluggish until the engine reaches the optimal level. Waiting to offroad now.

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  The best nissan Altima (Ever made) - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By lenchmoore - October 19 - 3:20 pm

  Well I purchased my Nissan altima gxe in New Jersey on September 1st 2004, on my way home this car ran so smooth as if it was brand new. As I drove it through the years it got better all the time I go around that steering wheel, personally I rate this Nissan altima gxe series over all the other altimas.

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  Checking in-passed 100K - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By chuckfromli - October 19 - 3:03 pm

  Maybe I am reviewing this thing too often, LOL. Just wanted to check in as it passed 100K a month ago. Havent had to put any money into it lately, but did put about $2500 into it in 2007-2008. It got new wheel bearings all around, a new pulley, new timing belt and water pump, new exhaust, sway bar bushings, and the differential fluid changed. That was a lot of money for two years, but it hadnt really needed much until it got to be about 7 years old and had 80K on it or so. I think that pretty good. Any old car is going to need repairs. Also, I retired and now I realize that the gas mileage stinks, LOL! All those years I was driving mostly highway and getting 16. Now its all suburban and 11