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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  Smooth Criminal - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By stan_sr - October 20 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. It just ask you to give it gas everytime you get in the car. The car holds the road in all the turns. As I was driving down the interstate one day a Volvo owner decided he want to have a little race. I gave him a thirty yard head start and blew his doors off. I never saw that guy after that. My kids named the car smooth criminal because the car moves faster than you think you are going so you know a speeding ticket is just around the corner. LOL!! This car is a real kicker.

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  Awesome..as I expected..!! - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By PRP - October 18 - 8:30 am

  This car lives up to its expectations. Its fun to drive. The 3.5L engine is preppy, and very responsive. The ride is very comfortable. Plenty of interior room. The trunk is huge. Step aside, Accord and Camry..!!

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  not bad - 2001 Nissan Quest
  By jots - October 17 - 10:00 am

  nice car a bit pricey

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  Disappointed - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Sunny - October 17 - 12:53 am

  I needed a commuter car. The Altima looks good and feels solid, but there a little things about the car that just bug the heck out of me. For anyone that drives a lot, rent this car first and drive it. Do your homework. If I could only do it all over again I would not have bought this car.

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  Good Reliable Transportation - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By Tim - October 14 - 12:16 pm

  My 98 GLE has 90,000 miles on it and I have owned it since 22,000 mi. It has treated me very well. Its not a sports car or SUV, but just sound, comfortable transportation. The car has been very reliable with no major maintenance at all. It seems to be well designed and will likely go to our daughter for many years to come. Previously had a 1983 VW Jetta that was awesome & was concerned that the Altima wouldnt measure up, but it has. Overall very good.

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  Nice, spaaaaacious, fuel efficient car! - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Reinholdt - October 13 - 8:20 pm

  Got the 2.0s 6M in April, and I found the ride very quiet and reasonably well mannered. It certainly does not like any sort of rough road, however, where the suspension can have me bouncing around all over the cabin. The shift throw had been difficult to get used to, but thats okay. I mean, I can play "hide-n-go-seek" inside the cabin there is sooo much space! I do find the quality of the plastics inside to be lacking. The interior is very easy to mark if you are not careful but overall, a great car for my long commute, and knowing the Nissan powerplant, the engine should get me close to half a million KMs.

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  In the end, reliable - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By wrecks7 - October 13 - 11:26 am

  The car proved to be fairly reliable, especially since I paid little attention to its upkeep. At the time and at this price point, the Altima stood alone in performance and appearance. The AC went kaput in year four, engine mounts in year six. Downside is the poor material used in for the interior (Ive seen GM cars with better plastic), and the body is only slightly more dent resistant than a can of Spam. However, the most frustrating was its awful turning radius. It was inexcusably poor.

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  Pleasantly Suprised - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Mike Kelley - October 13 - 11:05 am

  I purchased this vehicle used, I read many reviews on this vehicle and while the Star value from all sites were 4.5 or higher I saw a mixed review of how people perceived the vehicle. Overall Since Ive owned the vehicle I couldnt be more happy as a 6ft tall male weighing 195lbs its quite comfortable. Pros would be lots of leg room, Quiet Ride, plenty of upfront storage, Good gas mileage(Based on weight, motor size and size of vehicle. Lets face the facts its a 4 dr Truck weighs a couple tons not a small car weighing in at a buck fifty). CONs only one I can think of think of would be a bit more storage space.

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  I want to trade it in already! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Ica - October 12 - 7:23 am

  I do like my 2.5S Altima for the way that it looks on the outside. The design especially on the back is what led me to the dealer in the first place. The push key is fun as well. But that is all that is good inside, noise comes from everywhere! I feel like it is going to fall apart as I drive it. Oh and mine sounds like crap all day and I keep taking in to the dealer they say it is fixed some recall crap and then guess what I hear as I drive home? Ugh!

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  Extremely good car for the money - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By vinvv - October 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car used 6 months ago, and put 20,000 miles on it already. drives great, good mileage, have taken good care of this car (as my other cars; im a mechanical engineer). its 5 years old and has not come up with any maintenance work yet ! Tho i did upgrade the stock speakers.