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:

• 

  Look at Nissan first - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Susan - May 31 - 3:46 pm

  Love the car. Only problem I had was the front seat squeaked a lot, turned out to be a loose bolt. Mileage has improved in 6 months, getting around 30 mpg combo city/highway. Handles great, very comfy, roomy inside. Stereo rocks. All controls are easy to use, great heat and A/C distribution. Shifter is user-friendly. When you push on the gas pedal, this car moves!! Amazing for 2.0 engine. Also, good in the snow! I always look foward to driving now.

• 

  Frontier - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Don - May 31 - 3:03 pm

  Just love this vehicle, added a wood grain kit in the interior to take your eye off the plastic, looks great. Very responsive 4.0 litre engine, not bad on gas for a V6.

• 

  Do Your Research - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Mike - May 31 - 10:20 am

  Have not had any problems until recently; 4wd and ecu, fuel pump, etc. We think this is due to the beefy 4wd and transfer casing on this model taken from the Titan/armada. Working fine one day and then 12+ error codes on the diagnostic the next. It is probably not Nissan itself, but Rather the ecu unit malfunctioning. Personally, I find this car to be solid, well-built and stylish for the category. Its no escalade or Land Rover, but performs better where it counts. Buy a warranty on any vehicle that has a "new" anything for a model year. We got the gold-preferred, so 99.9% of the car is covered, and we did this because this was the first v8 year. Glad we did.

• 

  A Drivers Car With A CVT?? - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Abyss - May 31 - 1:56 am

  After 3 weeks 07 Altima 3.5 SE has been a lot of fun to drive. Looks great inside and out. Great interior layout. Im glad Nissan got rid of their childish scoped orange speedo/tach. However fit and finish still has some significant body gaps (granted its only been in production a few months). CVT isnt all that quick nor fuel efficient (average 20 mpg in mixed driving), what was the point in doing this? This car does not coast along (or even down large hills). Hopefully it will be reliable to makeup for this. Suspension is very stiff, you will feel every bump in the pavement. Also has HUGE blind spots (so does Camry SE) making highway merging difficult.

• 

  Aswesome Car - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By mistakall - May 30 - 2:01 pm

  I just purchased my Maxima with premium pkg 3 days ago and let me tell you this vehicle is aswesome. I traded in my nissan Rouge and what a difference I actually took my daughter to purchase a nissan altima coupe another aweswome vehicle but after test driving the maxima I was offered a deal I couldnt pass on. The ride was smooth and the power is unmatched great value for this car compared to others I looked at like BMW, Audi and Volvo. I wish I would have opted for the Navi system but im sure I can get a nice portable one much cheaper. I am glad I purchased this car ill be traded into another one after my lease ends its the car for me.

• 

  2002 Pathfinder - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By PathfinderLover - May 30 - 10:00 am

  The 2002 Nissan Pathfinder is a force to be wreckend with. Its an excellent perfomer-on and off-road. Great SUV!!!

• 

  2001 - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By zues - May 30 - 10:00 am

  Great car! Needs better excelleration from it.

• 

  Awesome Vehicle - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Leena - May 30 - 10:00 am

  The new Altima is the car of all cars. The 4 cyl. has more power than the 6 cyl. Montero I had previously. Its very roomy and comfortable inside and if thats not enough, its a major eye catcher! What a beauty! Two thumbs up to Nissan for redesigning this awesome vehicle!

• 

  good car - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By g3aio - May 30 - 4:13 am

  Just bought this nissan back in may, so far its on its 2nd motor, the cat has been replaced, its been good so far, havent had any major mechanical problems yet, but will since i drive car til their run into the ground.

• 

  SUPER MAXIMA - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By Supamaxima - May 30 - 2:00 am

  If you want a car that can beat any other stock car at any stop light this is the one for you. It can do it with the most comfortable interior, five speed trans(optional) and a 190hp V6 that comes standard. The only shortcoming of this car towards the camry and accord is the suspension. Its a little stiff, but it makes that up in the turns. This huge thing can take any tight corner with ease, and as every street racer knows stiffer suspension means more grip in turns. Ive driven the carmy and accord, those boats have nothing , no power, no acceleration, no handling, just a luxirious interior that makes the car seem more than it really is.