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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  Love It! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By gdgtdad - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Tons of room. I am 65" and have @ least 5" of leg room sitting behind driver seat W/it slid all the way back.Gas milage is averaging about 12- 13 but its a powerful truck I wasnt expecting 20MPG or better.I love the flip up rear seats.Being taller I do tend to be looking through the top tint of the windshield but its not that big a deal.I was suprised that I could not activate the interior lights by fully engaging the dimmer knob.You have to flip switches individually to make this happen. Also my dimmer switch seems extra sensitive and I find it difficult to maintain the dim setting for dash lights that I like.Had to replace center console in 1st month.

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  Love my Alti! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By sillyccn - July 4 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS THE BEST CAR. SOME PEOPLE ARE VEING TO CRITICAL. NOT EVERY CAR IS PERFECT. SURE IT HAS SOME FLAWS, BUT SHOW ME A CAR THAT DOESNT.

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  Traded my Benz, best move I ever made - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Quincy - July 4 - 10:00 am

  My wife liked my car so much (04 6spd SE) and she hated her 01 MB C240, the Benz was in the shop once every 45 days and we only had it 10 months. we had the loaner just as much as our car. The service at the Benz dealership was awful as well. Finally, we had enough, she said why dont I just get a maxima too, fine with me, she likes a soft smooth ride so she went for the 04 SL auto, hasnt complained since.

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  Love my Altima - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By FLAltima - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my Nissan Altime 2 days ago and I absolutley love it. Coming from a 03Pontiac Grand Am I wasnt used to foreign cars yet, which I guess gives me more appreciation of them. I was between the altima and an acoord and by far just by looking at the accord there was no better choice. Everyone says side curtain airbags come standard on the accord but they dont the one I was looking at didnt even have it as an option. So by far there is no better choice then the altima at least in my opinion.

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  New Frontiers - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By John Daulton - July 3 - 9:29 am

  No problems with the power train or any systems. Drivers side cloth seat is worn, but I do that with all of my trucks.

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  Inspiring - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By T.C. - July 2 - 9:33 pm

  GREAT CAR! I absolutely love my new Nissan. I get great gas mileage, its sporty to drive, and the interior space is very efficient and user friendly. I would reccomend this car to anyone who has a limited budget.

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  It still rides - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By tonio - July 2 - 11:50 am

  I love my truck. When I drive other cars, sure I love the zippiness of them, but when I get back in my truck, I love the feel of being in command of a ...truck. I feel right with the world. I have 209,000 miles on my truck.

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  Hatchback of the Decade - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Josh Cromwell - July 2 - 9:26 am

  I needed a car to commute to and from work. I decided on the Versa after carefully considering Sentra and Frontier. I drove each vehicle for a couple days and the choice was obvious after driving Versa. All the options and room of the more expensive Sentra, and nearly twice the gas mileage of Frontier. Im getting 33 mpg and Ill be the first to admit I have a very heavy foot. Interior room is unbelievable. Im 61" 300 lbs and theres plenty of room to spare in the front and rear.

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  first review - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By fussner - July 2 - 5:13 am

  I have a 5 speed and am overall very happy about my purchase, ive put 2,000 miles on it in a month with many many more to go. The rpms on the 5 spd. Manual seem high. Maybe a 6th gear overdrive would help gas mileage. Other than that Im averaging 300 miles to the tank and I love driving my xterra

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  luv my pathfinder - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By kevin c - July 2 - 2:00 am

  great vehicle. leased but considering the buyout. roomy, comfortable ride. love the digital temp control and compass/outside temp display. best vehicle ive ever had