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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  First truck and so far, so good - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By EGP - May 28 - 3:26 am

  A year and 13K+ miles, no major problems so far. Sales process and service top notch. For pros & cons, here we go: This is not a full size truck. This thing bounces around on rouch roads like Charo from the Love Boat. I got the Crew Cab for my 3 year old and it is tight, yet very functional. Also, this thing sucks petrel like no other 6-cylinder, albeit supercharged, engine I have ever seen. A- for you looking for me to grade on a curve.

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  CRAPPIEST Car I ever owned - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By giorgos2 - May 27 - 10:14 pm

  I bought the 2009 Altima in March 2009. It is by far the CRAPPIEST car I ever owned (among 10+ cars). Extremely noisy cabin, gas-alcoholic, rides uncomfortably, issues with transmission, touchy brakes, cheaply-made interior, seals already weathered, very noisy while accelerating, etc, etc. ... and not to mention the much higher insurance-premiums Nissan owners have to pay for such a piece of crap. CVT is totally worthless - it truly subtracts any little value this vehicle has. The only positive attribute I can talk about is the style of the car, and outside shape/contours, which were quite a big factor in choosing it - I still think it has a great look (as most Nissans do).

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  Awesome Altima! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By zbarker - May 27 - 5:20 pm

  I bought my Altima about 3 days ago and absolutely love it! It has a quick engine for a 4 cylinder and is very roomy! Am going down from a minivan to a sedan and love it. The amount of room is great along with the view out all the windows, everything is in good proportion. Am going out today to buy another fob for it, that intelligent system is awesome and the push button start. I feel when I drive it that I got a lot more for my money, I got a good price, good mileage, and am 110% happy with my decision. If youre trying to decide between a 2007 Altima, Accord, or Camry, go with the Altima - you wont regret it. Whats great is the styling inside and out, push button start and peppiness!

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  I really like this car - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By 7thnissan - May 27 - 1:46 pm

  I got this car for my wife, but I got to drive it on a 600 mile trip. We averaged 27 mpg city and highway. The Maxima was very comfortable and roomy, trunk space was unbeliveable. The two kids had enough room in the back to make their own little nest without touching each other. I drive a 95 Q45 and the Maxima has nearly all the same features except for the V8, didnt miss it.

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  What a deal! - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By Jenny V - May 27 - 11:33 am

  I knew the 2007 Sentra was a complete redesign, and I always wanted a 2.5 Sentra. The dealer had a SpecV that listed for almost $20,000, but after all the incentives I saved thousands. This car ROCKS. Runs like a rabbit and still gets great gas mileage. Stereo sounds super. People call it outdated, but I still think the SpecV looks awesome. Mine is the Volcanic orange color. I recommend snapping up one of the 06 models before the 07 hits the lots. The dealers are selling a great little car for a song to make room.

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  Traded 15 Murano for 17.5 Rouge - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By Tx Driver - May 27 - 6:35 am

  As far as road noise the Murano wins over the Rogue but not by a lot. The Rouge sits taller than the Murano but the Rouge ride does not feel as solid as the Murano. All that said, I prefer the Rouge over the Murano. The overall cabin features and ease of controls, armrest, USB, etc seem easier to navigate to me. The rule economy in the Rouge is a big plus, it just does not use a lot of fuel in "Economy Mode".

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  2013 Altima 2.5 SL - poor build quality - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By sdginz13 - May 26 - 9:10 pm

  I have had the car for all of a week new. Previously mostly a Honda/Acura owner. Liked the design and the promise of great fuel economy wanted to try something new. To date I am seriously doubting my purchase of a new Nissan. The factory in Tennessee as others have mentioned has some serious quality control issues. For starters both front doors rub against the frame or fender when opening or closing. Also it appears that seat heaters were wired incorrectly from the factory. In addition, the CVT has a hesitation at about 1500 rpm and vibrates the car. Guess thats why people buy Hondas.

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  Great SUV - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By Johnny Quest - May 26 - 4:18 pm

  I really like my Rogue a lot. Wasnt expecting it to be my favorite test drive, but it was. Rides great, quiet on the road, feels very solid, connected with the road, and upscale. Gas mileage rating is spot on. After 4000 miles Im averaging exactly the rated 27 combined mpg and I drive combined city and highway. Actually about 1 mpg better than my previous midsize car was so Im not complaining for an AWD SUV. The CVT also turned out to be better than expected. Easily and seamlessly compensates for hills on the interstate without hunting for gears - just finds it sweet spot on rpms. Transmission can be a little slow to respond at times but has no trouble getting up to,speed if you give it a little extra gas when called for. Reviewer says its slow, but a 0-60 time of 8.6 is hardly lethargic for the class of vehicle and given that its just a 4 cylinder engine and its class leading gas mileage, I have no issues with the performance. Sun and Sound package on the SV model is great. Instrumentation and technology also very nice. Plenty of room for passengers and versitile cargo arrangement capabilities. Overall, an excellent vehicle. I have no regrets purchasing it and would do so again today.

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  A Classy Car - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By S - May 26 - 2:20 pm

  I purchased my Z after comparing it to BMW, Mercedes and Lexus. After driving each of the others, I returned to this vehicle for its comfort, performance and quick response. People constantly remark about its beauty. The trunk is remarkably large and easily can hold the golf clubs and suitcases. I love this car. It is by far my favorite of all.

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  2005 Nissan Pathfinder - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By nissanhater - May 26 - 1:37 pm

  Vehicle has plenty of power and is fun off-road and in the snow. Downsides are the door handles on rear doors are mounted to high for kids to use - plan on opening doors for them until they are about 7yrs old. 3rd row seating is ok for kids and adults the size of kids. Fuel sensor and window switches fail ealry-on. On many pathfinders the radiators are defective and leak coolant into the tranmission. Plan an extra $6500 for trany/radiator replacement. Get ext warranty and sell vehicle as soon as warranty runs out.