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 my Sentra - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Janet - January 11 - 5:00 pm

  This is my 2nd Sentra. Enjoyed my 06 so much, I traded it on the 07 Showroom model, when I went in for a oil change. New exterior and the CVT out of this world. I have more power & pickup than some vehicles with V6. The Bluetooth, is the best. I dont have to operate my cell phone...I let my car do it, by a push the button on the steering wheel. I have all the bells & whistles and feel like I drive & own a luxury car with all the economy and pep too. The tire sensor is touchy, but if you adjust the pressure for the weather and drive 40mph for a mile, it will go off. The battery went dead at 16 mths and dealership couldnt find the reason. Cost me $55 to replace it.(warranty)

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  Poor mans BMW - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Fishstick - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 98 SE (manual) last month and I love it. It is the best car for the money. It is extremely fun to drive, handles well under high speed cornering, and its a great daily driver.

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  Review from a test driver only - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Bett1e - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I test drove the Nissan Altima 2002 today (8/31) and I have to say I was very impressed. The car looks awesome. The paint looks questionable though - how long will it last? The V4 hesitates like most 4 cylinders. The V6 more than makes up for it. The car is definitely fun to drive.

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  wonderful surprise - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Dennis - January 11 - 1:50 am

  I have no idea why Edmunds dislikes the CVT. Maybe Nissan fixed its short- comings since the early days. I find it untra-smooth and responsive at any speed. Neither do I understand their so-so review of Muranos Bose stereo. Im a bit of an audiophile and cant imagine anything sounding any better. First 4 tanks Im getting 20+ mpg mostly around town. It is amazingly quiet. I cant figure out why its not at the top of everyones list.

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  Reliable Longterm Performer! - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By sy - January 10 - 2:13 pm

  Outstanding daily driver requiring little more than regular maintenance.

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  love my titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By nissan titan - January 10 - 12:40 pm

  after owning a 1989 chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 that I swore never to get rid of, even though I put in more money to maintain it as I did to purchase it, I moved to NH and decided that I needed a reliable vehicle to survive the elements. I now feel safer driving in the winter elements than I ever would have before and as an added bonus feel as if I am driving a luxury vehicle instead of a 4x4

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  " Are you still lost? Get a "PATHFINDER" - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ANNETTE - January 10 - 3:23 am

  Ellexcent SUV nice interior and rides likes a Sedan. If you want comfortful as well as style youre on the right path. Test Drive one today and you"ll never take a lost with the "PATHFINDER". Powerful drive for a Man and a gentle ride for a Woman.

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  Zippy, fun car! - 2015 Nissan Leaf
  By Kelly - January 10 - 1:23 am

  The Leaf is a really fun car to drive. It handles well, feels very solid and well made. I think its zippy- I dont understand the slow acceleration comment from Edmunds. I loved my previous car but sold it to friends in order to go with new technology. I leased rather than purchased- you want to be able to move on to a higher range vehicle in a few years. Hope Nissan comes out with a 150-200 range version in 2018 - Ill be waiting in line... If you dont like the odd look of the Leaf (many dont) its all the more reason to be driving it - you wont have to look at it! Inside, it is a nicely appointed, spacious car. As far as charging it - I plug it in to a standard outlet in my garage and it charges overnight. Just like my iPhone and iPad.... A regular, nightly procedure. 100 percent charged by 7 a.m. Love it. Leased January 2016. Adding a comment here.....LEASING is a better deal than purchasing.

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  My Spec V - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By JaySpecV04 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I was driving down a local highway one day when I was passed by a beautiful yellow Spec V. I never heard of them before, and just thought, a Sentra is a Sentra. I decided to do a little research. I saw the specs and the total package and I was really impressed. I thought, "wow, this car must be really fun." At the time I was driving a gas guzzling Dodge Durango. It was costing me at least $15 a day in gas just to do my everyday things. I only had it for about 4 months when I decided that maybe it just wasnt for me. I stopped down at my local Nissan dealership and picked up a black Spec V as fast as I could.I absolutly love it now. Very overlooked car.

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  Love My XTerra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By CKCFirst - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I really love my Xterra. I got it mainly for the looks, the durability, and the Nissan reliability. I was disappointed that leather seats were not an option, and it is a total pain to have to take out the back seat cushions to lower the back part flat. It has been very reliable, and kept me safe and unharmed in quite an impactive auto accident. I will seriously consider upgrading to the new model of XTerra, in the next few years, after I get this one paid off! It is very competitive in price, and I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking in the mid-size SUV market.