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:

• 

  Bigger is better - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By heliumarm - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Have owned Tahoes,Suburbans and a Sequoia. The Armada is an improvment.It has nice power but the trans shifting is vague. Ride and handeling are above avg. for something this big. Interior is comfortable enough but has lots of plastic. Bring your Exxon card,its thirsty, 13 1/2mpg. Great storage and cup holders. I wish Bridgestone had Revo tires this size.

• 

  Frontier Review - 1998 Nissan Frontier
  By stratamite - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I like this Truck alot. It is not the smoothest ride out there, but it does alright. Gas milage bites! A little over 200 miles on a 13 Gal. tank. It is very reliable and starts well in cold weather. It loves the winter driving! Id recomend the Fontier.

• 

  First Pathfinder - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Pathfinder One - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I tried the Explorer, Grand Cherokee,and others (even the non- truck SUVs,these are fine if you dont need the capabilities of a truck). I found the Pathfinder SE to be the best overall value (excellent reliabilty record was a big factor). The build is solid and of high quality. I have had it 3 weeks and I like it more each time I drive it. $1000 under invoice and 0.9 financing didnt hurt, either!

• 

  I GOT MY SPEC V FULLY LOADED for $18,600 - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By RICKY TAN - April 25 - 10:00 am

  All I have to say is that for 2002, there is certainly not a better car for the money. I am getting 0-60 times of 7 flat and 1/4 mile times of 15.3-5 depending on the day. If someone can please show me a better car that came fully loaded with a cd player, 6 disk changer, 9 speaker system, subwoofer, sunroof, front and side airbags, ABS, spoiler, helical limited slip differential, and 17 in flossin Enkei rims, I would really like to see. There is no doubt in my mind that this car kicks ***. I am a junky for the turn, and if you like to take turns at high speeds, then this is the car for you.

• 

  Great Restyle - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By greenbrook - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Great power,room and design

• 

  Wife LOVES this truck! - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Bryan - April 25 - 9:23 am

  So far so Good! The truck was bought in Jan 2008 and my wife only has 6000 miles on it. But fuel economy of 14 my rear end....she gets 12 and 13 if lucky! Now I will say we put a Flowmaster exhaust on there (which sounds GREAT!) and that has helped some with gas mileage. I reconmend everyone doing that to their truck. Now we did go on a road trip and got 20 mpg but that city mileage hurts. The interior is plasticy but no biggie......I mean it is a truck. Smooth shifts, powerful V-6, love the looks, etc. Other than gas mileage we have no complaints.

• 

  Sweet Car - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By silver bullet - April 24 - 7:50 am

  This is a very nice car. Bought it 2 weeks ago, and it turns heads all the time. I test drove other cars, but none of them had "it." The Z definitely does. The power is great, the looks are great, and the handling is awesome.

• 

  Great improvement - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Marc - April 24 - 7:40 am

  I purchased my 2008 Nissan Altima in April 2008. It has been a great car thus far, fun to drive and handles well. I love the push button start the most, you cant be the opts for a 2.5 S. Previously, I owned a 2006 Altima but it was totaled in an accident. The new Altima improvements are noticeable and you would think they would be in a more expensive car.

• 

  WOW - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By OMAC - April 23 - 7:46 pm

  This is my first new car in 10 yrs. I am glad I chose the Nissan Rogue. Very comfortable to drive and good pick up for a 4 cylinder. Exceeded my expectations in regards to handling and safety. Jim Keras Nissan did a great job of recommending this vehicle.

• 

  Love my Murano! - 2011 Nissan Murano
  By jazzykendra - April 23 - 12:53 pm

  I chose the Murano S. I find my new vehicle fun to drive and easy to navigate. Its reliable and I love the design of the vehicle, both the interior and the exterior.