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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  Comfortalble and rugged - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Stephen Stallings - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Very rugged and spacios. Has comfortalble seating and the shocks are very durable for the easy feeling ride.

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  Bad Ride - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Ken Simpson - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Sold "Z" within months of purchase. I have owned three Nissan "Z" machines and this one had the worst ride of them all. Like one of those old Chevy Corvets.

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  Lamans Sunset love - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By desmopedro - April 21 - 2:00 am

  "I was sick of driving all of my friends around." That was how I was going to start this review. Its February 27th here in MN, and this is the first time I have driven my car to a new job I just took. Hmmm, it goes so much deeper that that! Not only does the car turn heads around town, it still turns mine! The performance is GREAT, the styling is superb, and the cost is excellent. I have done a few things to the already potent V6 that has increased performance a little, and has let is breath, sending its beautiful tone to let the world hear. Ok, the only time I talk like this is about my Girlfriend and my car. It MUST be LOVE!

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  MS. MAXIMA OF ATLANTA - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By G CHAMBERS - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my Maxima!!! I only wish that I could afford to have several colors! I purchased the Majestic Blue 3.5SE...but I love all the colors. I thought that the 96 was smooth...but my 2004 is beyond smooth (the best just keeps on getting better). The initial take off is more than impressive...and I really love demonstrating this fact to my friends and any 18 wheelers that are in my way (I just, effortlessly, leave them in the dust). Dollar for dollar...you cannot lose with this awesome baby. You have everything you would get in highline vehicle...at thousands of dollars less! Im so proud to own a Nissan. Thank you... Ms. Maxima of Atlanta

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  Never buy a Nissan. Acceleration stopped in Highway. - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By ryandbm - April 20 - 7:57 pm

  Nissan has acceleration problems. The sensor in the gas pedal can develop faults, leading to a sluggish acceleration or an outright stall regardless of how much throttle the driver dials in. If you google "nissan acceleration problem", there are 2,360,000 results show in 0.13 seconds. The year spans from 1994 to 2013 in Rouge, Altima, Sentra, Cube, Maxima, etc. although Nissan only recalled the 2004-2013 cars. I have a 2006 Nissan Altima, which showed the sudden stop in high way 4 times from 2010 to 2013. But my car is not in the recall list. Nissan and its dealers are finding all excuses to push off the responsibility. My lesson is never buy a Nissan.

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  more power - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By t lehman - April 20 - 7:23 pm

  i have a 99 pathfinder and the new pathfinder is so much more enjoyable especially with the addtional power. The all wheel drive was excellant on the ice and snow, seems even better than the 4wd

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  Not happy - 2009 Nissan Sentra
  By Stacey - April 20 - 12:20 pm

  I am not at all happy with this car. I have had it for 11 months and already the front brake pads had to be replaced and the rotors machined. Today the a/c went out. Im only averaging 20 mpg. The ironic thing is the FE stands for Fuel Economy. I wont be buying another.

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  Change - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By KATHIE BOSH - April 20 - 10:30 am

  Rear seats that go up and down do lock very good , not enough places to store things, when driving in the wind feels like going to tip over bose radio not very good has very bad sound

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  overall gr8 car! - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By reggie delgado - April 19 - 4:00 pm

  My mom bought this car brand new in 99 and took gr8 care of it. I got it on my 16th birthday in 05. It had 48,000 miles on it and apart from normal wear and tear items, no repairs were necessary. Ive loved this car even before I got it. The look of the car was what got me first. It had sleek lines and absolutely beautiful pearl white paint. Then inside, the leather is pristine and the controls are very accessible. All my friends loved the car too. The car currently has 108,000+ miles (college and back) and so far, Ive only had to replace the radiator, o2 sensor, MAF sensor, alternator, front and rear struts, and a rebuilt transmission. I plan to keep this car till the wheels fall off!!!

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  A perfect start - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By jekyll137 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Two years and 20K Mi and it has been great! My wife has a civic VP and she is always taking MY CAR! I have the SE Model and it has tons of gitup-N-Go. This is a great value for someone looking to get into their first car or just tring to find something to get around town with. Only 1 time for a recall, it was done in ten minutes. The biggest downside of this car is that the back seat is only big enough for my two Jack Russell Terriers, My 6 foot tall friend hates it because he is always kneeing me in the back of the chair. Other than that I love it, it was affordable, and its "peppy." I would reccomed this to anyone, and have!!