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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  Nissan Titan Crew Cab - 2007 Nissan Titan
  By john - April 15 - 9:36 am

  Solid truck that is smooth, handles well, drives well. Power is outstanding. A real stud to tow with. 5 speed transmission a real plus for towing and all around driving. Pulls my enclosed race car trailer in od and cruise. Chevy and Ford wont do it. Comfortable seat(captains chair). Got a great price. Only negative is fuel mileage in the mid teens.

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  2001 Nissan Frontier - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By thedevilsadvocate - April 15 - 12:30 am

  This truck is rock solid - it was designed to work. The larger Frontiers are for play, this truck is entirely for utility. The gas mileage wasnt bad at about a consistent 22 mpg; I used it as a student commuter or to haul my motorcycles. I never had a single mechanical issue with this vehicle (I logged 60,000 miles!). The engine is very easy to work on (I used to be in mech.engineering), insurance is dirt cheap and the body panels are easily recoverable from eBay at decent prices. This truck is much like a Lego set if you ask me.

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  Great looking but not mechanically sound - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Andy - April 14 - 9:56 pm

  only 32k miles: Having been a short term owner thus far I have had to replace many parts: from brake rotors to master clutch and rear shocks all not built well from factory having speaking with many owners whome also replaced many parts either under warrenty or not. Otherwise I am thrilled with the look and functionality of this car and its relatively low weight makes the mid powered 2.5L feel more powerful than other cars with similar engines. It also handles excellant in corners and bumpy roads.

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  Pathfinder - 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
  By vmi82 - April 14 - 10:00 am

  It was extremely dependable, but not as good as others on gas.

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  Another Winner - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By pathman - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Im a dedicated Maxima driver but with kids now, our last purchase required more room. Ive had our Pathfinder for over a year now. Im very impressed with the performance. It negotiates the snowiest hills of NH and the deepest sands of the beach without effort. Yes, it chows a lot more gas than Id like, but so do all the vehicles in this class... hopefully a gas/electric hybrid SUV is in Nissans future. Ford is about to release the first SUV hybrid as an Escape model. Speaking of Ford, I must comment on Angr1s review and choice to trade his Pathfinder for an Explorer!? Before I drove Maximas, I drove T-Birds. Good luck with your F.O.R.D (fix or repair daily)!

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  Another Winner - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Pathman - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Im a dedicated Maxima driver but with kids now, our last purchase required more room. Ive had our Pathfinder for over a year now. Im very impressed with the performance. It negotiates the snowiest hills of NH and the deepest sands of the beach without effort. Yes, it chows a lot more gas than Id like, but so do all the vehicles in this class... hopefully a gas/electric hybrid SUV is in Nissans future. Ford is about to release the first SUV hybrid as an Escape model. Speaking of Ford, I must comment on Angr1s review and choice to trade his Pathfinder for an Explorer!? Before I drove Maximas, I drove T-Birds. Good luck with your F.O.R.D (fix or repair daily)!

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  just bought one - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By keebler - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my 02 Frontier CrewCab with the 6 bed, and althoughive only put 25 miles on it, it is so nice. i think i wount have any regrets for buying it.

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  Fun Car Always Gets Head Turns - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By DNAMan - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for ten months now. Only two minor problems, both elctrical connections. This 4 cylinder engine does pack power. I still get people asking me how I customized it, I tell them I just bought it off the lot! There is some road noise (much more than the 3 Toyotas Ive had) especially on concrete but I can live with it.

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  Best for the money - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By alli - April 14 - 9:53 am

  The Yaris was like driving a bubble, the Fit was nice but cost too much, my Versa is bigger has more power and better MPG. The only thing I would change would have been my color selection (2) which did not not make my head turn.

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  Nissan - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By ANNETTE - April 14 - 9:16 am

  I Have had my pathfinder since day one, and it is so hard for me to give it up now, I have had "NO PROBLEMS" with it, I have over 175,000 miles and still going, I added the remote start to it and changed the radio to have a cd player,i am in the process of selling it and the trust is in excellent shape for being over 10 yrs old. inside and out, I wish that nissan kept the same body style but they changed it. I recommend Nissan. I had this truck in service just about every 3K miles and can say that is why i have had no problems with it.