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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  Compare them all. Youll buy the Z. - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Kenn - December 7 - 2:00 am

  We actually bought the 350Z Roadster for my wife as a daily driver. After comparing the others in this class, we found the Z to have the most interior room, power, standard equipment (Bose stereo, heated seats, variable traction control and cruise control), and the lowest sticker price. You cant beat a 287 hp, convertable! Did I mention only 3000 imported for the US market this year, and no scheduled maintenance for 100K miles. And at our local dealer, free oil changes for a year. Look and compare them all, afterwards you will buy the 350Z. This vehicle insured, with everything, for about a thousand a year.

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  This car gets lots of looks - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By lee608 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This car has been perfect for us. No problems at all. Great looking, rides great, no wind noise, controls in the right places, good performance, excellent sound system. Dropped our 15 y/o son off at a party and the other boys said wow cool car. My 21 y/o daughter that drives Celica took two hours to go get milk. Get the sun roof not those silly roof windows. In Wisconsin, the heated steering wheel is awesome.

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  Dream Car - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Clancy - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Maxima. It is a dream to drive. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants a sharp looking car; power; and reliability.

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  Refined, fast, usable and proven beauty. - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Nick - December 6 - 10:23 pm

  I chucked a Dodge SLT Nitro with 5,000 miles, traded for the SE Xterra, what a beautiful unit! Smooth, fast, tight and functional. When I nurse it along, I can get 23 mpg @ 70 mph. Still under 500 miles, I bet it can do better. This Xterra is so superior.

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  My 370Z Car! - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By prefectos2 - December 6 - 2:33 pm

  Ive purchased a new Nissan 370Z in February and I havent had the time to drive it. It only has 400 miles, so I hopeful that I will be albe to enjoy it more in the near future. Ive owned the following "Z" Cars: 1970 240Z; 1976 280Z; 1990 300ZX; 2003 350Z, and now my new 370Z, which in my opinion, is by far the best of all the previous Z Cars that I have owned. Having said that, there are some items that Nissan must serious consider adding to the 370Z. The cars engine must have an engine oil cooler, because it cant handle any extremely hot weather without loosing a large amount of engine power, dut to the oil temperature getting to HOT!

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  Good truck - 2017 Nissan Armada
  By sam - December 6 - 8:49 am

  gas consumption but if you compare it to land cruiser , infinity q80, Tahoe premium 2017 they all do. 30k less than land cruiser, 20 to 25k less than infinity and about 12k less than Tahoe premium. So if you spend 1k more yearly on gas it does worth it. After all I will use it 2 years before I sell it the same price in Africa, I really love this truck.

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  Great car! - 1999 Nissan Sentra
  By Jearbear - December 6 - 4:10 am

  I have maintained this car through out the last 7 years, it is in good shape and runs great. I really enjoy driving it. I plan on buying my 6th sentra when I am finished with this one. There have been NO wrecks in the car and I drove it off the lot w/12 miles on it. Six of those miles, were test driven by me.

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  GET THE MAX - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By LUIS VELEZ - December 6 - 3:56 am

  I bought the 05 having owned a 92 which was given to me, then passed to my cousin, and still performs well under my sisters ownership. The 2005 has classic maxima torque and acceleration. The maxima will accelerate as fast as you can put your foot down on the pedal. It corners and responds well. The exterior design turns heads. There is limited visibility out the back window and the controls on the steering wheel should have been illuminated for night driving. Otherwise im very happy with it. Its the most fun car to drive that ive had yet.

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  Just 2 weeks old now - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By GF - December 5 - 11:46 am

  This is our 2nd (yes 2nd) 2010 Rouge! Bought my wife hers Dec 09 and got mine 2 weeks ago. I drive 35 miles to work (one way) and am currently getting 25.3 mpg - Love the AWD grip and coming from an 06 Altima I can really notice the difference in road noise (being less in the Rogue) even with the stock tires. The Rogue is solid / firm and gives the feeling that you are in control. Tons of power - if you want a 6 cyl, i say buy the Murano. With the known Nissan reliability, I am confident of worry free driving in a great car for years.

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  my family car - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By t-bpne - December 5 - 10:00 am

  this car drives great and has lots of creature comforts, like rear heating , air conditioning, and a power sunroof