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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  Great Truck - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JeepSucks - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Replaced a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, there is no comparison. The Pathfinder rides and performs better than the Jeep and the reliability is no contest. I would recommend this truck to anyone. The ride is more like a Maxima than a truck.

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  Its a pretty good car - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Lex - April 6 - 5:36 pm

  Im a college student and I bought this car because it was cheap, cute, and great on gas. It really hasnt let me down. Ive had it for about a year now and have put over 9000 miles on it (Im a commuter). My friends dont mind driving with me because of all the space and leg room. Its tiny and easy to park - it only takes up about half the parking space! Overall, besides a few things, Im content with the Versa.

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  Love my Versa so far# - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By adrianne phillips - April 6 - 12:29 pm

  I recently purchased my 2008 Nissan Versa SL. So far I love it. The acceleration is adequate and cvt shifts smoothly. Just had to fix a broken low tire pressurs sensor, but my mechanic checked it over and it was in great shape.

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  Very Happy - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By SimLex - April 5 - 6:26 pm

  Ive only had my Rogue for a week now, but am very happy. I traded an 04 Jeep Liberty. Great, smooth ride, although the CVT is taking some getting used to. Lots of bells and whistles that are nice. Interior is nice and roomy enough. Drivers seat is very comfortable with many options for adjusting the seat position, lumbar, etc. Gas mileage on my first tank was almost 25 mpg. Was hoping for more, but maybe that will improve once its broken in. It handles very, very well. Its very stylish and I feel like Im driving a super expensive car!

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  2007 crew cab review - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By sdhk - April 5 - 1:40 pm

  Wanted a four door pickup to get me to work, pick up groceries and occasionally haul a couple of 2x4s or a couple to dinner. Truck is too big and overpowered for my needs, but a compromise and the best overall choice for me compared to a Tacoma, Canyon, Sport Trac. Lots of minor irritations in the interior design, but the Nissan reputation for reliability was a big selling point for me.

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  Love It! - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Pam - April 5 - 12:33 pm

  I hadnt had a new car in 8 years and was replacing a 2000 Impala. The alloy orange color won me over and I wasnt happy until I had one. Im not thrilled with the black interior as it seems to always look dirty. Medium colors hide the dirt better. I was hearing a gurgle sound and stopped in to have it checked out at the dealership. I was more than surprised to find out that the CVT has to be replaced as it is slipping. Not something you want to hear with only 4000 miles on the vehicle. I took the car on a 700 miles trip (one way) last weekend and was thrilled with the long term comfort of the vehicle. I do wish it had automatic lights. Overall a great car

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  Very nice truck - 2008 Nissan Armada
  By ken - April 5 - 11:06 am

  This purchase has been a very good one for me. It feels so cozy inside while driving that I dont feel like getting out. The drive is nice b/c of comfortable leg room and elbow room. Gas is good while traveling, but not in the city. Im still glad I purchased one. For a big vehicle I dont have any blind spots b/c of the design of the vehicle and big mirrors. Trust me you will enjoy the power the beast has.

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  Id rather take the bus! - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By Mrs. S - April 5 - 5:23 am

  Leased this crossover last June. Has only 6K miles on it and I have 2 years left on lease. I HATE this auto!!! I hated it after only 1 month! You take your life in your hands when you change lanes in heavy traffic! This car has many blindspots! No pickup whatsoever!!!Takes forever for the car to get warm/cold! Sounds like an angry mosquito when you accelerate! I tell the kids to "lean foward" when I am getting onto the highway...Already have had 2 serious recalls. Now I have an "service engine soon" light that wont go off. I am sure its a gas cap issue, but I cant take a day off to waste waiting around at the dealership! Dont even Sit in this car!Paid top $$$ for this DUD!

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  Sports Crossover - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Nick - April 4 - 9:43 pm

  Great fun to drive, power surges from the engine, seats are excellent and really cushion one, it is perfect for someone wanting more room than the RAV4, Escape CX7 but not the bigger SUVs. 18 inch wheels are a bit too big somehow. The Touring package makes it a really smart car. Mine is sunset red with black leather interior. No its not a household removal truck, more a Maxima on stilts. I traded my BMW 530i for this so expectations were high !

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  Got Juked on MPG RATINGS - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By fbjbadjuke - April 4 - 1:12 pm

  We have had this car since March 1. The MPG is only averaging 18.5 MPG with 90% of our driving on the freeway. In town we get 13-15 MPG and the best we have ever gotten was 24.63 MPG in Economy mode 100% Freeway Trip. This car has had electrical problems where the radio goes off & the car dies/ wont restart and had to get a jump to get going again. (This has happen twice.) The dealer cant get any better MPG as we left it with them for a week. They couldnt find the electrical problem either. Economy mode is dangerous if crossing traffic and is not recommended by this motorist. I have owned other Nissan products but this JUKE is a JOKE. Dont by this car if economy is a concern!!