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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  Power oPlenty - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Southern Fried - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive and practical at the same time. Best bang for your money. If you are looking for a status symbol get an X5. If you are looking for something economical, practical and still fun to drive. I love mine.

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  A little trouble expected - 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
  By reviewer17 - November 16 - 12:06 pm

  With 2 kids now and carpooling I needed something with a third row. I love it because its not totally huge but the inside (even the third row) is very roomy. I especially like the second row folds forward even with car seat in it. We got the car in Dec of 2012. We got one of the first ones in our state and When we got there they were still cleaning it up and saw them taking stickers off some of the interior that said Infiniti on them. Yes this platinum addition has the interior of a luxury car/SUV . Now on performance. The car drives great!!!! I have had the car a year and a half and have over 10000. I have had zero issues except for the recall on airbag and brakes.

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  Couldnt Be Happier - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Jason - November 15 - 11:03 pm

  The reputation of Nissans engines are what drew me to the make. I originally set out for a Pathfinder, but after driving the Maxima about 2 inches, I was sold. The Maxima is the perfect blend of family sedan and sports feel/performance for me. I satisfy my familys needs without having to resort to a minivan or a pedestrian sedan. I love it.

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  Bang for the buck - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By J. Regier - November 15 - 9:40 am

  Best bang for the buck. I chose the SL over the Acura TL. The only things I gave up were better turning radius, blue tooth, and better cornering (I didnt get the vehicle stability system). However, low end torque is much better (watch the torque steer), and the amenities are much better as well. An example of this is the steering wheel audio control. Acura has the typical volume up/down, preset/track button. Nissan has a far more practical set-up w/ power on/off, mode (i.e. change btwn CD and the 18 presets), volume up/down and track up/down. Dont know why I need two subs, but the 320 watt Bose system rocks. Love auto-dim mirrors (three), ability to link seat/mirror set to keyfob.

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  2nd time around - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By daddyo - November 14 - 8:40 pm

  This is my second Titan, the first was a 2005 LE. I went to a 2007 Chevy Silverado, big mistake, what a piece of junk. I just swapped for a 2010 Titan LE loaded, way nicer in every aspect. As someone else said no buyer remorse. Add to that buiy at invoice and a $4,000.00 rebate, the rest are just also rans. FYI, my 2005 only went in for repairs once in 3 years and that was for a squeaky drivers seat which was fixed, dont even get me started on the Silverado, paint peeling, emblems falling off, dash rattles, the list goes on.

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  This car rocks - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Ed Coyle - November 14 - 1:36 am

  Most fun Ive ever had in a car with my clothes on. It handles superbly and accelerates off the line faster than anything thats ever tried to beat me at a red light. I love it. Cant beat the price.

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  Im buying another one - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By stlangie - November 13 - 7:50 pm

  I purchased my Sentra new in 11/2006. It was totaled 2 weeks ago when a Yukon T-boned my passenger side. Six airbags were deployed in my car, and I walked away with only a sprained wrist. The Yukon looked about as bad as my Sentra. I am absolutely amazed that I walked away and my Sentra held up as well as it did. Other than that, I loved how much room I had in the Sentra. I test drove the Corolla, Focus, Camry, and a few others when I bought it, and I was not disappointed with my purchase. My insurance just paid for my car today, and Ive decided to buy a 2009 Sentra tomorrow.

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  Best Truck I Ever Owned - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Midhudson - November 13 - 4:33 pm

  At 38K miles it looks and drives as it did the day I drove out of the dealerships parking lot. Added fog lamps. Wish I could get the NISMO crew cab with the 6-speed. I own the SE because they dont sell it that way. Nothings needed repair, ever. I just use 91 octane gas and it does anything I ask. That engine is amazing, and the trans is silky smooth.

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  the new Z - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By lou shap - November 12 - 6:40 pm

  The Nissan 350Z roadster is by far the best value of any $40,000 sports car on the market. The ride, performance and styling are something that you would expect in a car that would be $55,000 plus. I would reccomend this car to anyone who can afford it.

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  Small Mistakes, Are Big - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By Rey Vega - November 12 - 12:03 pm

  The windshield is a major small mistake. The wipers can not keep up with the snow and ice, plus they rip on icy windshield. The defroster is too small for the size of the windshield, and cannot keep the ice off. Also only the drivers side has a door key lock. This becomes a problem when there is a sheet of ice over the door, and only one door with a key lock. There is also a problem with all the door windows taking in water and/or ice and freezing, not to mention rusting from the inside out. Why are there metal air valve steams on the tires? They break! Other than that, mileage is not what is claimed.