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:

• 

  I love this truck! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Randy - August 5 - 12:46 pm

  Almost 20,000 miles now. I leased this truck last May kind of as a birthday present to myself and have loved it ever since! It is my first truck, but I have driven many as I grew up on a farm. I love that it does have a more city look to it since I feel more like a city kid than a farm kid. My country inlaws joke about it coming from a cracker jack box, but quickly quiet down when they hear my engine roar as they eat my dust. My inlaws all have trucks, diesel dodges, v8 dodges, diesel fords, and my dad has a chevy duramax. My titan by far outperforms when it comes to sheer speed and handling. It also tows like a banshee for a v8. Hey dodge driver, do my taillights work? I LOVE THIS TRUCK!

• 

  The Boo-Mobile - 1996 Nissan Sentra
  By Boo-Mobile - August 1 - 4:43 pm

  I purchased this little car following Hurricane Katrina as my car was pretty trashed by the storm. I paid about $2500 for it and it was/is worth every penny. The car had about 11K when I got it. I just love my little car, its a 5 speed, its been very reliable and I havent had to invest much $ into it. just before X-Mas 08 I had to replace the valve cover gasket, then the car started driving weird, I thought I needed an alignment but it was the front axle. After fixing that issue the car runs like a charm. I am pretty sure I need a complete tune-up because I am not getting the mileage I should. I am VERY happy with this little car!

• 

  Great car with some cons - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By holly - July 31 - 5:50 am

  With over 10,000 miles on the car Im overall pleased with it. Before it hit 1,000 miles the check engine light went on (the bad one where you can only drive 45 mph) and I had to drive home 300 miles going 45 mph. Not too happy about that, but the problem was fixed- gas tank issue. Killed the new car feel. I have NEVER gotten over 31 MPG. Ive driven it on 400 mile FLAT high ways driving 55. Tires, pressure, gas, windows up or down it does not seem to budge. The inside scratches VERY easily inside. No matter how much I clean it, its pretty much dirtied inside from just a shoe touching the interior. The exterior it sturdy, but a shopping cart going super slow caused a small little dent.

• 

  Performance meets Daily Driver - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By JB - July 30 - 9:50 pm

  I was looking for a car with a good kick. Looked at both 2.5 and 3.5. Just do yourself the favor and get the 3.5. Smooth ride and it itches for you to floor it. After 8000 miles, no major problems. Easliy does the daily commute and equally able to handle a good run out on country roads. Being 65" its one of the biggest interiors avaiable in a sedan. It easily holds my 62" brother behind my seat. For those with a racing side, this car can be easily modified to get more speed and handling for this car.

• 

  would definitely buy again - 2006 Nissan Murano
  By JARTREK - July 30 - 3:03 pm

  very roomy inside, handles very well interior controls easy to navigate feels like driving a car great cargo space only getting 14 mpg but I do only city driving

• 

  New Block needs Old "chip" - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jay and Karen - July 28 - 9:46 pm

  Really like the truck, it handles mother nature pretty well. However someone needs to tell me how closely they "drafted" the test truck to claim 20mpg. Maybe a new programmable chip (like the ones available for Ford F- series diesels or other performance vehicles) is in order?!

• 

  good value - 2000 Nissan Sentra
  By gumby - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Looked at Toyota, Chevy, and Mazda before deciding on Nissan. Good value for the money. Great MPG. Car comes with all basics, cd, power locks, windows, mirrors. Sentra handles nicely and is peppy for a small car. Fit and finish pretty good also.

• 

  Lots of Power and Room - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By jomi - July 28 - 2:00 am

  This is a very good large SUV with a lot of safety features as well as the performance and nimbleness of a smaller vehicle. There are a few first year modle issues, but nothing that prevented me from buying.

• 

  Very reliable daily driver - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By Suge Knight - July 28 - 2:00 am

  This car was handed down to me after my dad purchased a 2004 Pathfinder. It is very reliable and gets a lot of looks from the girls! The engine has decent pick up and is the beats out every other car in its class in power for the 4 cylinder engine (Accord, Camry). I plan to buy another Altima when the 2005s are released.

• 

  love Z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By bobby007 - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Love the car, love the design, love the power, love the attention it gets. The exhaust sounds wonderful and I love the Bose.