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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  Fuel Economy SUCKS, but very reliable... - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By jaroot - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I like everything about this car except the fuel economy. I get about 22mpg city/24 hwy... which is about 5mpg less than what the factory sticker said I believe. Other than that.. I cannot complain, the car runs great, and starts with no issues when its -30 below zero outside which is awesome.

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  rough ride #2 - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By kenn i - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I love the exterior of the car and the bold styling. i enjoy the bose stereo with the 6 cd in dash. though i feel for an LE this truck should have better manners on the road. i recently took the truck into new york city and i felt going over bumps the truck did not take the bumps so well. you can feel the bumps way too much. i recently had a 2002 infiniti QX4 which just came off lease which drove much better than this armada. hopefully when the Q56 infiniti comes out it will have been built much better than the armada.

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  Love my Truck - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By GatorKane - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Overall, Ive been very happy with my truck. It rides and drives like a truck, a little slow to start, but passes without having to downshift. I have noticed that the ABS light has been on faintly since I got the truck, although dealer says it is fine - Ive been told "all of them are like that". Only other problem was the rear window started leaking during heavy rains due to a poor seal around the brake light on the cab.

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  had 3, but no more, EVER!!! - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By stevey_name - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Frontier. I had a 2000 Frontier that I had bought NEW and had a ton of problems with it. These trucks need to be made in Japan where the assembly process is much better! Anyway, I gave Nissan another chance when I bought a loaded up 2001 Frontier Crew Cab 4x4... I only had it for 3 months and it seemed ok?! Here I am in another Frontier, and it has problems galore. Radio went out already, raw gas smell under the truck that is undiagnosable and catalytic converter smells every few days. On top of that, now I have some electrical issues that who knows what itll cost. Im trading it and will absolutely NEVER buy a Nissan truck again.

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  Great Car - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By TomT - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Altima 3.5 SE for 7 months and have had zero problems. Its very quick. Turning radius is a bit too big, otherwise I have no complaints.

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  Small but Good - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Porkchop - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Good little car with a lot of standard features for its price (especially after $2500 cash back.) I love the power and the handling. Fun to drive. Easy to afford.

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  I was very happy with the Car - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By I liked it - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I loved the size of the Car (easy to park) could use tighter turn radius for its size. Ride, Performance and Quietness are perfect, although using the passing gear would create a slight burnt rubber smell and not a great sounding stereo system. Overall, though, I liked the car and Im thinking about buying one.

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  dream - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Drruth12 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This car rides like a dream , I love everything about it. The only problem Ive had was with the bose system, my dealer replaced it, and the new one has the same problem. Talking to friends and clients, I find that they have the same problem.

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  sweet ride - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By titanguy - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I did masive research on trucks and Im able to buy at or below invoice o on Fords and GMs and still wanted the Titan. Ricart ran an add for a SE KC w/popular pkg splach gaurds and the most expensive floor mats ever 22900.00 I drove as fast as possible to the dealer and bought.this is one sweet ride. I must say with all the dealers I went to there salesmen didnt know squate about this truck or what you could get for it.

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  KEEP TRYING NISSAN - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By ROBINIJ - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Power is good but if the engine is built with the same quality as the rest of the vehicle I worry about the reliabilty. Driving the Titan is good but certainly not exceptional. I was fortunate that my truck came complete with scuffed/damaged tires and a door ding, thus saving me the worry of my first parking lot injuries. At least the paint didnt have the big clearcoat sags I noticed in another Titan. The passenger door lock and the low pressure warning light are items to be fixed, but with the confidence I have in the dealership I think Ill suffer these problems until Nissan send the recall notice! Ill listen to the ratings next time.