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:

• 

  Great Vehicle but need some Updates - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By pprince - July 28 - 1:02 am

  Ive a 2013 Nissan SV which is a great vehicle and i love it. I wasnt a fan of Nissan vehicle but the new design gave me a push in buying it and also giving it a surprise gift to my lovely mom. The vehicle is fun to drive, with its great interior features and liability. Everything is top of class for its own level compared to other vehicle such as Honda, Toyota. Despite that, i think a few things needs to be made such as the Brake Light System & Air Bag System. The Air Bag System is finally fixed & im glad the dealership saw that i wasnt creating stuff up. Next fixing should be the Brake Light System because Ive changed my Nissan 3 times. Other than that, vehicle is Awesome.

• 

  Loved it until the fifth year - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Lori - July 27 - 3:40 pm

  I loved this car until the fifth year. The driver side seat broke and muffler system, and now steering column. It is starting to cost money but it still looks brand new.

• 

  Love It - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By PathfinderOWNER - July 27 - 7:00 am

  I love my new Pathfinder. I just bought a 05 LE. The only things I hate about it is it sways in the wind and the doors do not automatically lock once it is put into Drive. My gas door always opens by itself if I dont lock the doors. I am taking it back to the Dealership tomorrow.

• 

  Good so far - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By JOEL - July 26 - 11:10 am

  1500 miles to be exact, just arrived from vegas for a break-in trip for my versa SL HB, Im enjoying the ride. No problems so far... Lovin my ride!!!

• 

  Driving the Nismo - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By John E. - July 25 - 9:40 pm

  I have owned my 2007 Frontier Nismo for a month now (purchased used). Fuel mileage is steady around 18mpg city. I have yet to take it on a trip along highways. It is a bit rougher ride than my neighbors 2006 Frontier XE due to the Nismo package. I would like to have his fuel economy but the towing capacity of mine will be handy with a boat and camper. The ride would be better with different tires. The electronic locking rear differential comes in handy when pulling a boat out of the water at the boat launch. Overall I would give this truck a well deserved A rating.

• 

  "Going through a transition" - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By canteengreen - July 24 - 11:43 am

  Going from a front wheel drive, 5-manual, german sedan to the Pathfinder was quite a leap for me. So far, this vehicle has made the transition as painless as possible. Im enjoying it so much that I took off a few days of work, just to spend some time on the road. Unfortunately, its been raining the whole time!

• 

  Great Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Pari - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Previous owner of a 2000 Chevy Silverado LT. Two weeks ago, we purchased a Titan LE with Big Tow and Off-Road Package w/ Leather about two weeks ago from a local dealership for $34,000 even. IMHO, this truck rides much better.

• 

  That engine... the only reason I bought it. - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By booth1986 - July 22 - 8:35 am

  The engine in this thing ... dayyum! It was a very fast car! It was also superbly comfortable on long drives, and did surprisingly well on gas. I bought this used for a really good price. I was disappointed however in the transmission failures and overall build quality. The car was in good shape but felt like it was 10 years older than it was.

• 

  stuck in the middle again - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By PhilG - July 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the best riding of all mid? size SUVs. Handles fair, plenty of power, and very comfortable seating. Short on luggage capacity, and light on build quality, it is nonetheless the best of a dying breed of 5 passenger (really 4) SUVs. Transmission and window operation are its biggest quirks. The Automatic likes to upshift at inapropriat times and in my estimation is dangerous.

• 

  2009 Murano - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Lillie - July 21 - 5:46 am

  I noticed in some old entries that Wind noise was a problem at 50 MPH and up.Coming from the left side windows and doors.At the bottom of the steering wheel, the extra piece is really not needed.The seat belt is too close to the seat,on the drivers and passengers side hard to lock. Something needs to be done to the wind noise..........