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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  Best of the Compact 4-doors - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By jim_xeod - February 17 - 1:47 am

  I , like everyone else, deliberated over this or the Tacoma. Unlike most others, I have owned 6 different Toyotas throughout the years. This is no bash on Toyota, but the just do not make a model comparable to this one. I will explain: I was replacing a Limited 4Runner. Leather, sunroof, heated seats, power seats, ect. To get this from Toyota, you have to get a Tundra. No leather, sunroof, power or heated seats in the Tacoma. The Tundra is a great vehicle, but too large for my needs, and I only require a V6. All that was left was to test drive the Frontier SL. Wow. That sums it up.

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  Should have, could have - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By C Burns - February 16 - 2:43 pm

  I bought this car considering the reputation the company has yet was and still am disappointed in the workmanship as well as the issues off the lot. I continually have a squeaking belt, my front rotors are warped which is like a bad idea of ABS brakes. The interior is noisy, the sound system seems to be getting worst. The car fails to smoothly shift between first and second gear and it is real easy to hit the shifter out of gear while going (automatic). And what is with my window always fogging up?

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  2005 350Z-Touring-automatic - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By peg - February 16 - 9:13 am

  Comparing the price of all other sport cars, the 350Z is the best bang for your buck!! The "get up and go" of this sports car is thrilling. The 350Zs body style is a head turner. I love it!!!!

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  Pretty good car - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By IGGYPOPPER - February 14 - 11:30 pm

  Lease since Sept 2007. Car is good, roomy enough, no arm rest which was terrible, had to buy one online. No power at all though, put foot completely down on pedal with the AC on, has no pickup at all. Must be careful passing people, make sure you have 50 free car lengths before you do. But car is dependable so far, stereo ok, look is cute, rides good.

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  Pretty satisfied with my first car - 1997 Nissan Altima
  By Enoch - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Good used car for a student. As reliable as Honda and Toyota but costs you much less. It had 108K when I bought it 3 1/2 months ago. Engine and transmission are running great so far.

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  Pathfinder Review - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Silvio - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Reliable, except @ 150,000km Radiator blew. Great looking truck, comfortable to drive. Not very smooth. It does not have very much power/pick-up and go because it is not the 3.5L.

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  The best car for the money - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Tamer - February 13 - 10:00 am

  good looks , great performance , very reliable .

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  X-terra - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Kunal Ghosh - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Smooth ride. Sun-roof a little noisy

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  Great car! - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By NewMaxOwner - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Just finished putting 1100 miles on my new Max. I traded in a 1998 Audi A4. Though not as nimble due to the lack of independent rear suspension, the Maxima is a fun car to drive with plenty of power and decent handling. How can you go wrong with a 255 hp car that can smoke most other vehicles on the road, yet carry a family of four comfortably? Plus youll get a great deal on a 03 model now that they are trying to push the 04s.

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  The most features in its class - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By CarDude - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love the features provided with this vehicle (165 hp/ABS/Side Air Bag/4 wheel disc brakes/alloy rims/audio package/cruise control on steering/...) the most in its class. The car is very quick with good low-end torque. Took a while to get used to steering wheel stiffness; wish it was stiffer at higher speeds. Good interior design (I disagree with many car reviews). If the car hood had more character then the exterior design with the tail fin is better than the competitions. I wish this car had the SE-R sports-tuned suspension. Major complaints: uncomfortable seats, too much noise entering the vehicle at highway speeds.