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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  Loud Exhaust is unwanted - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By jc7892 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I love everything about the truck except the fuel millage and the loud exhaust which is quite annoying

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  Very Happy Titan Owner - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Robert K - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I dont need to say more than this is what a pickup is all about...

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  We love this SUV! - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By MNH - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Great sturdy car. Lots of room for our dogs in the back. Great stereo system as well.

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  pure fun - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By gatorfan - January 21 - 10:00 am

  This is true head turner. Performance is second to none in this "class". Ive had many sports car and this one is the most fun to drive.

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  great car with one snag - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By chris stennett - January 21 - 10:00 am

  this is a beautiful car with a bit of european touch this is my first max and Im impressed as I usually buy BMWs, however there is one drawback the horsepower seem too high for a front wheel drive in other words if you should floor the pedal from a stopped position(eg a red light or highway on ramp without a mergge)youd better hold on with both hands because itll pull to the sides ,I think a rear wheel or four wheel drive would perfect handleing.other than that i would sell my BM and buy another.

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  The cream of the small car crop! - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By jon - January 20 - 10:46 pm

  This is by far the best of the small cars out there, unless youre an early 20-something boy racer (you need a Fit). Its longish wheelbase and suspension tuning means a GREAT ride around town, including over non-spinal-injuring bumps! Its really remarkable. The Fit gets all the kudos for handling, but the Versa is nimble with an insanely small turning radius. Tossable, but rides like a grown-up car. An interior for grown-ups as well, with fantastic fit-and-finish and a logical, high quality dash.

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  I love my Sentra! - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By jessbugg - January 20 - 7:26 pm

  I bought my Sentra used from a dealership in early 2010, it was originally a rental car so had a few extra miles on it. I have put over 40,000 miles on it mainly driving back and forth from TN to FL for school and I have never had any problems. Its a great car, gets good gas mileage on the highway and I have not had problems with an "uncomfortable ride" I only recently replaced my tires & brake pads but the car has 70,000+ miles on it now. Ive had no issues with the engine or anything under the hood, but I do get regular oil changes and maintenance checks since I do so much highway driving. Everyone always thinks my car is newer than an 08, I love it!

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  great vehicle - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By CAPTMAHI - January 20 - 11:40 am

  I bought this truck new and have not had a single problem. It has more then enough power. Living in Maine, driving in the snow is quite common. This truck shines in bad weather. Granted I maintain it perfectly. At 30,000 miles I did a complete trans service, rear end fluid and transfer case. I upgraded the already good brakes to ebc rotors and pads, a k&n air filter and regular oil changes. I changed the serpentine belt, did a coolant service. When my 4 Wheeling buddies get stuck they call me! This motors got plenty of torque. I also use dedicated snow and toyo summer tires which are great in the rain and dry. In 40,000 Ive had to change a brake lightbulb. Period. Id recommend it to anyone

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  So far so good - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By stealthtwinturbo - January 20 - 9:30 am

  We got this can in Nov 2004. So far no sig. problems. Weve had the steering wheel shake that everyone is complaining about, but it is tolerable. Performance is great. Should have a LSD or be AWD with as much power it has. If you shut off the TC, the car just smokes the tires! Lots-o-torque steer. Navigation is fun, but difficult to use. Sirius sat radio is alright, but we are used to an add on unit in the old car and this cars sat radio just does not compare to the features of the stand alone unit.

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  Eating Oil - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By coyote - January 20 - 6:46 am

  Purchased the car new in 2002, fun car to drive initially.6 speed gear box and acceleration can get you in trouble with law enforcement.I have owned car for 8 years and had little or no problems.Problems began at 120k, electric cooling fans out,power plug cig lighter quit working,car started making a clacking noise that sounded fatal.Car towed to shop, found low oil on stick , noise from lifters clattering due to electronic timing off and air in system due to low oil. Car maintained meticulously with Mobil 1 syn 5w30 reg change.Repaired and back to normal. Happened again same problem.Car eating oil, no smoke or serious leaking. Mechanic friend chk pcv, stuck on Saturn and ate oil.I have to ck