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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  Great little head turner! - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By cobra989 - August 27 - 11:00 pm

  I love this little car, I have owned several different cars and raced professionally and this car is the most race-like experience that I have found for under 25k. I didnt want a Honda/Acura because everyone has one, so the Spec V is the next best choice. I am glad I bought it, never had any regrets w/over 23k on it in 9 months. I have smiled with every mile Ive driven.

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  2008 Nissan Quest 3.5 SE - 2008 Nissan Quest
  By Jimbou - August 27 - 7:03 pm

  This car is excellent when it is new. VERY new. Because at 4 months, it is old yet. the interior sounds like if the car was 10 years old. Wind, rattle, vibrations. Customer support overlooks my problems with arrogance. Nothing abnormal, they say.

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  Versa versus others - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By Jon DeWaal - August 27 - 2:53 pm

  We spent quite a bit of time looking over the Toyota Corolla, and the Honda Civic. What impressed us most about the Versa was the smooth ride, quality, price, and the roominess. It had the others beat hands down. Having had the Versa for about a year, we are very happy owners of this delightful car. It is a fun car to drive.

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  Not what you pay for - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By rich - August 27 - 1:26 pm

  The sole purpose for us buying the car was dependability and gas mileage. In to months we have yet to get either. Brakes glazed in a month, they dont know why. Rotors turned now brakes act funny. Never got any better then 25 mpg on straight highway driving, sticker said 35 mpg.

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  Honest Review - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By NISSANDRIVER - August 27 - 3:00 am

  My Nissan Rogue is an excellent SUV AWD, the only issue I have is the backwindow is small, when looking through the rear window mirror, it is like looking through a porthole.You have to be extremely careful driving this car on the interstates, it is hard to see other cars and trucks when passing, and hard to back up since the view out the rearwindow is not good Otherwise I am very happy with my Rogue

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  Love this Car! - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Kenneth - August 27 - 12:13 am

  I have owned my Nissan Altima for a little over a year. Bought it new with the 2.5 for better gas mileage, but got all the extras included. I am glad I did. The car runs great and is so convenient. No problems to note. The ride is wonderful and fun to drive. With all the extras it often feels like a luxury car without the luxury price tag. And the gas mileage... are you kidding... it is awesome. On one vacation trip (driving mainly interstate) we averaged 36 mpg. And no we did not get the hybrid version.

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  not quite perfect or acceptable! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By kind of mad - August 26 - 10:16 pm

  exhaust sounds like my husbands 69 camaro. lots of interior rattles. upgraded radio has problems. scary towing a heavy boat. i would rather tow with my husbands gmc. backseat of king cab is not fullsize. but it has lots of power and rides nice.

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  Great mini-van thatll never regret!!! - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By Danny - August 26 - 4:10 pm

  I had been doing research for minivans for a year and my final conclusion is Nissan Quest. Why? because the dash board is designed in the center that helps me concentrate on the road. And good the best feature is middle sits can fold, unlike any other Japan made minivan. Imagine you need to put a 7 feet fridge, a ply wood w/ standard size 4x8, a big fish tank. Honda & Toyota couldnt do that. Unless you take the sits off. What a hassle.

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  gutsy family hauler - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By as - August 26 - 1:10 pm

  Approx. 2500 mi. driven on a 2005 SE-R bought used, mixed higway and city. This is a car that begs to be driven hard: self restraint is sometimes difficult to exercise. Performance is exciting, even if not exhilarating, much more than enough for the daily grind--you can have some serious fun on occasions. The car strikes a good balance between comfort and performance; but sure it is not a floaty luxury cruiser. Nobody complained about it, however, on an 800-mi highway ride with 4 adults. Creature comforts are OK, fairly simple except for the fancy bose sound and the leather seats that smell so nice. Overall, I got 25-26 mpg paying some attention to my driving, with some fun at times.

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  Weak on power until - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By theodore popee - August 26 - 11:56 am

  Weak on power untill I adjusted timing up, not so much it pings just before. Still 2.4 engine does not have the power 2.5 altima motor has This truck has style large hauling compasity jump seats behind passenger 24 mpg need to keep rpm up if you want speed steers a little hard with power steering for an old man with open heart,