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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  My 350z. - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By mid - November 13 - 5:50 pm

  This is the best car for $26,000. I dont regret my choice, and overall, the 350z is a great car.

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  2014 Nissan Versa - 2014 Nissan Versa
  By kidhppy - November 13 - 12:51 pm

  I bought a 2014 Nissan Versa. It is a no frills car, but excellent for the price. I have a manual 5 speed so no cvt transmission. I like this car alot. Very good on gas, i have no issues when driving. Needs a new radio and it only has 2 speakers. Overall I am very happy i bought this car.

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  Used Maxima - Good Experience - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By FredoinSF - November 13 - 7:16 am

  I bought the 2000 Nissan Maxima after being a loyal BMW follower for several years. So far I have not had any major issues. The car rides well, is very roomy, and very comfortable. I wish it handled as well as the BMW in the twisties and had a smoother and more direct shifting manual transmission though. Given the price that I paid for the Maxima, these are minor complaints. More concerning is the turning radius - I think a school bus cuts corners better. Nonethless, this is a great car for commuting and road trips. I would buy another Nissan product in a heartbeat . If I had to replace the Maxima today, I would have an Infiniti G35 in the garage. Its faster, handles better, and turns like a car instead of a truck.

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  Big mistake! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By Sheila W. - November 13 - 3:03 am

  Loved the car when I first got it. Had problems from the moment I drove it off the lot. Tire pressure light wont turn off, bluetooth is unusable, the car SHOCKS me evertime I get in or out of it, gas mileage is about 25 mpg freeway, not the 35 mpg that was promised. I have had to replace tires within the first 6 months. Dealership refuses to help with the shocking problem- claim my nose ring is causing the shock. Now the transmission slips while I am driving and I am terrified to go anywhere. I am a mom of 2 and do not treat the car harshly. Horrible horrible car. Save yourself a huge headache and choose another vehicle!

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  My first Maxima - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By The McGrath Clan - November 12 - 7:06 pm

  I had traded in my 01 Quest for this first time beauty. I am floored by its performance and handling. At first glance it is easy to mistake it for a heavy luxury car. Drive it once and put that myth to bed. It is practical for the family issue, yet youthful for some solo time. I actually wake up earlier than normal, ready to shred some much driven road. Cannot say enough what an absolute blast this car is to drive.

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  Hmm - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By snowfish - November 12 - 10:56 am

  Well I have had the car for about 2 months now. There are a lot of things I like and some I dont. I traded in a fullsize truck for this car, so getting used to the smallness off the interior, and the low ground clearance has been tough. Also the lack of comfort and the road noise. I live in Alaska so some of the roads arent smooth. I do however like the gas mileage. I am getting a little more than 550 mi. On a tank. Thats mixed. The interior fabric is cheap ultra suede. Cannot be cleaned! I dont like the cheap plastic interior. For the price it should be much nicer. Am not totally happy with the car and find myself wishing for something else.

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  Something not mentioned - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By driver - November 12 - 2:33 am

  The fuel economy is tied to the battery efficiency, and the battery efficiency is highly ambient temperature dependent. I found that below 35F I get 35 mpg as rated, worse if very cold. However above 70F I can do mid-40 mpg on the same commuting trip. My best record is ~49 mgp. That said, economically it becomes a gray area to get this hybrid if you live in a cold region and drives mostly highway, a plain Altima may come out more economical. Another thing is this car uses synthetic oil! It was such a sticker shock with my first oil change. Factor this extra cost in for a thorough car purchase evaluation.

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  great SUV - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By barry jobe - November 11 - 9:10 pm

  totally satisfied with power, comfort ,and performance. I just wish nissan built a 4 dr titan with an 8 ft bed. so, I could have a truck as good as my wifes SUV!

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  Loving the Murano - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By jaybird5050 - November 11 - 1:33 pm

  I needed a daily driver to haul kids around occasionally and to run errands (sports car wasnt quite up for all that). I compared to Acura RDX, Toyota Rav4, Highlander, Lexus RX330, and Honda Pilot. The Murano LE came out on top for following reasons: 1) Price was reasonable. 2) Smart Key... this is awesome. 3) Bluetooth 4) Navigation is terrific 5) BAckup camera. 6) iPod connection. 7) Stereo with LE is terrific. Driving is easy, I feel in control, handling is excellent.

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  fair - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By Bob Turner - November 11 - 1:17 pm