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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  Nifty car with many luxury features one weakness - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Randolph Selig - November 1 - 3:39 pm

  If the fuel pump has not already been replaced, it may have to be. Its an expensive job. This is a known vice in this model yet Nissan has not issued a TSB. Another frequent repair is the muffler or precisely the muffler flange. It will rust, requiring a new muffler be installed. That aside, this is a great small car: well designed with plenty of interior space, comfortable back seat, good brakes (though there is no abs) and steering, smooth shifting 4-speed automatic trans, adequate power and pickup though the smooth idling engine gets noisy under hard acceleration. It runs just fine on regular unleaded fuel. The ride is about average for a shortish wheelbase car. Unfortunately there are only warning lights for engine temperature and amps. The sharply sloping hood is hard to see the end of nor can a driver of average height see where the car ends in the rear, both of which can complicate parking. It always appears you are closer to the car in front than you actually are. The model I purchased has power windows and door locks and a keyless entry though to start the car the coded key is needed.

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  Fuel Injectors - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By suzannaharati - November 1 - 3:33 pm

  I have gotten into 5 different wrecks in the past year and most if not all having to do with my blind spots on the left and right sides of the vehicle. I have noticed that the head rest cushioning has already started to come undone and also the lining to my back right window is coming undone which is letting water seep through. The biggest thing though is that just recently I found myself stranded at 3 in the morning with my car not wanting to crank. After getting it towed, the mechanic informed me that it was my fuel injectors flooding my engine. He said it was a flaw due to the manufacturing and would not be surprised if I would need to do it again in 40,000 miles. That job cost me $325.

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  great drive/poor gas mileage - 1999 Nissan Pathfinder
  By smartymarty - November 1 - 2:00 am

  suv is solid,tight after 150k miles.drives as new.mileage is 16 no matter how fast or where I go. It pulls my 20 cobia boat adaquately. It needs more horsepower.

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  a good compromise - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By skippys - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Good compromises: its spirited yet soft and peppy yet docile. Backseat and trunk more useable than some of its competitors. Engine pulls hard and sounds good throughout most of its range although top end thrust is lacking. Auto has a hard 1-2 shift when cold. I found the steering wheel more comfortable/responsive than others. Interior looks great although there are a couple of rattles/squeaks (easily fixable, but still). Overall Im pleased and wouldnt be considerably happier (for what I was willing to spend) without two different cars. It can either comfortably haul around four people or I can play.

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  Best Bang For The Buck..And Then Some! - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Josh Smith - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car about a week ago, and all I have to say is "Where have you been all my life". I have owned many sports cars from 300zxs to Mustangs. This by far is the most fun to drive car I have ever driven! I would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for heart stopping fun from idle to redline....and beyond.

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  Great Toy - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By M. Swan - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I read the reviews. I did my research. I found one on the internet. Without even a test drive, I bought it and the dealership drove it down to me (4hrs one way). If you want a small truck that has the OMMPH, here ya go. If you expect to get 20+MPG.. dont buy this truck. It is a PERFORMACE vehicle. Fun to drive and no major issues so far.

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  Altima Gas Mileage - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Richard Swig - November 1 - 2:00 am

  The 2004 Altima looks great and handles well, like several other Japanese sedans. However, mine doesnt measure up in the gas mileage department. Since I live six miles out of town and have only one (1) stop sign and one (1) light between my location and the mall, Ive previously experienced very high mileage, above the advertised highway figure. This 2004 Altima has been getting (1300 miles since new) only 22-24 mpg, right at the low end of the rating (23city, 29 highway). Its unacceptable.

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  Truly Top of the Line - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Nissan Buyer 20500 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Compared Altima to Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Toyota and Camry. This beauty outclassed them all value-wise. This car is fully loaded for less than an equivalent Accord base (pre-option) price. A 4-cyl with enough power to pull you back in your seat. Some Edmnds reviews say it steers badly--thats torque steering. The engine pulls so well that accelerating while turning will "assist" the driver with a pull on the wheel. After a week, you know how to handle it.

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  Best Value out there - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By the real Brett - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I looked at all the 4 door compact trucks and found when comparing what you get for your money this truck was an all out winner. The closest competitor was the Toyota, but to comparibly equip the Toyota to what I got in the Nissan, I would have had to pay THOUSANDS more. On top of that, the Nissan has a nicer interior, standard equipment and options that arent even available on the Toyota, a better and MUCH quiter ride, and a longer, more usable bed.

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  FUN! FUN! FUN! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By woodlander - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I did not think driving could be so much fun. When I drive the Z, my heart starts pounding and my adrenaline gets pumping at stop lights in anticipation of the quick and smooth acceleration. I get that same rush on winding roads. I would recommend this car to anyone who appreciates style and performance at a reasonable price.