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 Truck With Great Fuel Economy Too! - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Bubba - March 14 - 6:56 am

  I test drove the Tacoma before trying out the Frontier. I had no intention of purchasing a four banger, but after giving both the Tacoma and Frontier 4 cyls a shot, I wasnt let down at all. I like both trucks, but I picked up the Frontier for a couple of thousand less than a comparable Tacoma. Currently averaging 22+ MPG with mixed city/hiway driving and a lot of up and down RPM fluctuation while it is still in the break-in period.

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  2017 Nissan 370Z Nismo - 2017 Nissan 370Z
  By William Huff - March 14 - 2:01 am

  Awesome car! The car commands respect. Very fun Sports Car! You need this!

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  Pure excitement! - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By hollywudz - March 13 - 9:33 pm

  This car is the ultimate driving machine. All fun no worries sleak and hot look with yet a sophisticated and professional look. theres plenty of room tons of comfort with outstanding performance. By far the best car for all around price. Im in love with it!

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  Buy this SUV! - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Yinka Ajelabi - March 13 - 1:40 pm

  My wife and I got this car 5 months ago and we just love it! The exterior projects strength and confidence and the V6 270 horsepower engine sure backs it up. The interior is spacious and very well designed. the best part for is how well it handles in the city...really smoothly. You will definitely get THE bang for your buck, we definitely did.

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  Oil leaks, cvt, electrical issues. - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Bighog - March 13 - 7:06 am

  Have had same issues as other reviews.Hesitation at stop to start has gone away with last recall to replace air tube and clamps. fuel door lock replaced twice, after 2nd time I just broke the lock shaft off and left it at that. I now have oil leaking from oil cooler seal, oil sump pan gasket, and main oil pan gasket. Entire engine has to be removed from bottom of vehicle to repair these items. Parts cost approx. $70.00, labor is $1350.00. Will be replacing wheel seals while the engine is out also since axles have to come out anyway, $40.00 for parts only. Luckily no cvt issues, knock on wood.

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  Happy with my Sentra - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By AKC - March 13 - 12:43 am

  Good value for money. Happy with performance and anticpate resale value

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  Great Car - No Trouble - 1995 Nissan Pathfinder
  By presto - March 12 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great car - put 150K miles on it so far. The only problems I have had is: replace speedometer. Wish it was a little better on gas though.

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  200 Altima GXE - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By Dan06 - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Very Reliable basic car

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  I picked the Altima SL over Infiniti G35 - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Pedal Down - March 11 - 12:00 pm

  This car is awesome to drive. Im usually interested in the next class up in cars - saab, volvo, audi, infiniti, but for affordability and performance I had to have the new Altima. Its features beat out many of the Infiniti G35, which I was seriously looking at buying. With a family on the way, we needed something with a big backseat this has it. Its sporty styling is a great match for the sporty and responsive drive experience. I cant wait to get past the recommended 1200 mile break in period so I can drive this car like it want to be driven - FAST. Im proud to say Im a Nissan owner and love driving my Altima any chance I get. I also like there arent many of these on the road yet.

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  Nothing Better - 2010 Nissan Armada
  By Butch - March 11 - 11:23 am

  We shopped for the right SUV for over two years, looked at all of them. This vehicle provides the best of everything and ever-so-much of it too! Recognizing that were traveling in truly deluxe comfort with satelite guidance, Bose stereo, and a movie theater we consider the gas mileage to be excellent; would we accept better mileage? You bet, but this is what we expected. The agility and power of this big machine makes it well worth its price, all the goodies that come with it are iceing on the cake. I have always had buyers remorse after making such a big purchase, this time I dont. I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima with 230K + miles, Im expecting the same from this new Armada.