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:

• 

  Awesome Ride - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By MingoMan2 - September 28 - 7:13 pm

  I just bought my Altima 2 weeks ago and I have to say that this is an awesome ride - literally. I really like the smoothness of the transmission - you cant even feel the shift. Interior is nice and comfortable. Exterior is sleek and looks expensive. Trunk area is very open and provide lots of room. Keyless entry and ignition - AWESOME! I would recommend this car to anybody in a second.

• 

  WHAT A GREAT TRUCK!!!! - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Miguel - September 28 - 5:33 pm

  I got this truck with the 6 spd manual and is a blast to drive! 0-60 takes about 2 seconds less than my 2003 Frontier I traded in. The seats are great, better than 2003. I liked my 3-gauge cluster from 2003 better, though, but the interior is mainly better. Front end in a little ugly from certain angles. Also the backseat is a major improvement from previous models. Over all this truck, is the best truck truck Ive owned.(Ive owned all Nissans:1982,1993,2003, and now 2005.)

• 

  DONT IT - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By notonissan1 - September 28 - 8:19 am

  March 2005, I purchased my first Nissan. Faithfully maintained. Over a year and over 3K later my mechanic gave up and said take it to Nissan - 3rd cylinder misfire. How can so many owners have the same problem and Nissan doesnt recall it? NO MORE NISSANS for me.

• 

  Re: Back to the drawing board - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By soccermom - September 28 - 7:10 am

  My husband and I purchased a 2004 Quest sl after owning a 2001 odyssey that had its fair share of problems as well, and they were major problems as well transmission. Honda was much better at standing behind thier vehicle. Our quest has had doors checked three times, starter replaced after fighting the dealership after it broke while I was christmas shopping (we had to pay the tow bill Nissan was to refund the money it still hasn`t been done!), And materials in the interior are begining to fall apart the moldings in the rear doors, the heating ventin the passenger`s side in the front, and the engine having problems shifting as it starts out in lower gear.

• 

  Great car - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By bob496 - September 28 - 5:51 am

  I bought a new 2013 with all the packages and really like this car. They really engineered the 2013 to meet and beat the Camry, which was the other car I looked at buying. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great driving and has 38 MPG so fill ups are a lot less than my F150. The only thing I found was a little pain is the steering it is very tight and you have get used to it I guess.

• 

  CVT Sucks! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By alan106 - September 28 - 2:19 am

  Ive been driving my 2013 Altima SV for 6 months. I regret having purchased this car. I should have bought a Camry. The CVT transmission is defective by design. While cruising at highway speeds and attepting to maintain a specific speed, the transmission at about 1800-2000 rpm, will begin to vibrate at a low rumble....which is not only audible but felt. At any speed, engine noise is NOT what you expect in a family sedan. Wind noise, with closed windows, is inexusable. The whine from the power steering is only a problem when you start the car. Once running its inaudible. On the positive side: the car has great acceleration, breaks,exterior design. The car feels solid and has good gas milage

• 

  Sweet Ride! - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By aaa111 - September 27 - 4:16 pm

  You should be able to get 6 to 7K off MSRP on the 2010 Maxima. I have seen this offered at several different dealers in Central Florida. I just picked up a Sport / Tech ($39080 MSRP) on a lease deal. $0 out of pocket with tax included on a 39-month, 12K per year lease: $450 per month. I know I got an excellent deal because 3 other dealers in the area couldnt do it. Got the crimson black. It is sweet - looks like "black cherry" - appears black but is a deep red when sunlight shines on it. I love the car. I had the previous model and this car is a tremendous upgrade in every respect. The increase in power is substantial and the ride and operation are much smoother.

• 

  09 rogue sl awd - 2009 Nissan Rogue
  By Keryn Lazar - September 27 - 12:45 pm

  We bought a rogue as first new car in 09. Car has had zero issues in 5 years other than routine maintenance.

• 

  350Z Performance/Cost - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By kevinkreie - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This car is Fast, Fast, Fast and quite easy to control. You cannot buy more car for the dollar. Nissan has really done a great job at putting an affordable, quality built vehicle together. If this car is ever supercharged or turbo charged it would be unbelievably fast.

• 

  fun by far - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Bs - September 26 - 10:00 am

  i think this is one of the best sports cars on the market! i have purchased several different makes and models and the Z is by far one of the best i ever drove. the only downfall is that there is no t-tops on the model i have.