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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  murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By rothputin - September 25 - 2:50 pm

  Cant tell if its a car or an SUV. Its whatever you want it to be. Great zip and handling on the road, but you can still climb a curb if you have to.

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  Very happy Altima owner - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By tonygio - September 24 - 11:26 am

  I looked at the Accord and the Camry to measure up against the Altima. I believe all three of those cars are comparable. The main selling point to go with the Altima was the look of the car. I have received many compliments on the car that I do not believe I would receive had I bought either of the other two cars. Aside from the looks, this car has been fantastic. The fuel economy has been amazing, do not believe any review that tells you otherwise. The handling and the comfort of the Altima has met and exceeded our expectations. Nissan has done a fantastic job with this car and we couldnt be happier with a purchase. Kudos Nissan, great job! You have earned a long time customer.

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  Plenty of truck - 2010 Nissan Titan
  By mark - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I am very impressed and pleased after the first 500 miles of driving this truck. It has a nice smooth ride, has plenty of power, and a comfortable, spacious cabin. My previous truck was a 2006 Chevy Silverado Z-71, and thus far I prefer the Titan. Before buying, I test drove the new F 150, Tundra, and the 2010 Silverado. I stopped looking after driving the Titan. It is averaging slightly over 17 mpg on the highway, which is acceptable for a new truck, and considering the power that this truck has. The SE package has all the features that I want, and is a sharp looking truck. If you want a nice, capable truck, I suggest to anyone that they give the Titan a look.

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  2010 Nissan Versa S HB - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By splash1701d - September 24 - 10:00 am

  During my last vacation, I rented a car that turned out to be a 2010 Nissan Versa S HB. I loved it so much, when I got back home, I went and bought one!

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  Tire pressure monitoring/front bumper - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By Steve - September 24 - 10:00 am

  All of the good things you have read about the Nissan Versa are true. Unfortunately, the front bumper cover is too low to the ground and the clips that hold the cover on are too fragile. Half my clips broke within the first month of driving, the cover bottoms-out exiting driveways of all kinds. The impact causes the too fragile clips that hold it on to the car to break. The cover is now held on with epoxy and aquarium glue. The Nissan Versa also has a multi-year history of faulty tire pressure monitoring systems and this has not been fixed for 2010. Dealerships have no fix for this since the problem apparently is the result of poor engineering and manufacturing of the air valve stems.

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  Scary start of owning a new car - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By fun2driveguy - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Well, the car itself seem to be great, that is until after only 104 miles, I get a check engine light. Yes that right the car has 104 miles on the ticker and we already are experiencing issues. After my "man check" of all fluids etc. I find there is almost no oil in the car. Dont they fill this up at the factory! Either way the nice people at the dealer have taken my new car and I am now stuck w/ versa for the weekend. What a great start. Other than that the awd version is a much smoother driver than the fwd. If you have the choice go awd.

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  Rides Like a Dream and Cheap at the Pump - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By Mister Digger - September 24 - 10:00 am

  Its now only one week old and I already have 1100 miles on it. Everything about this car has exceeded my wildest expectations, and it took me three months to decide. I needed something larger and more comfortable than my 2009 Elantra Touring without sacrificing much fuel economy or my beloved iPod interface. Well, the fuel economy is even BETTER (27-31 MPG on the highway without poking along), the ride almost feels like a Lincoln Navigator, the road noise is very little (just enough to provide feedback), and the touch screen iPod interface and stereo system is even better than the Hyundai. The back up camera works in reverse gear and is also a great feature. So is the trip computer.

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  Best of the rest - 2011 Nissan Rogue
  By harry - September 24 - 10:00 am

  First I am 6 ft 2 inches and fit comfortably in this vehicle, the steering wheel is great and fits in the hand perfect. I also have a Buick enclave at 48k it costs 20k more but the Nissan is the car I drive every day. The nav is fantastic, response is precise and exact. While the enclave is my luxurious ride I must say I wished I saved the 20k and bought two of these. This is the best all around car in its class and a deal for the price.

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  Still the king - 2008 Nissan Maxima
  By Topper - September 23 - 11:43 am

  Every 2-3 years I trade my vehicles in. So far out of the last 6 vehicles I have owed, 3 have been Maximas (and for good reason). The first one I bought was a 93 that I loved. I traded it for a new V6 Honda Accord that I drove for 2 years missing my Maxima daily. 97 I finally traded the Accord back in for a new Maxima that I loved. Back and forth, back and forth, you get the idea! Maxima has always been a true sign of style and class which has never meet an equal w/in its price range. With its quick speed, smooth ride, and stylish looks, the Nissan Maxima will always remain my favorite vehicle to own in any price range. Thank you Nissan!!

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  Disappointed - 2002 Nissan Frontier
  By jratzloff - September 23 - 9:50 am

  I bought the Desert Runner (100,000 miles) after owning a 97 Dodge. The heater core had to be replaced ($700), the heater controls on the dash were "stripped" out and did not work properly($250), and the air distribution box under the dash still needs to be replaced, but I wont do that for a while, if ever. Ive had many small trucks, but none rode as rough as this one. I have replaced the shocks and will change tires soon. On a smooth road, it is great, but on a rough road, wow!. Steering wheel blocks the dash instruments (I am 63"). Truck looks great and has enough room inside for me, but I am really disappointed in the mechanical aspects of the truck, specially for a Nissan.