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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  Second Frontier - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By Dayve - December 17 - 3:00 pm

  So far so good, about 16.1 MPG, but that is driving the speed limit, and trying to get good mileage. I wish they had left the gas tank on the passenger side, few cars have it there, never a line as the pump. Good build quality, really nice seats for cloth, like all the cup holders, and the small storage area under the back seat. Seats are comfortable, wish Nissan offered leather and auto seats with the Nismo.

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  I really like this car.... - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Kevin H - December 17 - 12:26 pm

  This car lives up to its reputation as a fast vehicle with lots of features. I am very happy I chose the SL model, as it has every option I was after (especially leather and sunroof). I traded in my 2000 Altima, and what a difference between the two cars!

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  The way to go - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Hey - December 17 - 11:30 am

  I brought my Max last month, and so far so good! It has lots of power, and a great market following. This is good because I plan on adding a cold air intake, y-pipe, catback exhaust,20inch rims and lowering springs to improve the handling...This should bring the HP close to 300.

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  WOW, We love our Nissan - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By Rich - December 16 - 12:03 pm

  What a great auto. Awesome power, great handling, and it looks so cool too!! Sport and luxury at a super value.

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  Dont compare to Camry & Accord - 2011 Nissan Maxima
  By uga91 - December 15 - 3:06 pm

  I recently bought a 2011 Maxima S and could not be happier with the car at the price I paid. I took the 0% NMAC financing, so I didnt get all the rebates; but, at about $26.5k, you have to compare this Maxima to cars like Acura TL and Lexus ES350. The 290HP, keyless ignition, all the safety features, the power seats, 6-disc changer and other features make this car very formidable against higher priced competitors. I know I dont have leather, but thats about all I dont have versus cars like that.

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  Fast, fun, and beautiful. - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By thaibxrusa - December 15 - 12:09 pm

  September, 2012, I was lucky enough to find a 2005 350Z with just 10,500 miles. I bought it from a retiree that garage kept it from day one. In 1.5 years Ive already added 20K miles because I want to drive it everywhere I go. It could be a little faster but with 300 horses, its hard to complain about. It also draws a lot of looks and I get compliments often. Mine is Daytona Blue and the color really pops. I did replace the Bose stereo but theres nothing else you can do to make this car any better. The gas mileage in the city isnt great, around 19mpg, but I took it on a 1,500 mile trip, all highway with the AC on, and got an average of 31mpg, believe it or not.

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  Very Happy With My Selection - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Unwind2 - December 15 - 5:43 am

  Bought the Sentra after looking at Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Carrola and Chevrolet Malibu. Im in my 50s so have owned several different makes, had a Nisson years ago that I kicked myself in the but for trading off. Ive been very happy with this Sentra. Some many things I like. Quiet ride, inteligent key...is real nice got spoiled to that in a hurry. I got the xm with fosgate stereo....awsome stereo.

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  My Sentra Rules! - 2007 Nissan Sentra
  By Poonhead - December 14 - 10:26 pm

  Ive had my Sentra for three weeks and have already put 1,500 miles on it. What a car! Its fuel efficiency overdelivers, if anything. I got 42 all the way to work today. It tends to perform best fuel-wise when youre going about 50-55 mph. I got the souped up version: sunroof, saddle colored leather seats, convenience package with bluetooth, trunk divider, CVT, etc. Its a pleasure to drive. I had a Saab 9-3 that was 7 year old and just completely falling apart with just 85,000 miles on it. I didnt even think Id be interested in a Sentra - went in to look at the hybrid Altima. But this car gets BETTER mileage than that hybrid, so whats the point? Buy a Sentra!

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  Love the Armada! - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Becca - December 14 - 9:13 pm

  We took a trip to CA over Memorial Weekend and was surprised we got 17.6 mpg driving on Interstate 40. We avg. around 14.5 mpg in our small town.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By MontanaMan - December 14 - 2:56 pm

  I have been looking for a nicer SUV that can handle all of the weather variations that Montana has to offer. I found it in a used Murano and purchased it a few hours later. I know that there are alot of people that wish to get better gas mileage with this vehicle. Given the size, I think that it gets as good of mileage as one can expect. I have family members with a toureg and they only get 15mpg in town. I am averaging 19 mpg. Great ride, sound accel. and no lurching during shifting. It is not a vehicle that I would take bajaing but it will take us to the ski mountains and almost anywhere else we need to go. In all it is everything that I could expect from an SUV but even more.