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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  Power needs RWD or AWD - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By jolros - August 11 - 8:33 pm

  Ive owned the basic, basic Maxima a year now. Great power. Need to merge on the freeway? no problem itll suck everyone to the seat. Any pothole or uneven surface though will pull the car in the direction youre steering with the torque. I didnt get the 19" rims and regret it. It doesnt handle like my IS250, but will smoke it at any speed. Needs AWD or RWD, but nice and roomy, where my IS250 has a huge bump for the drive train. Get the high intensity lights too, I cant tell if my lights are on. I wish this car had half the turning radius of my IS250 which can u-turn in like 1 lane vs. 3 lanes for the Maxima. All in all, very pleased. 0-60 in 6.2sec by just mashing the gas. Its fun.

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  2011 Nissan 3.5SR coupe - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By rng4 - August 11 - 4:57 pm

  We traded-in a 2008 Coupe 2.5S for this 3.5SR. Coupe. The 2008 was a great car , with great mileage, reasonable acceleration for a 4 cyl and very comfortable on trips for 2 people. The 2011 appears to share the same characteristics as the 2008, however appears to have a glossier paint job than the 2008, backup camera is standard and quality is just as good or better. 3.5 liter is quiet, smoother and quicker than the 2.5 liter. This probably as close to the infinity (M37) that I can afford.

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  Great Car - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By irish27 - August 11 - 11:06 am

  Very enjoyable car to drive. Quick, corners well, Premium Package adds lots of luxury touches. Looks amazing and you do not see thousands of them on the road. I cannot believe Edmunds likes the Accord Coupe better, my family and I saw one the other day and nobody liked the looks of it at all.

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  Awesome machine - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By Tom - August 11 - 6:53 am

  This has to be one of the best cars out there! Its quick, comfortable, and very very nice looking. Awesome car and not expensive

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  Just bought - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By g_dearing - August 10 - 9:13 pm

  I just bought a used 2002 Xterra and I love it. I traded in my 99 Jeep Sahara, and although I miss the open top, the feel and look makes me miss the jeep a little less. It certainly drives smoother, and the stick is easier to manage. Factory sounds system is a heck of a lot better too.

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  Fun SUV - 2001 Nissan Pathfinder
  By John C. - August 10 - 7:13 am

  I traded in my silverado for an older SUV that I could beat up in the wood line and still look good on the street. The pathfinder exceeded my expectations. w/o a lift kit, I have taken it on some challenging SC trails should I say treeless spaces. The smaller size helps me squeeze up and down the small trails on local hills. Assent and desent angels are great for scalling over things and she can get sideways pretty well too; but I wont push too hard until I get a lift kit and a wench. Plenty of power at the stop light, from a roll, and on the highway pass. I get a scare now and then about rolling over; but otherwize runs and handles like a champ. Comfortable w/quality materials inside.

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  awesome ride - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By puttzz - August 10 - 3:40 am

  this vehicle is a great family suv,it has lots of room for the kids an my tall husband.its very comfortable to drive.it has great get up an go. the armada is a great looking vehicle inside an out. its one of the most comfortable vehicles i have ever owned.

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  Not too happy!!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Anita Love - August 9 - 12:46 pm

  We are a family of 5. We purchased our Quest a year ago. We have been in and out of the dealership about 8 times. What an inconvenience when you have children. It started out with a bad leather installation. Next came the recalls. Now its the engine and bad connections between lights,door,and alarm. When ever we think something is fixed,and leave the lot something else goes wrong. A direct quote from the dealership "we only sell them we dont make them" and after talking to the service manager he said "would I ever buy a Quest? No Way!" So thats our experience. Good luck to the rest of you. My advice "dont do it" look around.

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  Not too happy!!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Anita Love - August 9 - 5:33 am

  We are a family of 5. We purchased our Quest a year ago. We have been in and out of the dealership about 8 times. What an inconvenience when you have children. It started out with a bad leather installation. Next came the recalls. Now its the engine and bad connections between lights,door,and alarm. When ever we think something is fixed,and leave the lot something else goes wrong. A direct quote from the dealership "we only sell them we dont make them" and after talking to the service manager he said "would I ever buy a Quest? No Way!" So thats our experience. Good luck to the rest of you. My advice "dont do it" look around.

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  Dont ever buy this car - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By theresamon - August 9 - 12:20 am

  I own 2004 Maxima. Worst car on road. Bad struts, bad brakes. Makes clunking noises. Nissan USA has denied any problems with this car, but I have been plagued by many. Will never again by a Nissan vehicle. I think they will be facing worse problems than Toyota is currently facing. They are denying brake problems, but I guess after I get killed when mine fail theyll listen.