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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  I love this car - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Rainman - August 6 - 2:43 am

  I leased my black on black sv. Great deal! This car looks great but doesnt ooze snot like driving the bmw, mercedes, lexus. I have had tons of compliments, even from the kids.

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  Nice Car, BUT........................... - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Sonya - August 6 - 2:03 am

  I purchased this car used with only 18,500 miles on it and got a great price and the first year was fantastic.Great gas mileage 20/25, fun 2 drive, roomy then at the anniversary of my purchase coming back from a trip to NC with 45,500 miles on the car the transmission went out.Who would think a car would have transmission issues at 45,000? I would never think of such a thing but it did. Yes it was still under warranty BUT can I trust it to go on trips again? NO! I am a previous owner of a 95 nissan pathfinder that never had an issue and I drove it for 215,000 miles.Thought nissan was a reliable vehicle told all my friends to buy a nissan now I am not sure anymore..Very Disappointed in NISSAN

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Dan Hess - August 5 - 7:00 pm

  I bought the 2007 Altima 2.5SL with Technology Package Invoice 26,476 from Cerritos Nissan, and it has been a pleasure to drive this vehicle. it runs really smooth, and I love the CVT feature along with the Bose Sound system. Best of all I got it for $1.1K under Invoice, at least that is the best price I could negotiate to. The interior of the car seems a little cheap but the technological features of the car at this price are amazing. It hugs the road very well. I LOVE it. Cars Previously Owned: Toyota Camry V6 LE, Honda Pilot EX-L

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  THIS CAR NEEDS HELP - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By RAG - August 5 - 3:00 pm

  the car looks great, perhaps the reason I went for it, but it handles like crap. it consistently pulls (drifts to the right) and the dealer has tried, but has been able to do nothing to fix it. I must fight the car to stay straight and I am calling an attorney to do my best to get out of this car. The dealer is very receptive, but will not make any concessions. for a $35k car, it is NOT worth it!

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  I Love My Car! - 2008 Nissan Versa
  By ebolhafner - August 5 - 11:16 am

  I test drove a Scion xD and a Honda Fit before this one, and I fell in love immediately with the Versa. Its amazingly roomy, drives very smoothly at highway speeds (compared to other cars in its class) and is cute but not too cute like the Fit and Yaris are. I get good gas mileage, about 34 mpg with 60% highway 40% city driving. The model I bought has neat extras like audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel, armrest, etc. My fiancee loves how roomy it is, and I can fit both our bikes in the back easily. I think this is an underrated little car and a GREAT value!

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  Buy this SUV - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By Pat - August 4 - 9:33 pm

  This is my 2nd Xterra. First one was 2wheel drive, this one is 4 wheel drive. Looks like major changes to exterior of the 2005 models. I dont know about them, but I have been very happy with my 2003 and 2004. Its supposed to be marketed to kids but Im 50 and lovin it. Dont be afraid to buy this SUV. Its just as sexy as a Toyota and more dependable than a Chevy, and $5000 less than either one. Shop at the last of the month and add factory incentives, you could bring one of these 4X4s home for around $21000. I did.

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  2002 Nissan Maxima GLE Meredian Edition - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Ivan - August 4 - 6:23 pm

  It is my opinion that the 2002 Nissan Maxima is the best sports sedan for under $30,000. You cant buy a better car for the money if you factor in all the options and excellent reliability of this vehicle. My wife has a 1996 Nissan Maxima GLE with over 100,000 miles and the only thing she replaced was an $18.00 halogen headlight. Now with more power (255hp) and torque, this car is a pleasure to drive.

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  Dont listen to the critics - 2017 Nissan Frontier
  By Denver D - August 3 - 6:44 pm

  Auto reviewers need something to write about. They write that the Frontier has below-average gas mileage and a cheap-looking interior. Well, I get 19-20 mpg in my 2017, which is just fine for a truck, IMO. You get better advertised mileage in a Tacoma and other models, but drive it and see why: the manufacturers hobble the transmission with sluggish response and shifting to artificially inflate mileage numbers. The Frontier has a responsive transmission and the V6 has plenty of power to get this truck off the red light. As to the cheap interior, it is a light truck not a luxury vehicle. I test drove the other models in this class of light truck and I saw nothing better. It is well better than the 2000 Ranger I used to own, and worlds better than my dads trucks in the 1980s. If you want leather appointment and woodgrain dash, you are looking in the wrong class of vehicle. The visibility in the cab is better in the Frontier compared to the competition too, with the pillars blocking much less of the rear view. The seats are more comfortable than the Tacoma. The rear seats are a little tight, but not so tight that an adult cant sit back there and it fits a carseat, too. I dont understand the criticism of the handling, either. Once the steering is broken in, it has a good turning radius and the engine has enough power to get you through a tight curve hugging the road just fine. The factory tires could use an upgrade, though, to a Michelin or Goodyear radial. Overall, Im very glad I purchased this vehicle and not the competition, and the price is right.

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  MPG!! - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Joe - August 3 - 11:46 am

  This Versa hatchback replaced a Honda Prelude that got 32 MPG. We moved 96 miles from work and needed better gas mileage since gas was $4.89 for regular in So. Cal. I am totally amazed by the 37.88 MPG we get on the highway (35 if the A/C is running). I am 6 foot five and weigh 230 lbs. There is plenty of head leg and shoulder room for me and with the driver seat in the furthest position to the rear a normal sized adults legs do not touch the back of my seat. We got the magnetic grey which has a sparkle to the paint and hides dirt well, so washing is only a twice monthly chore. I was able to get 6 bags of topsoil and a 3.3 cubic foot bag of rock in the rear cargo area and still had room.

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  Excellent Choice - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By dan walz - August 3 - 5:13 am

  Yeah, it can be boring to have a reliable car that feels good, is quiet, gets 24 mpg in town and 30 mpg on the highway, and never has had a problem. Well, Im very happy with boring. This car is probably the best car Ive ever owned on a value per dollar basis (during the last 40 years Ive had everything from Mercedes, to Jaguar, to Ford, to Mercury, to Chevrolet, to Honda, and now my first Nissan).