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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  ZOOOOOOMZOOOOOOM!!!! - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Lysa - September 2 - 1:26 am

  I love my new Quest! Safety features galore, VERY comfortable ride. Make sure you get the floor mats, Edmonds review says that it is a "typically equipped option" also, Im ordering the seat protectors and fog lights. Got used to the POD style immediately, still not sure that I like the hood area on a side view it reminds me of a morphed VW on steroids! One thing for sure, the styling is unmatched!

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  Love love this car! - 2016 Nissan Pathfinder
  By May - September 1 - 6:25 pm

  No complain. Very nice vehicle. Smooth riding, strong motor v6. Bose system is awesome. Love all the additional features.

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  30 days, 2800 miles, 76 hours - 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By Flying Cloud - September 1 - 4:40 pm

  Mostly on 101 Fwy, PCH, and LA City driving averaging 34.5 mpg. This car is amazing! Fun, performs well, roomy inside, trunk not too small, comfortable after a 2 hour drive, looks good and doesnt scream HYBRID. Purchased purely for utilitarian purposes, commuting and business travel. It is a very pleasant surprise after a month of heavy use. The CVT and hybrid system take some getting used to, but they lead to "strategic" driving. One is challenged by the kW meter not to stomp on the pedal, to attain and maintain speed carefully and to "drive farther ahead down the road". I purchased without tech package anticipating adding portable gps and iPod media.

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  way better than zoom zoom - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Jim - August 31 - 12:36 pm

  This SUV is very solid, has good torque and is comfortable over the long haul. I have been very pleased from the get go.

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  Great sportscar value - 2012 Nissan 370Z
  By pbschroeder - August 30 - 11:06 pm

  Ive had this car about 10 days now. It is fast, comfortable and handles well. I have owned a Corvette, several Porsches and several BMWs. In many ways, this car is their equal, especially when you factor in the cost of the car. Where else can you get this kind of performance for $38K? This is not to say I do not plan to own more Corvettes, Porsches and BMWs in the future. However, this is a car I predict I will look back on and be happy I owned it.

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  Great car Very pleased - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Jim - August 30 - 11:40 am

  Hood and trunk should be metal.Side airbags should not be an option. I put 23,000 on this car with no problem. Nissan World has the best service dept. Rotors warped at 20,000 they did brake job as warranty. The right service dept. is the key. I really enjoy this car lots of compliments. People have asked if it is a BMW 5. Rather haave the Altima I dont like maintenance bills.

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  Nissan Pathfinder - 1997 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Arturo - August 30 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy my Pathfinder.It is a very well-made vehicle.

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  Kudos to the Max - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By jscott - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Owned my 96 SE since 96 and have 128K miles of troublefree driving. Original clutch, timing chain, etc. Only replaced battery, brakes and tires. Runs great and body holds up in Northeast. Engine is remarkable--great fuel economy, acceleration/peformance, smooth running. I have all the options-- leather interior, power everything--so car is a nice combination of a luxury family sedan and a sport/touring vehicle.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By DNM - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Love the car. Have had it for about a month and a half. No problems aside from having to have the tires rebalanced for a slight vibration a 60mph. Excellent power, though handling isnt like a sportscar since it is quite a large car. 18" rims are great, style is modern, and the value is there as long as you dont load up on the options..specifically the Nav system. Much better value than a 5 Series BMW at an astonishing $45k.

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  SE Crew Cab 2 Wheel Drive - 2007 Nissan Frontier
  By gavero - August 30 - 6:10 am

  My mind was already set on buying a Toyota Tacoma four door TRD truck. I just wanted to test drive the Frontier for the heck of it. I was sold on the power of the truck and the optional features that was offered.The Frontier had a lot of leg room and the seats were real comfortable. I think Nissan did their homework with the Frontier and I would pick this truck over any of the mid size trucks out there.