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 my new Xterra! - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By jason - July 27 - 8:06 am

  I really like my Xterra. I test drove just about every SUV on the market before deciding on purchasing the Xterra S. It handles really well, has great acceleration, great braking, and wonderful interior space. The only feature I am not 100% pleased with is the lack of rear seat A/C vents. Thats it. Everything else I have been greatly pleased with.

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  Glad I bought it - 2009 Nissan Quest
  By Michael - July 27 - 2:03 am

  I was also considering Honda, Toyota, Hyundai and Kia. Hyundai cars are great but vans have all sorts of electrical/mechanical issues; Kia is a Hyundai with stripped down interior so they were out. Honda & Toyota bored me to tears, also much more expensive. I resisted buying a minivan for years but am enjoying the Quest. Looks and feels great. Build quality is even better than I expected. Handling is crisp, steering sharp, powertrain is strong and smooth. I traded from a small car so the mileage is not as good but still around 19 in town (with a light foot) and actually over 24 on the highway! Very pleased.

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  Great Car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By Tim McAlevey - July 26 - 10:13 pm

  I just recently purchase an Altima 2.5SE (which is the special edition.) I absolutely love the car. Its sporty and fun to drive with excellent interior room and comfortability. Its clean on the inside and sleek on the outside. Its reliability speaks for itself as its a Nissan. Great car to own.

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  Best Crossover for the Money - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By Ratliff - July 26 - 9:20 pm

  I researched a lot of different cars before settling on the 09 Murano LE. The LE came with standard features that many of the other manufacturers only offered as expensive package options. I looked at the VW Tourag, the Lexus RX, the Infiniti FX35, the Audio Q7 and Mercedes MLK but the Murano offered more features for less money. The Murano is simply the best value in its class.

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  nice and fun - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By love it - July 26 - 10:46 am

  I love my truck, i had always wanted a big truck and when i compared it to the yukon xl, i knew this was for me. it is super comforable to drive, plus its fun to drive cuz u can feel the power and its still sporty looking! I think it is a very nice looking truck yet its sporty.

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  Smooth, Muscular, Stylish Power - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Ross - July 26 - 7:23 am

  This car is an amazing value. Luxury features, powerful 265hp V6, smooth automatic transmission (which you can shift yourself if you like), a unique muscular look, huge 18" performance tires and wheels (I could go on and on about how cool this car is!) Compare it with a Toyota Avalon and see that you get more for a lot less money.

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  SE-R Engine/CVT/Seats=Grand Touring Car - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Peter - July 26 - 3:03 am

  The 2.5L DOHC 4 cyl with perfect balance is made in Japan and gets its maximum torque at 2800 rpm. The CVT senses the engine is very strong and sets itself with high speed gearing to save fuel with low engine rpm: 1600 rpm at 60mph and 1200rpm at 45mph for over 27 mph while brand new. Ride is taut yet bumps fully absorbed. Steering is outstanding with 34 ft turn radius and a dead-flat-level suspension. Exterior is very striking and attractive. Paddle shifters on steering wheel allow CVT to be shifted like a six-speed..a way-cool feature. Intelligent tranny will perceive your foot off the gas on a downhill and drop the gearing to provide engine braking automatically without needing brakes.

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  Great truck, but as always a few complaints - 2011 Nissan Frontier
  By thepatriot - July 25 - 7:14 am

  Overall I am mostly satisfied with this truck. Ive driven this one for just over 8,000 miles. I like the exterior styling except for the excessive amounts of "chrome" or bright shiny metal/plastic. Im fine with the bumpers being shiny, but the front bumper along with the bright grille is simply to much in my opinion. Not a big deal, Im paint the grille and that problem is solved.They also attempted to solve this in the 2012 model with the sports package. Im nearly satisfied with the interior. The materials could have been a bit better, but arent bad overall. It just seems as if the plastics scuff up pretty easily. Lastly the automatic transmission is a bit of a gear hunter.

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  One of the best in its class - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By RI - July 25 - 2:46 am

  This car is a pleasure to drive. It has the best power and go in its class. It is very spacious inside and I love the ergonomics. The visibility is great and the car handles the hills and curvy roads with a great sense of balance. The braking is superb. The other day I was about to turn left at a major junction when a crazy teenager shot across and I was almost in her firing line. I braked and the car stopped dead in its tracks. Gas mileage is OK not the greatest. The trunk space is ample. The interior is vastly improved. The car easily does 0- 60 in a short time and its also easy to pass other cars. Its easily the best looking cars in its class.

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  2013 AltimaS - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By art3 - July 24 - 11:02 am

  I have owned the Altima for 6 weeks and it is the smoothest running vehicle I have owned in 40 years of driving. I have driven 1200 miles so far with it and I applaud the economy and it is spot on as far as mpg advertised. If I had a few more bucks to spend I would have gotten the leather as the cloth i8nterior is ok, but not exceptional. I had rented a 2011 and 2012 Altima before and was impressed with their perfomance. The 2013 is a step above them. I bought it from a highly rated dealership(Priority) and do not expect problems, but my previous experience with them says they will get to the bottom of any problem should one develop. I believe for the money the Altima was the best choice.