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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  Tacoma vs Frontier - 2006 Nissan Frontier
  By Mike - May 28 - 6:03 am

  After 3 months of comparing these two vehicles, the Frontier won! It cost much less than the Tacoma, it has more "git up and go", and has a more solid ride verses the bouncy feel I sensed in the Tacoma. I figured that the Frontier has far more horsepower and torque per pound in comparison to the other trucks. As an added bonus, my first round trip in the Bay Area freeways resulted an average 24.6 mpg on regular gas! City driving cuts into it at about 18.5 mpg. Though I miss the compass/temp read-out feature, the balance of the dashboard is laid out very thoughtfully. Some say that theres too much plastic in it but its my work truck, who cares!

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  Love the car - 2007 Nissan Versa
  By cj - May 27 - 6:23 pm

  I got the car to replace a minivan. I found that the room inside the car makes this easy. The car is small but the passenger space inside made moving from a minivan to a car very very easy, everything fits. I dive several hundred miles a day, and the car is a joy climate controls work great and the smart key is a wonder. I had a problem with the bluetooth but nissan helped. But I find the people in the phone too polite and thick Brithish/Indian accents.

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  absolutely awesome! - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By parker - May 27 - 11:10 am

  I was originally very hesitant to spend this much on a nissan, but the car is worth every penny. Ive had an Acura TL and lexus RX, this car blows both away--and costs way less. Build quality is top notch -- no creaks no noises. Fuel economy is excellent considering how powerful this car is. Tech package rocks. I cant believe editors dont rate this car higher. def recommend to anyone.

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  Drive me Im fun. - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By Louis Schrammel - May 26 - 11:59 pm

  Drive more than one make of car and you will see that the Altima is worth buying.I drove four other brands and chose the Altima for ride comfort,performance and looks.

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  ...and my 76" surfboard fits inside! - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By Mike - May 25 - 10:06 pm

  Starting with the Silverstone exterior paint and the burnt orange leather seats, this car is gorgeous! The feeling of power not only comes from all those horses under the hood, but the weight and driving feel of the car- its quite a secure feeling! I just got back from the beach, and the drive to, was just as much fun as the waveriding.

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  Powerful road warrior - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By porschekid74 - May 25 - 4:16 pm

  Overall my 2005 Nissan Armada has been a great vehicle so far. It has plenty of power, room, nice features, etc. This SE offroad is surprisingly quiet on the highway for its size. The only downfall is its gas mileage. After six months of ownership I have never gotten better than 15 mpg, but then again step on the gas pedal once and youll see why.

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  Love this car - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By Girl with a Z - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!!!! I have a black extirior and balack interior. It is a head turner where ever I go....Some poor guy jogging tripped over his own feet looking at the car. I feel a lot of speeding tickets coming along with this car. Wheres is the radar detector they should make that a standard feature. Love it, love it love it

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  The best of the rest! - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By skichick - May 25 - 2:00 am

  In March I traded in my 1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible towards my purchase of a brand new 2003 Nissan Pathfinder. This car not only beats out any other SUV Ive driven. I work for Enterprise Rent A Car, I drive all makes and models often, and just like Red Riding Hood, I am picky....The Durango & Trailblazer are excellent, but too trucklike. The Jeep Grand Cherokee down the road is one of my brances best customers for service, that has to tell you something about that vehicles quality.

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  Not the total truth - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By cool willo sweethart - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I Like the Vehicle. But when it was sold to me not everything was presented. Ex. I would never have bought the car without cruse control. I do long distance driving and use it all the time. My fault I should have asked. But i though all cars were coming with cruse control these days. Oh well. I know for the future. Otherwise I like the Car. I have no real need for a lot of Passenger space so the back seat is not a problem. But I could have passengers a little cramped. Seems to be good on gas and that is a very important point for me.

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  My Murano is great! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Mursan - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Im very pleased with my Murano. It handles like a dream, is appointed conveniently, and is really fun to drive. Disappointed in gas mileage. It gets great mileage on a highway/expressway but mileage slips in stop & go driving. All controls work well and I am finding the navigation system helpful and easy to use.