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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  Firm Ride - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Appleton - May 4 - 2:00 am

  The 2003 Altima SE 3.5L is an eye catching vehicle that possesses a lot of style and attitude. Acknowledging the outstanding performance of the Maxima engine, this car is fun to drive and handles extremely well on mountain roads the Interstates. Maybe its because of my age (60), I would perfer a more comfortable ride as the suspension is very stiff.

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  Better than an Acura - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Casey Doe - May 4 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 2001 Acura GS-R Integra for a 2003 5spd V6 Altima. There is a huge difference in every aspect. The Altima is much more powerful, the Altima has a much smoother clutch, much roomier, more solidly built and so far much more reliable. I will never purchase another Acura. I bought 2 and had nothing but problems with both of them. The Altima is an incredible value.

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  Great Car for the money - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Roberta - May 3 - 7:43 pm

  Went to purchase a car and this car was not on my vehicle list. I didnt even want to look at one. Sales person said I should just look and maybe drive one. So I did and I was amazed. They let me take it home and we purchased it the next day! I have always been a Ford person. I still am, but love my Altima!

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  Nissan Is #1 - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By Beverly Edwards - May 3 - 6:56 pm

  This is 2nd X-terra - my first was not a four wheel drive - but she traveled extremely well - the one i own now is a four wheel drive and i love her even more - i can not imagine owning another vehicle but if i do somewhere down the line - i promise it will be a Nissan - i will never go back to any other vehicle - Nissan is the best made auto!!!

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  25 Years of Drivings Maximas - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Jay Rand - May 3 - 1:03 pm

  The car is a reliable means of transportation with good looks, low maintenance and few repairs outside of normal maintenance. I drive the car for 5 years and hand it down to my wife (4000 miles per year) for the next 5 years.

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By 350Z man - May 3 - 2:20 am

  I love it! The dealership was bad after we bought it but other than that i have absolutely no complaints. I love everything about the car!!! Buy it

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  50 series flowmaster - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Shawn Swain - May 2 - 12:20 pm

  When I first got this vehicle I was getting 13 Miles a gallon in city and 15 on the highway. After driving the vehicle a month I put a 50 series flowmaster single exhaust on it. When checking mileage to my surprise it went from 13 to 15.5 city and 22 on highway. If you can withstand a little noise it is really worth putting one on. I have already paid for it in savings on gas at $2.50 a gallon. $230.00 flowmaster.

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  Titans Rock - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Lovethistruck - May 2 - 10:33 am

  Before I owned the Titan, I owned the Frontier, which I absolutley loved. Becoming the owner of a Titan was the best move Ive made. I put it up against my brothers 4x4 chevy pick up, and there was no comparison. I went everywhere in my Titan that he went with his truck engaged in the 4x mode, and mine is not a 4x!!! He was, to say the least shocked, and is thinking of becoming an owner of a Titan as well.

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  Outstanding Automobile - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Charles Grandon - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Maxima 4 years ago and have not had any major problems what so ever. This vehicle has been in the shop twice. The first time was to have the trailing O2 sensor replaced and the second time was to replace the defective trailing O2 sensor that was put in to replace the one that replaced the original. This has been an outstanding vehicle and real pleasure to drive. I average around 29 mpg on the highway which is unheard of for a vehicle this size. I am absolutely sold on the Nissan Maxima and will likely purchase another when that time comes around!

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  3rd Maxima No Sign of Stopping - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By Nissan4ever - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 3 Nissan Maximas (88,89,01). I have had nothing but good experiences and look forward to owning a new one. It is my opinion that you cant go wrong with owning one of these vehicles, especially if you have a bit of a lead foot like i do.