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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  oxnardjoes review - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By oxnardjoe - March 21 - 10:00 am

  very stylish and compact, comfortable, roomy, great seats, leg room,love the multiple use of seat and cargo. runs great.

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  The Consumers Choice - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Goldbergdude14 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Well this is not a car for people who dont got the green. This is a car for people who have some money to spend and want to have fun out on the road. The 2004 Nissan Murano has great pick up, even without using the overdrive. Not to mention its ability to stop on dime. The handling is simply superb. However thats just the way it drives. The great thing about this car is the standard 6 speaker with woofer Bose stereo system. Going down the road with a rap disc ahving the speakers blaring and the base turned up makes you look like youve got a couple of aftermarket woofers in the trunk. The suspension needs a little work. But, if youre cruising down the highway nothing can stop you

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  excellant - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By tchgrif - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This car has been nothing but a joy to own and operate. I would strongly recomend it to anyone. I use to only own hondas, but after a bad experience with my last one I decided to try another make. It was the best decision I could have made

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  Simply Love It! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By leslielxi - March 21 - 10:00 am

  We drove at least a dozen SUVs, CUVs, and station wagons before deciding on the Murano. Its the best of all worlds. We love the ride and handling. We prefer the SEs stiffer suspension over the SLs--it doesnt seem at all "harsh" to us. The CVT is very cool. Im willing to sacrifice a little performance for better gas mileage. Ive never owned a vehicle that so many strangers have stopped and complimented. The most often used term in describing it is "bad a** looking." The stereo is AWESOME. The more I drive it, the more I love it.

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  The Best in Its CLASS - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Terry Curcie - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I had owned many trucks, large and small. I feel this vehl. is the best that I have driven. It has power, comfort and style, and is a head turner. I own a repair garage and have checked the truck over very close and have not found any problem or defects. It is a very well thought out vehl. I think it is the top of its CLASS.

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  Best car for the money - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By youbeachcleaner - March 21 - 10:00 am

  An awesome car if you are looking for both a fun and reliable car that is affordable. It has everything you would want from a sport sedan, looks, power, versatility, suspension, braking, and safety (if you get the ABS side airbag package.) Fun to drive time and again, and with the new nismo parts, you can upgrade it everytime you get sick of it. All for less than the price of most other cars in its class.

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  A+++++ - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By ron nemeth - March 21 - 10:00 am

  this car is awesome. buy it! great styling, very powerful, and fun to drive. great all around. lots of interior room, excellent air conditioner.. what more could you ask for?

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  awesome car! - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By jjorgemiami - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This car is great, powerful, handles like a dream, and loads of fun to drive. The interior is comfortable, sporty and neat. The exterior is sleek and smooth.

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  zzzeriffic sport car! - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By RWDoll - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Have owned the 240, 280, and 300. This is the GREATEST of all.

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  Just plain fun and fast - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By dcsinc99 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The dealer has treated me great. The car out performs my expectation. I have a little problem with the navigator and the currency of the DVD disk. Still working on solving that problem. The jury is still out.