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:

• 

  Good SUV to move up to from Xterra - 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
  By flith - January 12 - 10:43 am

  Excellent SUV to replace Xterra if its to small. We traded in our Xterra for a bigger family car. The Pathfinder goes everywhere the Xterra did, soft sandy beaches, muddy trails, rocky / snow covered mountain roads.

• 

  Traded up from Toyota Tacoma - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By Bill - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Just traded in my 2007 Toyota Tacoma for a new Nissan Frontier LE Crew Cab. I had to have more comfort than the Toyota seats would give me. I really hate that Toyota didnt offer a upgrade leather power seats in the Tacoma because I did generally like the truck. But since getting my new Nissan, I have never looked back. Its a wonderful truck and a wonderful ride with the LE Value truck package of goodies. fully adjustable Leather heated seats, Steering wheel stalk tilts down for real comfort. Have already put 1500 miles on it and find that the gas mileage on a long trip runs 20+/- mpg. Im not sorry that I switched trucks. Nissan makes a great product and its also made in the South

• 

  great car - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By stephen hayward - January 12 - 8:18 am

  serviced every 3000 t0 4000 miles all original equipment including tires

• 

  Buying another Maxie - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Mr Darren - January 12 - 1:26 am

  Bought my first maxima in 2005 and it ended up being the best car I ever owned in my life. It drove like a dream and never gave me more than a ounce of trouble. It had about 125k on it when it was stolen. It still drove better than a lot of new cars. The police recovered it and I wanted badly to regain ownership and start driving her again. But the stupid police stored it outside with the sunroof wide open and it rained for two days straight ruining the interior and making the car a total loss. I bought a few other cars including a 2000 maxima but none drove as good as my 96 maxie. So finally a year later Im planning on getting my second maxie this one a 98.

• 

  4-door sports car indeed - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Brian - January 11 - 12:06 pm

  Fastest sub $30K sedan available with manual trans at the time. 11 years later still 0-60 sub 7sec. Very reliable sedan, sports sedan primarily, 4-door sports car second.

• 

  Great car - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By R. Moore - January 11 - 3:50 am

  One of the best cars on the highway today for the dollar.

• 

  Very pleased - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By dalo - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Owning this car has been a very good experience. Very comfotable ride, good acceleration, good responsiveness. The interior is a combination og wood grain and black leather which never failed to impress anybody that got in my car. I recently was rear ended by a full size ram truck and the car took it pretty well no real damage past the trunk area at 8-10mph. Good family sports sedan.

• 

  Sentra 2003 - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Heatherl - January 11 - 2:00 am

  the best car in its class. solid and reliable. not very zippy but it still drives really nice.

• 

  Best Minivan on Market - Hands Down - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Wonderfulslob - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I looked all of the mini-vans on the market. Price was not an issue. After driving one of these, it became evident that this was by far superior to any other mini-van on the market. The interior room is by far, the roomist of all of them. The seating comfort is unreal. The leg room when sitting in the seats directly behind the driver, is like a first class airplane. Handles more like a high performance vehicle than a mini-van. I truly-truly enjoy this vehicle.

• 

  Murano is an excellent vehicle! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By BigDaddyCarl - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the vehicle based upon the looks, features and most importantly the interior leg room, (Im 64" and have a limited variety of vehicles that will accomodate me comfortably). After driving the vehicle for several days I was pleased to find many luxury features that I was unaware of. This vehicle has plenty of power, a super smooth ride, excellent sound system and all the bells and whistles I could ask for. I recommend the Murano to everyone I speak to.