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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  Wonder car! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Mike Ganino - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Nissans 2004 Maxima is powerful yet easy to handle. It has many features that make drinving it a pure driving pleasure, not the least of which is the navigation system. On dash controls for the radio are very convenient, however limited to the stations set in its memory. The heated steering wheel is a plus as well as the foldup side mirrors. Overall a great car and an A+++ in my book.

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  WOW - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Happy Marc - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing. Super quiet, super smooth, super fast. I have people stop me and say how much they love my car. Its so comfortable to drive too

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  Awesome car!! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By k-3counselor - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This is an awesome ride!! We have owned two Altimas (1995 and 1999) and have an Xterra(2000,4x4), and while we have loved the others, this one takes the cake!! I have the Driver Preferred package on a silver SE with black leather interior and power sunroof. Boy, does this car turn heads?! I am 34 years old and I feel like a teen when I drive this. The Bose system is superb. My 11 year old has called dibs on it when she turns 16 already. Thank you Nissan! Quality, safety, and awesome styling for less than $32K!!

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  God and my Murano Saved My Life! - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Joy - October 24 - 9:03 am

  I was in a roll over accident in my Murano and I literally walked away from the accident with out a scratch! God and my 2007 Nissan Murano saved my life. The car was totaled, but I am a walking miracle that seat belts save lives and this car is very safe! I I could, I would attach a picture so you all could see how my Murano looked after the crash. I am in the hunt now to buy another 2007 Nissan Murano!

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  Nissan Altima - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Connie H. - October 24 - 8:56 am

  The Nissan Altima is one of the best cars for 2005 even though it is a foreign made automobile. They have almost gotten it right. The only thing that they could upgrade is to make the passenger seat as big as the drivers and make the change holder a bit more convient as of now it doesnt hold your change. It drives great; it corners perfect; it turns on a dime; great sound system; and lastly it has pickup you just wouldnt believe.

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  The Coupe to Buy - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By happyone - October 23 - 5:50 pm

  The Altima coupe in black with premium package is very sexy and pleasing to the eyes. High quality sport interior in black leather has a lot of class. The seats give plenty of support and are comfortable when in them for hours. Bose system sounds so crystal clear. Bluetooth works fantastic and sounds excellent. Moonroof is nice too. Great gas mileage and plenty of power with the CVT. Fun to drive. Great car for the money. Premium package worth every penny. Ive owned over 30 cars and this is one of the nicest. I compare it to my 2003 BMW 330 convertible with sport package and I feel the Altima coupe is just as nice. Great car with all the features without being pretentious!

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  Lexus vs Murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Linda Carter - October 23 - 12:40 am

  I love my 2004 Murano! I feel very safe driving it. I was a little hesitate of buying an SUV but needed more room than a car provided. After seriously considering the Lexus 330,including several test drives, I found the Murano to be an excellent choice price & quality. The Murano just "felt good to drive" It did not drive like a SUV at all. I felt very comfortable & w/ adjustable seats (so many settings) I was not sitting high & didnt get the feeling of driving a truck. I LOVE IT!

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  Love my Murano, BUT!!! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Randy Selby - October 22 - 11:23 pm

  I love my Nissan Murano but we have been having some reliability issues. The car was shooting out smoke when I started it. I took it into my stone age dealer, terrible service, and they said it had a sludge problem. Of course they said it was my fault even though I change my oil all the time. Anyways I went to another dealer and they were great, they covered everything. The reason I took it to them was because the car would start making a funny noise when I let my foot off the gas, it sounded like a lawnmower. They said the transmission was going out. Anyways I love everything else about the SUV.

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  100,000 miles and 0 (zero) problems! - 2008 Nissan Pathfinder
  By v880118 - October 22 - 10:00 am

  This has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. My wife uses it to commute between Denver and Grand Is. Nebraska and she puts about 1,000 a week on it. We have towed over 5,000 lbs for 2,000 miles; excellent, it averages 17.8 mpg, has had no mechanical failures, and is still on the original brake pads and rotors with no warpage! I dont baby it, and I have to floor it often for that happy feeling. It rips in a straight line!. Seriously folks, this has been a great ride and will be for the next 100,000, I have no doubt of that.

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  Fun to drive - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By lou - October 22 - 10:00 am

  so far enjoying this crossover. just wish the gas mileage was a little better. also the le comes standard with 20" tires. would rather have had the 19" tires that come on the other models. the tire life is short and this tire is very expensive to replace. the gps is excellent and easy to operate. the car is expensive looking without the price. i am hoping it handles as well during the winter as it does during the summer. i have never had all wheel drive, but will probably give it a good test this winter