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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  3 days and We Love this Murado ! - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Bill - December 21 - 10:00 pm

  The first place we went was up Highway 2,in Pasadena, Into the mountains. All Smiles from the wife as she negosiated the winding road at 20 mph above the posted speed. The SE Supension really holds the road and on the freeway or City streets it is very smooth. We are looking forward to the Mexico trip to see how well it handles We expect to be all smiles. The SE Supension is simular to a sports car but not rough. The Power is very good from the 3.5 V6 and the CVT transmission is amasing. The Murado is a Luxury Vehicle with out the Big price Tag The adjustable seating for all 5 seats is great I was susprised by the comfort.the Drivers

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  Would buy one again - 1999 Nissan Altima
  By Lomagirl - December 21 - 1:13 pm

  Id take this car refurbished over a new one. 5-speed manual shifts okay (except balky in 1st), plenty of spunk. Okay w/ routine maintenance but last 5 years had to replace alternator (w/ core charge refund it wasnt much), belt tensioner, and radiator (less than $100, home installation). Have had suspension work done. Factory tires were weak link. Trunk space is good and very comfortable positioning for short driver (Im 52"). Now at over 150,000 miles starting to show its age but I still love this car.

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  Cool Car - 2003 Nissan 350Z
  By luvin350style - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Great Car, fun fun fun

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  Wear of the car - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By joe_c172000 - December 21 - 10:00 am

  My car has 40000 miles and I am disapointed with the resistance of some of the materials: - The steering wheel has started to change color. When I contacted Nissan to get a new steering wheel, they told me that I was driving with rings in my hand, which I dont. - The carpet is worn out. Come on, its my fourth car and I never saw that before. - The paint is definately too fragile.

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  Bad Desigh - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By M-Biker - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Only had the van a few month it has been in the shop for about two weeks with transmission problems, poor air conditioning, and sever ratttles. Nissan will not change the poor shifting of the transmission and the air conditioning of the van becasue they say it meets the factory criteria and all other Quests are the same. Extremely disappointed in Nissan, they used to produce quality cars!

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  read this - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Hotel - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Great car. Fun to drive.

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  Poor Quality high price - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By joseph misrendino - December 21 - 10:00 am

  This car has the low profile look and price of a sports sedan.It runs on premium fuel like a sports sedan but that s where thre simalarity ends. the Tourque steer is so strong it is dangerious,mine came with limited slip Diferential and the pull on excelleration is still cripleing.The steering feels loose over 60mph. Dificulty seeing over the dashbord. interior is poor quality. shifer is nochy with a lot of play, feels cheep.my carshifter tends to pop out of gear a huge safty hazerd.7)the car feel bigger than it is.The turning radius is huge for a car this size.my vechicle has been in 3 times for the shifter sliping out of gear,consumer affairs has heard

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  Impressive - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By davechoc - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Its exciting to drive. Once you get used to the torque steer you dont mind it much. Some sloppy assembly - a missing nut under the hood. A breather hose that wasnt attached.

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  Satisfied - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Roger Hausinger - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Driveability, controlability plus visibilty were greater than expected. Using regular gas was a surprise. Bought in Phoenix and driven to Milwaukee the next three days at speed with nothing to complain about. Have 3600 miles and am pleased. Navigation unit was and is a puzzlement in spite of the big instruction book. Will find someone to help.

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  Good truck but some problems - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By mikev83 - December 21 - 6:06 am

  My Nissan Titan is a good looking truck with lots of power and plenty of room in the cab for 5 large adults. I have been generally pleased with the performance but have had some reliability issues. The first problem was with a shuddering caused by the front brakes. The dealership replaced the front brakes. The next thing that happened was the paint on the steering column started flecking away by the radio controls. Just a couple of months ago the AM portion of the radio failed and Nissan wouldnt replace it (the cost to replace the radio is over $1,000 since the radio is part of the CD).