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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  WOW, life is more fun with my X-terra. - 2006 Nissan Xterra
  By MomoV - May 22 - 12:33 pm

  I have had my X-terra for 2 weeks and have driven it 1100 miles (went on two trips with it). I am amazed at the design of this SUV. It is very well thought-out, with everything you need and nothing you dont (like they say in commercials). I went to Great Sand Dunes NP last weekend and tried to get it stuck in deep sand. I engaged the 4WD/LO and rear locking differential, and it was awesome! No problem getting out of deep sand. I bought my X-terra at Boulder Nissan (Colorado), and that was the most pleasant car-buying experience ever. Those guys are amazingly nice.

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  Buy the 2003 Altima - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By andrew ng - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I love this driving machine.

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  Cant let go of the keys! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By buzz5 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Beauty in motion, powerful and graceful.

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  Still ticking - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By briellejade - May 21 - 11:53 pm

  I purchased this maxima after owning x3 other Nissans. I work home health and have driven this car 169,000 miles while all my co-workers have had new vehicles since employment, I am still driving my Maxima to the "Max". I do feel that the depreciation\trade-in value of such and expensive vehicle should be higher and does deter my notions of purchasing another new one.

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  my first new car - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By princesspoo - May 20 - 1:13 pm

  Ive had my car since late 2001 and I just hit 90K on the mileage. Considering the last 20K have been in the last 10 months, the car is doing very well. I replaced the tires twice, brake pads once, and had the belts changed recently. I also had the factory recommended 90K service completed. It set me back quite a bit, but considering the car has held up since 01, Im not complaining. I will probably drive it another year or two before seriously starting to look for a replacement. The exterior paint still looks good after a wash/wax, minus the dings you get from people who park next to you and open their doors too wide.

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  Awesome SUV - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By sache302 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Love it!

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  would suggest to get it - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By dima - May 20 - 10:00 am

  i have deal for 398/mo 1300 down fully loaded...... i love it before i had Mercedes E 320..and ML 320. Murano is much better and more reliable then ML 320 is for sure...... ML 320 mercedes track is a big failure for mercedes..... bumpy, gas eatter....

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  This car rocks! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Trippen41 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  This car is so fast. Love pulling up to people who think there car is faster, then just tap the gas and they are in your dust. Its unreal.

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  Almost Excellent - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By BJ - May 20 - 9:36 am

  This thing will pull a house and sounds cool doing it, just like on TV; however, the gas mileage isnt as rated. In the process, the suspension system feels a little cheesy for such a beefy rig, and if its cold out, your pedal foot is too, and the doors dont shut with as much ease as when its warm out. The dash is also a bit high into your vision, limiting your view of the vehicle front and making it easy to ding the gargantuan bumper in tight spots. It can be hard to tell if the emergency brake is on also, and with the vehicles power and the idiot light hidden by the steering wheel, one can drive with the brake engaged, not particularly a good thing for discs and pads. Almost perfect.

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  Under-rated by Automotive "Journalists" - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By Garandman - May 20 - 3:23 am

  We now have over 10,000 miles on an 05 Quest SE used as a company car. We found most auto writer reviews just plain wrong. Side doors and back are bigger than competitors. Ride, handling, and feeling of safety in bad weather is very impressive. The 3.5L engine is great, and we have logged several tanks of fuel over 26mpg - the EPA highway figure! average over first 6,000 miles including break-in and Winter driving was 22.8. A/C works very effectively. Contrary to reviews, second row seats do fold down with headrests in place. The mid-level sound system is good. Four different drivers operate this vehicle regularly and report that the center-mounted speedo takes 15 minutes to get used to.