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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  Lovn It! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By CBin - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my Murano for 8 days but I am LOVN IT! I finally had to donate my 1987 Nissan Pulsar to Goodwill. Having that for 17 years and getting 217,000+ miles out of it convinced me to get another Nissan. Im spoiled already! Family, friends and co-workers love it also. Co-worker has a Durango which was priced the same as the Murano. She says I got a much better deal; I have more options/gadgets on mine than hers. Another friend has the Bose system in her Mazda RX-8. Hers does not sound nearly as good as mine!

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  2004 Titan - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By SoulFish - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Great truck for the buck

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  Hemi Eater - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By MLBUMP - August 9 - 10:00 am

  This is the best truck you can buy for your money hands down! I test drove all other competetors and they didnt come close to Titans standards at all. The power is unbeliveable! I have dragged against both Ford and Dodge. No contest! Nissan has done an outstanding job on exterior design. Just looking at this thing sends shivers down the spines of Ford and Dodge owners. Interior design is well thought out and functional. Its very simple but the dash isnt supposed to win you over. It was love at first drive. The sound of the exhaust note and the responsiveness of the engine make this a must for anyone who knows trucks.

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  Best 1/2 ton on the market - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Jason Kertianis - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Im a car guy who used to veiw trucks as tools. Not anymore, this is a great all around vehicle. The drivetrain is amazing. Nissan really paid attention to the details. The longer I own it, the more I love it.

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  tight interior - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By demorambo - August 9 - 10:00 am

  fun to drive, gets attention on the road, but has no decent rear view, uncomfortable seating. Price was right but I should have test driven it more to determine it lacked interior space.

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  I Love My Z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By JoAnns Z - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Once I drove this awesome car and listened to the exhaust growl, I was in love and was not going home without my 350Z. I have such fun roaring down the turnpike and even greater fun showing those who challenge me just how bad my 350Z can be. I have owned some great cars, but this car is my favorite and driving it is almost as much fun as you know what... ha ha :o) I LOVE MY Z!

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  safe for my family - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By lex - August 9 - 10:00 am

  i would say that say that this is a all around great vehicle.i like the get up and go feel in it . and theres enough room in the back seat for my childrens car seats and anything that they bring along with them.

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  excellent auto - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By mark foster - August 9 - 10:00 am

  this is my third maxima,and my fifth nissan since 1982,the maximas owned earlier had 190000 miles on them before i sold them,these are excellent cars.i have also owned mercedes,but for service quality and duriability the maxima quality, service and durability is twice that of mercedes.the maxima is truly an excellent auto.

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  From Fla to NE - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By G. Lance - August 9 - 7:20 am

  Having the vehicle in Fla was great until I moved to NE. Being flat, no hills and no pot holes in Fla I believed this SUV was as smooth as silk. Ha! being in the country in NE up and down hills, windy roads, uneven pavement and pot holes I found out pretty quickly how noisy, unbalanced and terrible the suspension was on this vehicle. However I have been quite lucky and surprised by how it handled in the snow considering I have no 4wd and Ive been in 12-18" of snow many of times. I have had issues with the breaks and seem to have to get the pads and rotors redone about 2x per year other that that no other problems with the vehicle.

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  2005 Frontier Crew Cab - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By sberry - August 9 - 6:46 am

  The most leg room in the back of the crew cab Ive ever experienced. Good design, tight and stought. The engine belt did squeak which was embarrassing until dealer replaced, the brakes still squeak when applied while backing up. Turning radius too wide and I dont like gearing due to fact that when automatic kicks into passing, rpms reve up to high in comparison to acceleration. Have not towed anything. 1 recall on tow hitch electrical. As good as to better that any truck Ive ever owned.