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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  Great Vehicle - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By John - February 25 - 5:43 pm

  Coming from a 2007 Maxima into the Murano, I can say it does not disappoint. I can only describe this vehicle as awesome. The engine is smooth and powerful and this is using regular grade fuel and the CVT trans only compliments it. The fit and finish on the body is flawless. The interior has a rich, classy look and feel and is plenty roomy in both the front and back. The navigation system works really well and is simple to use and accurate. The ride is great, I have driven my friends Lexus RX 350 and can only say that the Murano is equal to or better than it for about 8 grand less. If you are on the fence about buying this vehicle just jump off and buy it, you will not be disappointed.

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  very reliable car - 1995 Nissan 200SX
  By lancelot - February 25 - 10:00 am

  no major problems in over 100k miles

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  Best Deal....why look anywhere else? - 2000 Nissan Quest
  By mini-mom - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Quest for almost 2 years now and I LOVE it! This van is such a great deal...we got all the features we really wanted, plus the entertainment center which has been invaluable. We have taken several long trips in our van and my husband (who is quite tall) never complains about being uncomfortable. The kids are entertained the whole trip and the rear a/c has been wonderful! We have had such positive experiences with Nissan vechicles and their warranty is top notch! I except to buy another Quest when we are ready for something new.

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  2nd Maxima & the Best - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Tom Cuillier - February 25 - 10:00 am

  We had our 1991 Maxima since it was new. Best car we ever owned, but this 03 is Awesome! Great Bose system, extremely fast, but docile & quiet during normal driving. Even Grandma is impressed with smooth luxurious ride, but when you press on the "fast" pedal, all hell breaks loose! This is a rocket. Handles like on rails, extremely roomy inside - even the back seat has a lot of leg room. I drove Mercedes, Volvo, BMW, & Lexus, before making my decision. This SE is a steal at the price and, performance-wise, will blow the doors off everything else I drove. Before buying anything else, drive a Maxima, your perfect car search will be over! This is a no-brainer.

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  great value - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By acmeroadrunnr - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I have 3000 miles on my Altima SE now and have found it to be as much fun to drive today as it was when I first test drove it. I had money down on a Passat GLX V6, but decided to test drive the SE and never looked back. I should also add that I replaced a 2000 Accord EX for the new Altima and am very happy with the new car.

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  best truck hands down - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By jwestfall - February 25 - 8:16 am

  I have always been a Dodge truck fan, until the Titan came into the picture. I test drove every large truck on the market, and none of them compare to the standard available power and options in the Titan. The overall handling, comfort, and style of the Titan is unmatched. The one and only complaint that I have is true with every other full-size truck on the market, the fuel economy is very poor. But what do you expect from a true V8 motor?

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  My Car - 1997 Nissan Maxima
  By Tina - February 24 - 11:33 pm

  After all of these years my car is still running like a champ. I am just breaking in my 1997 Nissan Maxima.

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  34K and still great! - 2013 Nissan Altima
  By svalent2 - February 24 - 3:17 pm

  Overall its a really great car, Ive only needed regular maintenance. The pep is there when I need it especially when merging onto highways or zooming around idiots in the city that dont use their signals. I average about 29.5 with all city and about 33 mixed. Very comfortable and lots of storage space. I have experienced the "shutter/vibration" of the transmission, about 3 times since Ive had the car (34k miles btw) at about 40 mph coasting for about a minute long. Its very distracting and doesnt feel too good during that minute but its so rare that it even happens that it doesnt bother me too much. If it happened all the time I could see why some would trade it.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Nissan 350Z
  By debra - February 23 - 3:50 pm

  Have owned corvette, mercedes, hands down the most fun car to drive. Makes the hour drive to work the most fun and the top is the best, easy and fast! This car gets attention! Will buy Z again. Love this car!

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  Quality, Real Sport Utility Vehicle - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By Daily Driver - February 23 - 3:23 pm

  Sturdy, truck frame, doesnt feel like a delicate car whose suspension has been raised and given 4WD. Inspires confidence in bad weather and on rough trails. Fun to drive in the snow and slush! Feels safe. VDC works well when roads are slick. Good ground clearance with key components tucked up under the frame. Excellent acceleration. Very responsive engine and transmission. Quiet on the highway. Comfortable for four on a trip.