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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  Finally got my Rogue - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By ytwulf - August 28 - 4:30 pm

  I have had my Rogue for a little over a week now and what can I say. This vehicle is awesome! I drove all the other smaller sport utes that you can think of, the Rav 4, CRV, and Endeavor, and this one beats them all hands down. I have not noticed the issues with the blind spots when backing up but I was driving a quad cab Dodge Dakota before I got my Rogue. I just filled the tank up for the first time and although the onboard computer said I was getting 23.5 mpg, I actually got 25.2 mpg when you do the calculations. I did have about 60% of the miles on the highway. This is a fun vehicle to drive. It is very comfortable and quite on the highway with very little wind noise.

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  the titan - 2006 Nissan Titan
  By john arriaga - August 28 - 2:43 pm

  i have only had my titan for about two months and i love it !it is so big comfortable inside, and has pulling power all at the same time, it doesnt get the best gas mileage with the big motor v8, but if you buying a v8 gas souldnt be an issue anyway. i couldnt be happier.

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  Great car fo rthe money - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By LI SilverSE-R - August 28 - 2:00 am

  4 cyl auto that can do a burnout....I like it. It isnt a perfect car, but I really love it. It has great pick up for what it is and it has awsome handling. Some other guy said spec vs handle bad in the snow...this car doesnt have that problem at all. never slides anywhere and I beat on it too. I had it up to 120...I think it can do 130. Overall I love this car. Fun, conveinent(4 doors), quick, had a pretty good stereo(workin on a better one...hehe). Great car for the money.

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  Very Happy Nissan Owner - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Threeride - August 28 - 2:00 am

  So far it has been pure pleasure. Plenty of power to spare with the smooth shifting automatic. I really like the comfort of the seats and the factory stereo with 7 speakers is more than adequate. The exterior lighting is fabulous -- night driving no longer an issue. Handling is good and will improve when I get new tires.

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  Sentra GXE 2003 - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By Yves Boisvert - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Up to date, my experience is wonderful, before I bought this car I had a road test with the Hyundai Elentra VE but even if the performance are better with the Elentra, the interior is too much better in the Sentra. I bought the luxury package that game me the 15" mag wheels, in dash compartment and 180 audio system + more... and I appreciate it. The look of the car is impressive ( vibrant blue ) and interior look is just perfect. For fuel economy, i cant really express my self, im little disapointed cause it is too much for now, buy I have only 2500 miles done yet. My m/gal will improve soon im sure of that im not worry.

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  FAST LITTLE CAR - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By ROYAL - August 28 - 2:00 am

  i owned a ford escort before my se-r, so i am really happy. the power is amazing for a 4 cylinder, the stereo sounds great and the front end looks so cool. nissan has really done a great job putting some sports into there little sedan. also the brakes are very smooth and the leather heated seats are a great option for such a low priced car.

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  Love that sporty baby - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By disla71 - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Amazing ride and handling! I have always dreamt of a sporty SUV like that! "S" shifter position delivers jet-like performance! Absolutely adore the CVT! Its so smart and finds the best gear ration very fast! All interior features couldnt be designed any better! Love the seat sliding back during entry/exit, sun roof switches are really smart, too. Since the engine operates really smooth, the speed dependent volume control becomes just a funky, but not very useful feature.

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  Blue Murana SE AWD w/ Charcol Leather - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Marku - August 28 - 2:00 am

  My 5th day with the brand new Murano. Traded in my 98 Pathfinder. Much better compare to the 03 Pathfinder. Only th 03 Pilot came close to the engine smoothness, but the Murano feels more luxurious and is much more fun to drive. The cornering performance is amazing especially compare to all other SUVs that I have test driven.

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  Wish I could stop smiling - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Dirlink - August 28 - 2:00 am

  My face is getting sore from all the smiling I do when I see/get into/drive my Murano. The vehicle is amazing. It is powerful, stylish, luxurious, and it has everything I wanted on it. Waited a month to get it. Actually shocked that I got so much car for this price. Truly the nicest vehicle I have ever owned and a pleasure to drive. My driving experience is pleasurable again. Cought myself praying for traffic the other day so I could spend more time in it...

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  Loved it so much I bought one!!! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By chicagonissandriver - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I originally went into the Nissan dealer to purchase a 350Z Track. There infront of me was a Murano. This is one of the best SUV/Cars Ive ever driven. Now its not a 350Z Track but it is more practical. You have to expereice this car/SUV to appriciate it. Its amazing reading some of the other comments some people made on this sight. I can imagine some of the negative comments were made by 16 year olds and or people that have never driven this car/SUV. Thats ok I put my money where my mouth is.