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:

• 

  An amazing ride - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Eburt - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I picked up my 04 Max on 8/2 and am completely in awe of it - whether driving it or just looking at it in the driveway. Although I had preferred the 6-speed, the automatic has more than enough jump from a stop and the pick-up from 60-80 is equally impressive.

• 

  Fab Ride - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Judy Byerly - June 10 - 6:15 am

  This is my third Murano and I continue to love them. It handles well, great comfort and I feel so very safe in it.

• 

  So far so goog little truck - 2003 Nissan Frontier
  By dcdoc97 - June 9 - 11:16 pm

  Bought this truck used in May 2006. Inside is comfortable. Outside is nice. have taken couple of trips of 300+ mile and it was a comfortable ride. cab is quite in highway speed. turning radius could be better. horrible gas milage (15 city, 17 highway)!! I pulled a boat and a trailer with a combined weight of about 4200 lb from LA to Las Vegas. the truck had no problems except going up hill (it could only go 50 mph up hill!!)

• 

  2007 Nissan Maxima - 2007 Nissan Maxima
  By Larry Bornemeier - June 9 - 7:50 pm

  Excellent vehicle, a pleasure to drive especially with the new CVT transmission. Holds the road very well and more than adequate power.

• 

  Great Truck for a Buck - 2005 Nissan Xterra
  By johng - June 9 - 6:33 pm

  I purchased my Nissan X-Terra SE in 2005 brand new. I wanted BASIC reliable transportation and 4wheel drive. Live in the northeast. I have just under 40000 miles Ive replaced the brakes all around once along with routine maintenance. The truck always starts always gets me where I have to go. Wish the gas mileage was better but I knew what I was getting when I made the purchase. The engine has loads of power and handle like a stable truck. This is not meant to be a fancy ride. Its a basic good honest truck, thats it.

• 

  6 Speed is The Way to Go - 2013 Nissan Juke
  By chalper - June 9 - 4:08 pm

  A manual Juke is a blast to drive. The clutch, shift linkage and synchos are top notch, and give a sport car feel to the vehicle.It handles well ( moderate lean on aggressive cornering) for a CUV, and the steering is quite quick and precise.Brakes have a good feel as well.There is little cargo area, with the seat up, but when I need to haul something, the seat quickly folds and it is adeqaute for normal Home Depot and Costco runs. If you want to tote a 4X8 sheet of plywood or an XMAS tree, get a truck.I wanted a sporty driving vehicle, with a little cargo capability (our BMW Convertible is no help there), so the little Juke is perfect. No CVT for me, it would spoil the Jukes character.

• 

  The Best Sedan of 2007-8 - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By Siddharth Wartak - June 9 - 1:26 pm

  I was a Honda fan for many years and had Honda Accord. I thought of a change and was about to buy Camry. A friends recommendation led me to consider the all new 07 Altima. I went for a test drive and in the first minute I was thrilled to drive the 2.5 S. The power, the pick up, smoothness and CVT. I had made up my mind before I could get down. Never ever have I a loved a car so much. I dont feel like getting out of my Nissan and I take longer route to reach home late. I drove 600 miles on highway with full tank averaging 34 miles/gallon. After driving the CVT tech, driving my friends conventional cars with freq jerks of gear shift are no more a pleasure even with V6.

• 

  Safety of 2005 altima - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By V.Luce - June 9 - 1:30 am

  Leased vehicle 8/2004 after receiving offer from Nissan on early termination of lease on 2001 Pathfinder. Loved that SUV. Was impressed with Altimas overall design and engine performance. Neglected to check oversall body frame. Late August 2004 while slowly backing out of a parking space hit a low brick planter(too low to see in rear view mirror. Cost replacement molded bumper $542.00.Used a magnet to check the body and found the hood and trunk were molded not metal. Concerned safety driving this car whose body is not 100% metal.

• 

  I love with my 05 Maxima - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By LadyDe - June 8 - 10:43 pm

  I love my Maxima. For the first time in my life I was blessed to buy a dependable car. Glad I chose the Maxima!!. Ask me if I would buy the 07 or 08? Heck yeah!!

• 

  Smooth Ride - 2012 Nissan Quest
  By rlhinmi - June 8 - 12:13 pm

  After comparing with Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, Hyundai, and Mazda5 we decided that the Nissan Quest was the best minivan for our family. After 2500 miles we continue to be very satisfied with our selection. The 3.5L V6/CVT combination is very smooth. Although the exterior design is an acquired taste, we like it better than the Honda design. Toyota seemed to cut costs on interior materials--too much hard plastic. Chrysler and Hyundai build quality still seems lacking. We decided that the Mazda5 was too small for our desired use. So far the Nissan has been a very capable family hauler. MPG average has been 22.5 with mixed driving. We managed 24mpg on a recent road trip.