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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  I love my maxima - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By A Nissan Fan - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Great car, fun to drive and great engine! I have 38500k on my 02 SE and am very happy with it. Bridgestone tires are not good in wet weather, but it doesnt rain in socal! Handles great! SE sticks to the road like glue during cornering. The car is quick and nimble for its size and weight. Bose stereo is overrated (it has a tape player in it, who owns tapes?)This car is a blast to drive on hills and curves, especially when you are passing bmrs and acuras!

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  THE BEST MINIVAN ON EARTH!! - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By questlover - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Like most people i did extensive research before dediding to purchase this piece of perfection. I drove the siena and the odessy and they both perfomed very well, but they lack the styling and charisma that this quest has. The leather is much like the comforts of home and the fact i can slide 4 by 8 sheets of goods for my home improvement projects. I really couldnt ask for much more in a minivan

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  Old Cricket - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By Mr.Courier - January 31 - 7:50 am

  I do courier work in South Florida and put around 50,000 miles a year.The reason I named it Cricket is because since I bought it has a cricket noise on the front end , the only thing wrong from new.Cricket now has 238,000 miles and so far the only thing wrong was the battery once and the alternator once. If you are looking for quality this is it none better. Make sure you change the oil every 3000 miles and these babies are really INDESTRUCTIBLE

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  HOPE 2010 ALTIMA IS BETTER - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By HOPE 2010 IS BETTER - January 31 - 7:16 am

  2007 Altima 2.5SL, 6 CD Boss System, 53200 miles on it - I get 26.3 miles per gallon combine city and highway, not quite 32 as they claim. The road noise if terrible, it seems Nissan decided to build the door panels, and entire car with as little or no sound insulation, very cheap. The seats are very uncomfortable on long drives 30 min. drive. I hope they have improved these areas and other areas consumers have complained on since the redesign in 07. Otherwise, what is the point of reviewing this vehicle. Nissan invest some quality material on making a good product and dont rip people off with cheap products that are not worth more then 24K, even at 24K the Nissan Altima is not worth it.

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  Lots of Rattles - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By mjcp - January 31 - 5:26 am

  Love the style, room, etc., but hate the rattles.

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  Great Car also very nice looking - 1999 Nissan Maxima
  By Wiseguy - January 31 - 2:26 am

  I bought this car two years ago, with about 85000 miles on it, and the only maintenance I did on the car was to change the oil. The car is so smooth, like it just came out of the factory. If it wasnt for the dashboard, you would think it is a new car. Accelaration so smooth, highway driving is amazing, the only down side is when you make american stops the automatick transmission stays on second gear. Other than that it is a great car.

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  Great Car - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By Jan F - January 30 - 11:06 pm

  My car currently has 205,000 miles. Have replaced the alternator twice. I dont think the 1st one was that good, but hopefully the second one will be better. My mechanic tells me the car is still in great shape - not leaking any oil or anything. I have to say I have been extremely pleased with the reliability and dependability of this car. I have driven a lot of highway miles on it and I think that has helped emensely.

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  Fun and reliable - 2002 Nissan Sentra
  By Dave - January 30 - 10:26 am

  I bought my 02 Sentra with 25 miles on it. I now has 140,000 and has only seen the shop for tires, brakes, and oil. It gets wonderful gas mileage with the 1.8 L 4 cyl but the car is light weight enough that it is peppy and fun. The only downsides are the seats are not that comfortable for long rides and it could definitely be quieter at highway speeds.

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  fun - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Hoooper - January 30 - 6:43 am

  Great car that is fun and reliable. enough power to get you anywhere, yet smooth enough to sit in traffic

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  only nissans - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By PEG - January 30 - 4:53 am

  Knowing Nissans the way I do I expected better. The drive was great in the beginning aside for the alternator issue which almost caused me to have a serious accident. I am continuing to be surprised by the amount of mechanical problems Im encountering; Im starting to think it may be a lemon with a little sugar on top. Ive gotten many compliments and inquiries about handling and various other topics.