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 Car - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Chet - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Oh my god.... i am so glad nissan came out with such a great car the interior looks are ten billion times more attractive then the honda pilot and the toyota highlander, the drive is awesome drives just like the bmw x5 which i test drove before i both the murano, and best of all it comes with 18 inch wheels which makes it look better instead of those small overused 16 inch wheels.

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  Nissan Altima 2.5s - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Monique - February 28 - 10:00 am

  To consumers looking for a safe, fun, reliable and roomy vehicle, choose or test drive a nissan altima. Im telling you this car is so comfortable, drives so smooth and is a sweet looking car for the price. I would reccomend this vehicle to anyone. The gas mileage is excellent and with all the options you cant go wrong.

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  I wont go back to a Honda! - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By finegirl_591 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I love this car!! The ride is totally different from a honda! I have owned two hondas. The altima has so much more power and looks better also.

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  Stepping up from 5sp Lexus cp - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Richard A - February 28 - 10:00 am

  After almost 3 months and 8000 miles this car is a dream come true. Coast to coast without a single problem . The convience of every feature made for a very pleasant journey. At 82 years I am really enjoying the 265hp & auto transmssion

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  THIS SHOULD BE THE ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By LHOU72662 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  STUNNING AUTOMOBILE THAT REALLY TURNS HEADS. PERFORMANCE IS OUTSTANDING. IMMEDIATE POWER UPON REQUEST. MAKES LANE CHANGES IN FAST MOVING TRAFFICE A BREEZE. 265 HP WILL SNAP YOUR HEAD BACK. WHAT A JOY.

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  Thrilling--- Even For An OldGuy - 2009 Nissan 370Z
  By OldGuy - February 28 - 4:00 am

  Bought this car for my 62nd birthday. For a true sportscar,it is reasonably easy for an "adult" to enter and exit. Surprisingly good fuel economy---28 highway mpg, before break-in, when I drove her home on the Interstate. Ive owned them all---from Cadillac to Miata---and I can say that this car is outstanding in all respects. Solid as a rock. Impressive interior quality. Breathtakingly beautiful exterior styling. Refined power and comfortable ride without compromising handling. Nissan stands for (and again delivers) excellent value and promises long-term trouble-free performance with minimal and afforable maintenance requirements. This car will age gracefully and depreciate well.

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  So impressed, bought two of them!!!! - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By jinsatx - February 27 - 11:40 pm

  Dont know where to start. Always liked the Max, bought my first one in 86 (yes, the one with the talking voice) and have liked them ever since. Bought the wife one on Saturday and drove it all weekend. Woke up Monday morning and had to drive my Sebring Convertible to work (different, but not a Max). Woke up on Tuesday morning and decided I had to have one of my own. Tuesday afternoon bought mine. Twins, DPP, sunroof, only mine has the VDC package. Hers, Coral Sand, mine Liquid Silver. In my mind best car for the money Ive ever seen. Traded a 2000 Accord EXL v6 on my wifes car. Dont care what they say, liked the Accord for 5 years, but this Max puts the new Accord to shame.

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  Best Value in the Small Truck Segment - 2014 Nissan Frontier
  By dynamos - February 27 - 5:21 pm

  Purchased our Frontier about a week ago. Very pleased so far. Ours also has the Value package which includes the bed track system, backup camera and automatic a/c. V6 is smooth and powerful, with excellent acceleration. Interior is comfortable, and feels roomier than the new Colorado. Materials are nice and have quality feel. We like the fold up rear seats, which provide a flat floor with the removable storage bins. Storage in the backseat of the Colorado is not removable. Utility track system is well designed and included spray on bed liner-an excellent value. Comparably equipped Chevy would be much more expensive, and the Frontier has a proven record of reliability.

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  Fun to drive - 2010 Nissan Altima
  By Yolanda - February 27 - 1:00 pm

  We replaced a 2003 V-6 Accord Coupe with the Altima 3.5 SR Coupe (with convenience package and leather package). Factory NAV and the 10GB hard drive hold no value for me. The Altima coupe is performance oriented and way more fun to drive than the Accord. For all intents and purposes, the Altima coupe is a two seater with minimal trunk space. I added the wheel locks and trunk nets. It came with mats, trunk pad and sill plates. 1.9% interest rate was a big plus.

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  WOW - this is a car !!!!! - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Larry B - February 27 - 1:36 am

  I read so many reviews leading up to my purchase. I have been leasing cars for my business for 25 years. I have leased Porsches, BMWs, Hondas, Volvo, and Audi. I am a young man stuck in a growing older body. and I thought I had experienced it all in cars. I have even test drove maximas before getting a better car. Man, was I shocked and surprised at what this new Maxima has to offer. speed, power, handling, ride, looks, creature features, it has it all. No complaints here. A very well done ride. I got a fantastic lease, and they delivered it to me 180 miles away. I got the technology, and sport packages, which really loads this ride up. I Love this car - so fun to drive.