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:

• 

  Happy happy Wife And Husband - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Gotta A Happy Wife! - November 23 - 12:20 am

  My wife and I have driven our Rogue for over 6 months now and Ive never been happier about a purchase than I am about this one. I had owned a Jeep Wrangler before this that was terrible on gas and this was a pleasant change. I avg. around 30mpgs on the highway and around 25mpgs around town. You cant ask for anymore out of an SUV then that can you? Road trips are fun and more comfortable than ever! I love this car! I driven the Rav4 and the Honda CRV and neither can touch what my Rogue provides me.

• 

  Does NOT give more than 27mpg - 2011 Nissan Juke
  By 2011juke - November 22 - 3:03 pm

  This is a great compact car to drive but it is an expesive car to drive. Starting with : Takes Supreme GAS, although the dealers will tell you that it is optional. My driving is 90% hwy, always on the ECO setting, and i coast as much as i can to get the best milage that i can, which is 27mpg. I just took it in for the fuel recall now im getting 25mpg!!!!!!

• 

  happy with my first car - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By nursebarbie - November 22 - 11:50 am

  This is my first car, so far 900 miles/3 mo. I live in the city. It is fun to drive in the city and on the highway. I dont know if this is my doing or not, but my breaks are already squeaking (?!) Breaking is not as tight as I would like but steering and maneuvering is fun, esp. for its size. Engine is loud but its not a bad thing in my opinion. Its pretty easy to parallel park. Center console is nicely set up (and BOSE rocksss) but knobs do seem a little cheap. Back seat is smaller than other cars in its class. Trunk is huge. Sharp car for young people and/or those who want an affordable fun car.

• 

  Nissan Quest 2004 - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Matt Ferdock - November 22 - 9:56 am

  We are lifelong Nissan customers, but after this car we are switching. The problems weve had include 2 new sets of tires in 50,000 miles, wheel alignments every other time we change the oil, leaking roof, leaking driver and passenger door seals, left front wheel clunks when turning hard left and the car "floats" when its loaded down. This last issue is particularly troubling because when the car has 4 men in it and suitcases, it does not handle the road well. Turns and bumps cause it to fishtail and you truly feel like the car is floating. Very disappointing.

• 

  only problems - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By marian TIGANU - November 22 - 6:40 am

  The car look great but the praise stops there. I spent over $5000 in repairs. ABS replaced (@2500), bearings wheel ($1000) axle shaft ($500), fuel rail ($450) to name just a few. I spend more time dealing with the problems of this car than with any other car I owned, and I have quite a few The dealership service was very unprofessional and rough, All in all I wouldnt recommend this car to anybody to buy.

• 

  Great Truck - 2000 Nissan Xterra
  By Niceynice00 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Im had the xterra for 5 years, 93K miles. So far so good. Nothing has ever broken down, and it still runs like new. I cant ask for anything more. Go anywhere capability, good wear on the brakes. Brakes are awsome. Changed the oil every 2500 miles, using castro syntec 5w50. I cant say enough about the build quality. A little bouncy on the but upgraded the suspension with a tokico kit and it rides well. GREAT CAR111

• 

  Love my Big Baby Blue Buggy - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Pat Hightower - November 21 - 10:00 am

  We were searching for a mid-size mini-van that would seat 6 comfortably for travel. The Quest was the answer --and there was a baby blue in stock --my favorite color. Although I had just had my Honda serviced ($250) one hour before, when I saw the Quest and drove it, my mind was made up. I have not been disappointed! Have made several trips with daughter and family. Plenty of room for all and our luggage and portable refrigerator! My six year old grandson gave it the name B4 (see title of review.) In the past I have owned several cars, including a red Jaguar X12 convertible --and the B4 is still my favorite!

• 

  Do not buy the 2004 Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By mike,ATHENSGA - November 21 - 10:00 am

  We bought this van in Jan 04 after the first couple of weeks the quality began its decline,parts began to loosen and fall off, horn died, handle stuck,handle broke and the sliding door drivers side rattles since the beginning and they cannot fix. We are very dissatisfied with this van and Nissan has not made any effort to help. We have now spent a lot of time and energy going back and forth to have it fixed and the problems only continue. I am stuck but I write this to save others what I am going through...PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF A LOT OF TROUBLE AND DO NOT BUY THIS VAN!!!!!

• 

  great car - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By wwlloyd - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Car is excellent. Handles well, transmission is smooth and easy. We have taken the car on several trips and really enjoyed the comfort and economical gas mileage. We live in a canyon which receives substantial snow in the winter. With the addition of snow tires, the Murano goes up the canyon without effort, even when there is a foot of new snow on the road.

• 

  Not bad for the first model year! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Balboa - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I am 64, 225 lbs. I find the Murano to be very forgiving for a person my size. Not only the legs, but the head room, even with the sunroof! There, you loose two inch of head room. Now I do not have to slide down in my seat in order to keep my head off the roof. I have had people come up to me and want to know what kind of vehicle that was, and there like....Oh, that is what the Murano looks like. They are impressed with the looks. Not too big and not too small, it has that look, like it means business.