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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  1995 Maxima GLE PERFECTION!!!!!!!! - 1995 Nissan Maxima
  By chrissy35 - October 27 - 8:40 pm

  Runs and drives as if youre on a cloud! VERY smooth and quiet engine and transmission. NO problems, what- so-ever. A pleasure to own. I bought this car with 139,000 on it and youd never know it. Just routine maintenance. Parts (when they do need replacing) are a little more expensive than american, but is well worth it. These car will last forever. I will drive this car until the wheels fall off! Nissans Rock!!

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  Do Not Buy Nissan - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Semirhage - October 27 - 6:16 am

  At 59,151 my transmission went out. The Murano has a very expensive CVT transmission and I was told the repair would cost over $6,000. The transmission should have been covered under the powertrain warranty (60 months, 60k miles) -but I was apparently 1 month past the 60 month mark. Nissan jerked me around for 2 weeks pretending they might honor the warranty (while I racked up rental car bills) but in the end they made it quite clear they did not care about me or the vehicle they built. After reading about other problems with the CVT, I think a recall is in order, but Nissan doesnt care.

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  Murano owner since 2003 - 2009 Nissan Murano
  By mryptno - October 27 - 5:56 am

  I am a great advocate of the Nissan Murano. Been driving one since 2003 and have no performance or reliability issues with the car. However I was disappointed when I purchased my 2009 SL and I could not get an iPod integration kit installed or a remote start kit installed from Nissan. I would assume these are common accessories today, especially the iPod. Just disappointed in Nissans decision to exclude their mid range Murano owners.

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  Love it so far. - 2010 Nissan Versa
  By jeffrn - October 27 - 1:15 am

  I bought this car used. It has 40k miles on it but feels and looks new (kudos to previous owner). This car is a huge step up from my former SUV which as we all know was clumsy and a gas hog. This car is like a toy for me. It zips when I need it to and stops when I need it to. Corners like a champ and is full of features. Excellent car for the price.

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  funnnnnn - 2006 Nissan 350Z
  By bart - October 26 - 7:33 pm

  great all around sports car that does everything well. I have the Grand Touring model. The ride is good, power is linear and predictable, trans (auto) is smooth and shifts up and down well, interior is functional and fits well. Hey, this is a sports car after all, things are tight but not uncomfortable and I am 62.

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  Titan Top Truck - 2005 Nissan Titan
  By Gary Lambert - October 26 - 7:30 pm

  First New Vehicle I have owned, previous vehicle 84 720 Nissan 200,000 miles in 20 years. Titan runs and handles great, 15,000 miles so far. Great performance and gas mpg, smooth shifting, great ride. Love it!

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  Affordable Dream Car - 2006 Nissan Altima
  By thebaker_7 - October 26 - 5:00 pm

  This car is quick, out performs small V8s and almost every other NA V6 on the market. Stylish, comfortable, High resale value, rare (only made it 05 and 06), great gas mileage for a V6. Fully loaded. And I bought it used, with a Nissan Certified Pre-Owned warranty that was longer than the original Nissan warranty. Super satisfied!!!

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  I Love To Drive Again! - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Sonja - October 25 - 11:33 pm

  My new Altima turns heads. Really. Smooth quiet ride. I can handle nastly midwest weather with confidence. This is my third Nissan, so I know relability is a non-issue.

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  Overall great car - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Troy - October 25 - 7:06 pm

  We replaced our Ford Expedition with the Murano. We love the trade off, size for style and comfort. We also enjoy the increase in gas milage.

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  I think Im in love with this thing. - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By russellusm - October 25 - 3:23 pm

  I love the overall feel of the car, inside and out. I owned an 03 Altima and I must say that Nissan has stepped it up a notch the the design of this car. The interior is very plush and the control are nice and simple. The instrument cluster is nicly laid out (not too busy). The acceleration is pretty good for a grocery getter. I have gotten a lot of looks. This car turns heads. Good job Nissan.