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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  CUBE N IT.. Memoirs from a CUBEAHOLIC... - 2009 Nissan Cube
  By CUBISM - September 14 - 12:03 pm

  Absolutely the most amazing Retro"Mini Van" this 50 yr old has ever driven with special thks to Cash4clunkers..Added all the toys to my Black SL..Gnormous,SL Preferred,Int Designer Packages,Rear cargo, 16"Alloys-Grey..Head turner at every corner,very comfortable to sit in and drive,handles corners with ease,tons of space, eager to leave them at the green light.Currently we have 3 trucks incl Element EX and Grand Caravan.Considered and researched Kia Soul,ScionXb Prirus,Element SC...One drive in the CUBE and I was sold..All the bells and whistles disco lights,shag rug Incredible stereo with all controls on steering wheel,feels like Im driving an Infinity/Lexus.. A must have for any AARPr!

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  okay - 2005 Nissan Sentra
  By CharlieGates - September 13 - 10:23 am

  This car is really fun to drive, but the day after I bought this car i washed it, and both the front bumper, and the rear bumper are already loose. Im afraid if i try and dry the bumpers they might fall off. The back seat is VERY small. The driver and front passanger have to have their seats all the way forward to make the rear passanger even fit. I dont like the dash because after about a year or two in the arizona heat the entire plastic interior is going to start cracking and falling off. Also if you put your foot into it, the engine seems like it doesnt know what to do.

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  2008 Nismo - 2008 Nissan 350Z
  By Boz - September 13 - 5:50 am

  Best handling car period with traction control on or off. I love this car. Makes me smile with every drive. Super tight and well built. I have owned many Porsches and BMWs. The only thing that handles better is a M3 or GT3 and the Corvette Z06. The Nismo could have a bit more power as the 306hp V6 is a bit short in torque and pull. That said, for $30-35K this is the one in my garage.

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  Great Driving Car - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By AlmostaCowboy - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I drive over 30k miles a year and love this car. Drove from Cal to Tenn and got 28+mpg@70+mph. Best stereo in the industry. GLE is much smoother than my wifes 99 GXE with same tires. GREAT car for the money.

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  Yukon/Tahoe Fighter!? - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By murphy1213 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Nissan could have done a better job of marketing this vehichle. All of the Armadas competition has some sort of financing incentive, it is hard to justify spending the amount of money on this vehicle when you could get a yukon with zero percent financing and similar equipment. The main reasons I bought the Armada over the Yukon; First reason was the safety features that it has over the yukon. The roll over protection is a big deal that none of the competition offers. Second; fold flat third row seating, there is way too much wasted space in the yukon and it is near impossible to get into the third row. Finally engine and transmission.

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  Fun to Drive but some bad luck - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Scottyb - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Murano since September, and it is very fun to drive. It is plenty powerful and it seems to me that it has a nice ride. I have had some issues with the windows creaking and clicking over rough roads and when I turn corners. The dealer has worked on this problem 3 times to no avail. I hope this gets fixed or I will have to ask for another one. This started only two weeks after I bought it. The other issue is not the dealers fault. The hood had bad paint. It was a lighter shade of silver on the front right of the hood. They are repainting it as I write this review. Very good otherwise.

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  A 10 all around - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By KarrieAnn - September 13 - 2:00 am

  If you like the height of a SUV but the comfort of a car then the Murano is right for you! It is on a car chasis and drives like a car. The Murano is very open and spacious. It has more leg room in the 2nd row than most cars do! Plus theres tons of cargo room. Everything from the Leather to the Bose stereo to the dual climate control is of the highest quality. Plus it is so fun to drive! You have a huge engine but you still get excellent gas mileage. Plus this is the first time I havent been afraid to drive in the rain. The Murano has VDC and traction control to keep you going in all weather conditions.

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  Awesome Drive - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Angus - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Everyone wants to talk about the car! Awesome!

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  No mid life crisis; just have style! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Billa - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Excellent sports car! The Z Rocks! Design/shift combo are exhilarating to watch and feel as I attentively look ahead for a corner...Had vettes and other muscle cars before, but this is the best! If I must pay the prices of todays auto market to commute to and fro, itll be in something that balances class, style, looks, performance, fuel economy and an incentive to get out of bed and go. The 350 Z delivers all that and more... MB > MC! Business minds understand!

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  Nissan Maxima - Best car ever - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By tinacomstock - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive had several high end vehicles in the past, several Mercedes models, BMW, Pantera, Datsun, Cougar, GTO Pontiac, Jeep Cherokee, Camaro, Mitsubishi, Toyota, but never had one that combines it all..... I am happy with Nissan because it lets me have fun and allows me to go to a formal function in it too. Great stabillity, great maneuverability, great acceleration and nice/comfortable roomy interior. Cant ask for more... yes, before purchasing; I tried the new cadillac CTX, BMW, Jaguar, Benz, Volvo and fell in love with Nissan. Im glad the dealer let me take it home to think about buying it. He is confident, I will not give it back to him.