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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  Value & Performance - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By nigel - May 22 - 10:00 am

  A great value car which I bought to replace my aging 1992 honda civic. I was going to buy another honda but only got attitude from dealers. Found much better treatment at nissan and a great product. I think this is the best looking car in its class. The se model offers more power, handling and brakes. Alot of others here have comments about the poor paint quality - to date I have had no trouble.

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  Nice job, Nissan - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Hithere - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive been wanting to get a Maxima ever since I read a review about the fantastic engine it has several years ago. I have not been disappointed. The powerplant in this car seems to be frustrated at my holding it back while it wants to burn rubber like a maniac. I bought practically the base model, it it has great standard features.

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  Great car for good price - 2000 Nissan Altima
  By ThePh@ntom - May 22 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used and I am very impressed. It has plenty of power, with 4 adults and luggage I merged effortlessly on the highway. Plenty of room for those 4 adults as well, better than my brothers Ford Escape. Very large trunk can swallow anything you toss in there.

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  cheap seats - 2002 Nissan Xterra
  By jana - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had over 20 different cars and these are by far the WORST!!!! The foam is like a marshmellow. If I would have known how bad I would have never bought the car and probably will not keep the car...I cant believe the in dash ash tray is an accessory so you have a hole in the dash that looks like crap.. Im really disapointed with this car, I know its not a luxury car but please....Oh by the way this is not my first suv its my third...

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  Stop Looking, This is it!! - 2008 Nissan Armada
  By Chris - May 22 - 5:43 am

  After some long thought I chose the Armada over a Tahoe. After owning a week I wonder why I ever cosidered a Tahoe. Fully loaded this baby comes with options that would have cost $5000 more than a Tahoe. Everything fits perfect, rides better than our Suburban, has more power. My only problem is why I did not buy one sooner.

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  Couldnt Be Happier - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Patrick Hand - May 22 - 2:10 am

  What can i say. I looked at every kind of car BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Acura, and many other cars. For the money and quality you cant beat the Max. For acceleration it killed all the other cars that I tested. In a little over 5 months I have put 7200 miles on the car and no problems with it at all. The sound system is awesome along with the display of the navigation Def get the navigation it is worth it.

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  Convert from a Tacoma-30k miles and going strong - 2012 Nissan Frontier
  By lasvegas777 - May 22 - 12:06 am

  I have the leather pro-4x model with every option available. The off road system with locker is fantastic. Thing is very nimble off road. The cargo system is the best from a factory that I have seen. It is very quite going down the highway. Is the right size living in the city and playing off road. I have taken my son and a friends kids all in car seats and have plenty of room in the back seat. Brakes and the motor feel very solid and have never let me down. On highway at 75-80 expect around 18-19. Around town Las Vegas is 15 mpg. Towing the max 6k weight will take you down to 7-9 mpg going though mtns. No warrenty issues and just oil changes to date.

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  Exceptional Car - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By Kevin - May 21 - 8:06 pm

  This is the most remarkable car I have owned in the past 30 years. I bought used in 2001 with 40K on the clock. Since then I have put 195K more miles on it without any major repairs. The engine and tranny continue to purr. Only had to replace the wearable parts (brakes and oil changes). Finally replaced the exhaust for the first time at 190K. Needed an alternator at 180K.

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  2nd Opinion - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By Idaho Opinion - May 21 - 3:36 pm

  After sitting in the seats of several other vehicles (since writing my first review of the Murano), including the Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Equinox, Ford Edge and Honda Crosstour, I have come to the conclusion that car seats in general are now being made much more firm than in the past. The Muranos seats are better than all of the above. The smooth, quiet ride makes driving this vehicle a pleasure. I still think the front of the seats could be set to allow them to drop closer to the floor. Daytime running-lights would be nice. Driving in stop & go traffic does not produce a very smooth transmission response, with it constantly shifting in and out of 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive.

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  Owner Review - 2011 Nissan Altima
  By david HARRINGTON - May 21 - 1:32 pm

  Great value