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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  Awesome SUV with power - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By mark324 - January 11 - 10:00 am

  By far the Nissan Pathfinder is a true SUV. Plenty of comfort and style.

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  Lot of BANG for the BUCK - 2003 Nissan Xterra
  By BigJbren - January 11 - 10:00 am

  I test drove many SUVs in this price range and the standard features on the Nissan Xterra XE make it amazing. AC, CD, Roof Rack, Running Boards, ect. It comes with alot!! To me the Xterra gives a very nice ride, great handling, and is very practical with many hooks in the back to tie down items, and i love how the rear seats fold flat!! GREAT VEHICLE

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  FUTURISTIC PRACTICALITY - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By TOMJA3 - January 11 - 10:00 am

  FOR SOMEONE WHO HAD DOUBTS ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE AS A "RETOR-FUTURISTIC" DESIGN CONCEPT AND AN INNOVATIVE (ALL THOUGH TRIED AND TRUE OLD-CONTINENT" POWER TRANSFER CONCEPT WITH THE NEW CVT TRANSMISSION, I AM TRULY IMPRESSED. SMOOTH, QUICK, AND CONSISTENT ACCELERATION, EXREMELY COMFORTABLE SEATING, GREAT VISIBILTY, THE BACK SEAT OF A LIMO, AND THE ROOM FOR LUGGAGE, GOLF CLUBS, GROCERIES AND THE DOG (ALL AT ONE TIME!), MAKE THIS THE PERFECT VEHICLE FOR THE MULTI-FACETED NEEDS AND USES OF TODAYS DRIVER, WHETHER INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY-ORIENTED. GOOD JOB, NISSAN!

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  Solid Performer - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By ricardoa - January 11 - 10:00 am

  The Murano is a solid choice in the mid- size SUV ranks. Nissan has got it right with the aggressive styling that makes most other SUVs look boring, ample power, excellent fit and finish, and the amazing CVT un-transmission that feeds power continuously, with no hesitation.

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  Fun to drive and reliable - 2008 Nissan Xterra
  By DSuteu - January 11 - 8:33 am

  I live in New England, and used to own a Ford Mustang :(. After a really bad snow storm last December, I decided that owning a 4X4 vehicle is a MUST, so I purchased the Xterra. What a fun SUV to drive! Coming from a smaller car I was worried about its size and visibility, but after only a week of driving it, it felt like Ive been driving it forever. It is fast on highway, and quick to respond in city traffic; smooth acceleration, great braking, not to mention the 4X4 performance in snowy conditions. Its gas mileage improved significantly from about 14mi/g to almost 17mi/g (I now have 3k miles on it). I truly like it!

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  Love my Xterra - 2004 Nissan Xterra
  By xterraowner - January 11 - 8:33 am

  I bought this new in 2004 and now have 67,000 miles in 2010. Love my Xterra just like it was brand new. Never any major problems, have serviced on regular maintenance schedule and its driven like a charm. Would buy this vehicle again and again. Love the 4WD when I need it which isnt often, but when I do I am so happy. This is an excellent vehicle to own!

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  Poor craftmanship - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By Neil W - January 10 - 7:30 pm

  I purchased my vehicle in 4/2004 and I must say, I was quite happy with the performance of the vehicle. In terms of driveability,The car handles corners very well, overtaking was never a problem performance I would say was superb But I had a few problems with my vehicle and the list are as follows. At around 300 miles I encountered my first problem with my right front strut. It began leaking fluid.The front rotors was warp.The strut was replaced and the rotor resurfaced. At around 4500 miles I noticed waterleaking into the terior from the sun roof. The front drivers doors and passengers would touch if the driverss door opened simultaneously with the passenger door.

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  Nissan - 2007 Nissan Altima
  By blknite99 - January 10 - 6:20 pm

  This is my 3rd Nissan I really love them all. I still have my 2nd Nissan which is a truck. I would get another if and when they come out with another body style. The only thing I dont like is that it doesnt have some of the features that was install or come standard with the car is signal light in the side mirror, and the on star. Overall the car is a wonderful car. Drives very well on the highway and city. For a 4 cycle is has a lot of power.

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  Not Happy! - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Dawn - January 10 - 4:26 am

  I bought a 2004 Nissan Altima in June of 2005. September of 05 the fuel pump went out on it and was supposedly fixed and covered under my warranty. My car had to be towed to the dealership. In May of 06, I had a transmission fluid leak which took 4 trips into the dealership for them to find exactly where the leak was. This was also covered under my warranty. Now, 1 1/2 weeks ago, my car failed to start again. Once the dealership checked it out, they stated it was the crank position sensor. This is not covered by my warranty and its going to cost us $140. I am so unhappy with Nissan and have called the Nissan customer service to request they pay for the problem, they wont return my calls.

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  2007 nissan murano se - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By fredo - January 9 - 10:20 am

  aammmazingg!!!!!!! so quick and fast with an nice handling trust me best choice in is segment