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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  best car - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By dancingirl16 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  i loved this car

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  Maximas Finest Year yet.. - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By peterb520 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is ready for anything.. if your looking for a car thats under $30k, this would be it. Not only is it tailored beatifuly inside, it also has an array of futuristic features. I would just like to hand it to the engineers that thought of this wonderful design. And by the way.. OH MAN!! is it FAST!!! and just incase your into the performance specifications of the 2002 Maxima.. This 3.5L V6 runs you 0 to 60 in exactly 6 seconds flat. Believe it or not this car beats the Porsche Boxter with about half the retail price. If you are going to invest in a car. Invest Smart. Dont bother with a "name" .

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  Best SUV/Crossover on the Planet - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By jack thompson - October 22 - 2:00 am

  My son and I test drove every SUV and"crossover" vehicle made , and we decided on the new Murano by Nissan. Having driven it,we are more jazzed about it now than before. The power is stunning, the styling is head-turning (we were watching pedestrians watch us), and the thoughtfulness of the interior layout is superb. The key to the whole deal is the 3.5 liter power plant with close to 250 horsepower, wedded to a gearless CVT transmission that conserves fuel. That, along with the front-wheel drive and the sport-mode automatic transmission option makes this thing both super quick and sure-footed.

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  Nissan Hits Jackpot - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By AltimaForever - October 22 - 2:00 am

  After owning an older Altima and having NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER for the 130K miles (sold it above Edmunds.coms estimate for Private Party), I have bought my 2003 2.5 S in October, 2002. Already put 6,000 miles on without ANY problems. Love the powerful 4 cyl., the steadiness at speed on the road and in the curves, the comfort and space inside. The outside design is a winner, leaving Toyota and Honda scrambling at the drawing boards to catch up. Price was fantastic (about $4000 less than any other car in this category). BUY ONE and KEEP IT as long as you need and... ENJOY!

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  Great Value - 2007 Nissan Pathfinder
  By JJS - October 21 - 3:16 pm

  I was totally blown away by this vehicle, for the money it is the best value out there. And the fit and finish of the SUV is incredible.

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  One Sexy Beast - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By Vanessa H - October 20 - 12:50 pm

  During the 3 weeks it took for my insurance company to finalize the payoff of my Honda, I drove a rented 09 Maxima. I loved it so much I HAD to buy one. I love it! Im depressed NO More! Its beautiful inside and out. The seating is extremely comfortable. The ride is very smooth. I dont have the BOSE sound system, but my 8 speakers still sound excellent. I use the bluetooth with my cell phone constantly, its very convenient and much safer than reaching for your phone while driving. Every time I step on the gas pedal, the powerful 3.5 V6 engine just roars. My 2010 Maxima in Tuscan Sun, now named "The Maxi Beast" is so stunning, it demands attention everywhere we go.

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  2003 Nissan Murano - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By deenah - October 20 - 11:13 am

  I have a 2003 that had 20k when I got it in 2007. The entire fuel system failed in my car at 40k in Oct. 2008. I liked the car for some of the + points, but this car has just become worse over time. The driver side visor broke and Nissan wants $350 to fix it, but their own parts employee said that they see this problem all the time/everyday! The car has just under 50k on it, and I think that a problem with the transmission is starting because it loses power from the get go when at a stop. I dont know why Nissan was so shoddy making this car b/c it was suppose to be a unique, sleek SUV.

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  The Prime Truck - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Shulton - October 20 - 9:33 am

  Too much low quality plastic inside easy to break. Engine noise after 4 months, it starts when RPM hits 2200, unable to fix by dealer and not recognize by Nissan as defect. It does not affect performance, but its annoying.

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  Great Truck - 2008 Nissan Frontier
  By Josh - October 19 - 7:40 pm

  Great truck! Very spacious, really comfortable, even on long drives. Shifting is smooth and gas mileage is great for a truck this size.

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  Great experience - 2014 Nissan Sentra
  By tcapp - October 19 - 4:58 pm

  I recently purchased a 2014 Sentra an it has been a pleasure to drive! The interior is stylish and spacious and I like the trunk space. As for the acceleration, I think it is quite good (better) when compared to other similar vehicles I test drove (e.g. Corolla, civic). The sport mode really helps in the acceleration and it actually surprised me after driving other comparable cars. Also, I get a lot of complements on the new exterior look and sighs of envy from others when they see the MPGs. The CVT has been great and I have had no issues with it. It runs great on the highway and in town. This is my third new car and I am very happy with my purchase.