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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  Almost perfect - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Gary Knowlton - November 18 - 12:30 pm

  I dont drive my 2005 Nissan Murano much, so I am experiencing low gas milage. I have had this vehicle for almost a year and still only have 4,000 miles on it. It drives like a sports car, but gives me the utility of an SUV. I moved from a Honda Pilot to the Murano for the performance and handling. I like it a lot, and am waiting for a chance to take a long trip so I can see if the gas milage goes up. The Murano is also very quiet on the road, and a great touring vehicle. It sits just high enough to give the driver a good view of whats going on around you, but low enough to be very aerodynamic. I keep looking for things I would have done different, but they have done everything right.

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  Overall best value in full-size SUV - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Bleasdell - November 16 - 2:23 am

  If you simply price compare the full- sized SUVs out there, the Armada is a clear winner in virtually every respect. It is a huge winner in terms of performance and power. The only thing that Expedition or Suburban has over the Armada is room behind seat #3. Well, Nissan clearly decided that more room between each row of seats is more important than room for stuff. And I agree with this decision.

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  Been an outstanding truck - 2001 Nissan Frontier
  By Dg - November 15 - 8:27 pm

  First off I dont write reviews, but i thought I would make an exception. I bought my 2001 ad crew cab used in 2003 with about 30k on the clock. I have it a 3 inch lift and a few other mods, fast forward to 2015 and I still have the truck, 190k now and it still gets compliments and it still runs great. I would not hesitate to drive it anywhere, in fact I still use it to go on road trips across multiple states some times towing a travel trailer, it has held up well. I thought I would write this review because Ive seen people say "Ill never buy a Nissan again" "my toyota never had problems" and that may be true, however I also have a 1990 hardbody that I bought used in 97 and it now is approaching the 300k Mark and other than 2 clutches and a timing chain, its still running great, and i also have two very good friends who both have toyotas, both with 22re and both didnt make it very far past 145k before a rebuild was in order, now Im not digging toyota, I believe they make good vehicles, and quite honestly ,thats what I originally wanted to buy, but I am far happier with my nissans. They have been super reliable, you will usually see the reviews of people who think they have been wronged somehow, and things do happen, but I have owned 4 kids and and they are very reliable. Love my frontier, its been my daily driver for 12 years,and just now the leather seat is starting to wear out, supercharger is still original. It does not leak or burn anything, the gas mileage would be my only complaint. I average 15mpg but I also have larger tires...cant say enough good things about the truck

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  Finally, someone built a fun car again - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Uncle Al in Md - November 14 - 7:10 am

  I waited until I made a good deal on this car before I test drove it. I was not in any way disappointed. Ive been carefully breaking it in over the past few weeks and I like it more each time I drive it. My dogs can get in the back seat easy and seem to enjoy the view when they go for a cruise. All instruments are laid out to use easily. Im going easy the 1st few thousand miles so Im doing things in stages. I like the keyless starting and all the displays. The a/c works fine and the std radio is good. I didnt get the 3 high $$ options but I did get the cheap 3 and the new homelink/compass option mirror - a great deal! Only 3 other cars in 38 years have had me so excited.

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  AWD SE - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Tyler_Canada - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive put almost 2100 miles on it already, and I love it! The transmission is smooth, the engine is quiet or powerful. The handling is incredible, including in adverse weather. Eye-catching exterior design. I really enjoy the interior styling, the aluminum accents the charcoal nicely. Filled with lots of technology for the price.

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  Best Cross-Over SUV On The Market - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Mike995134 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  It has head-turning good looks ... all positive I might add. The interior is spacious, extremely functional, well- constructed, and has a awesome high- tech ambiance. And the seats ... well they are about the best Ive seen. Very, very comfortable. As for the mechancials ... it takes a llittle while to get accusotmed to the CVT tranny but it is sooooooooooooo smooth. And its clearly evident that there are 245 ponies under the hold pulling their own ... this things flat- out screams. I think the Jan article in a major car magazine called it the "Z of SUVs" ... and that is soooooooooooo true.

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  More then an SUV - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By wbury - November 14 - 2:00 am

  We had just purchased our AWD SL Murano during the Presidents Day Weekend. That Monday we picked it up and my wife used it that evening to go to work. We had a relatively large snow storm. It was the vehicles first test for us. We owned an Explorer prior to getting the Murano, so we expected a certain amount of AWD performance. When my wife arrived home that evening from work, she was just elated how well it handled in the snow. She said it cut through the unplowed streets like butter. The ride is so car- like versus the ride we had in the explorer. We love, not to mention the head turns we get when we drive it around.

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  2010 LE Frontier Review - 2010 Nissan Frontier
  By John P. Mundy - November 13 - 11:16 pm

  I am very pleased with my 2010 Frontier LE Crew Cab. Ive driven full sized trucks but wanted a mid size. The Frontier and Tacoma were the two I looked at. The Toyotas offer very few cabin comforts while the Nissan offers many added options. Mine has 18" tires/wheels, leather, power windows/doors, heated seats, XM radio, bluetooth. It is comfortable and has plenty of power. I am totally satisfied and happy with my truck. Id recommend anyone to purchase this truck. It rides like a full size truck.

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  Love it - 2014 Nissan Sentra
  By vlkins - November 13 - 2:06 pm

  Ive had this car for almost 6 months. It has driven me back and forth from SC to Ohio no problem. I really like the sport mode, makes the acceleration comparable to my 04 Camry I had prior. Only downfall is the aforementioned rubber band effect with CVTs. It takes a second to accelerate and get where I need to be unless I floor it, which I really dont like to do. Ive used eco mode and its been fine, no issues. There were a few times when in sport mode that the RPMs stayed fairly high while decelerating. Ive had no issues, great gas mileage and its a beautiful car inside and out. For the money I paid, Im very pleased and I got exactly what I expected for the price.

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  sporty suv for mom! - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By AK - November 13 - 12:56 pm

  Incredible car, fun to drive, great handling, second row seat has generous leg room, large cargo area, leather is soft and supple - added wood trim kit - very rich and warm interior, center console has spots for cell phone, change & cup holders - all hide away nicely when not in use.