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:

• 

  SUV for short women - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By pammypie - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I am only 5 feet tall, but this SUV with pedals that extend to the driver makes driving it safer (dont have to worry about being so close to the air bag)but comfortable too! With its lowered chasis I dont need a step or side board to "climb" into it. Yet, its eighteen inch wheels still sits you up above the road like most other SUVs. I like this car better than any other I have owned.

• 

  Pleasure to Drive - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Grizz - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle to drive, plenty of power... I have to double check my speed, I cant tell if Im going between 50 to 80 MPH on the highway. Really enjoy the navigation system, really coo

• 

  GOOD LOOKING TRUCK - 2004 Nissan Frontier
  By sierravera - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck so far no problems at all the only complaints I have is the MPG!! is really bad for a 4 cyl. I only get like 20/22 miles per gallon and is a 15gal. tank Im only able to put 12 gallons and I get 283 miles the most before I have to gas up again, wind noise in the cabin, the door seals are bad and you hear the wind noise,the rear seat area is really small, and engine is a bit noisy it consumes al least 1/2 qtr. of oil when reaches 3,000 miles, mine has 3100 miles on it and the oil chg, is due @ 3,750 miles, maybe is because is not broken in yet, Ill keep my fingers cross til its first oil change.and beyond that.;)

• 

  Government Offical - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By plumber - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I guess the first thing that sold me was the Design of the Exterior as well as the Interior. Then the performance of the Z was what I was looking for. Let me tell you this Car will bring the little boy out of you. When I researched the Ouality and Reliability then I was sold. I didnt even test drive the Car because I new it was what I wnated.

• 

  What a Kick! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Tammy2fast - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This is just an awesome car, 265 HP is great, and luxury is unbelievable new console design looks like an airplane & computer. Baby seat in back, yet as front passenger I can still lean all the way back with lots of leg room, very comfy!

• 

  Im sooooo mad! - 2006 Nissan Sentra
  By Jennifer Lin - August 12 - 1:06 am

  How is it that I need a new engine? Its 4 years old, I bought it brand new and it only has 75,000 miles. I am anal about taking my car in for service and have never missed one. I had an 85 Sentra in high school and thats the reason I bought a Sentra again. They obviously dont build them like they used to. I will never buy a Nissan again. Nissan, youre dead to me now.

• 

  Great car - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By maxdriver - August 11 - 7:30 pm

  I really enjoy driving this car, my only complaint is the amount of road noise that can be heard in the car.

• 

  Good Value - 2005 Nissan Quest
  By jagged30 - August 11 - 12:16 pm

  We bought the van in March and currently have 7500 miles on it. My wife traded it for a 2001 Chrysler Town/Country. The power and ride are very good - almost sporty - and it is comfortable, but the reliability is questionable and build quality needs improvement. We just got it back from the shop for a bad transmission control module, which was replaced under warranty; service was very good. However, the drivers storage hinge is broken, the a/c vents have fallen from the ceiling, silver finish on the steering wheel and shifter show wear - as does the material on center stack. It also looks like it will be hard to clean. However, it was significantly much cheaper than the Sierra/Odyssey.

• 

  Hate to drive, Love this car - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Laivdoc - August 11 - 10:00 am

  I dont like to drive, so to compensate for my distaste for this essential part of life, I pamper myself with a car that makes it tolerable, or in this case downright fun. I have the SE 5- speed, having previously owned 3 Nissan Z cars and Ford Probe GT. The last two had been 5-speeds as well. Believe it or not, the Maxima outperforms them all. The shifter is a dream, the clutch neither too heavy nor too light, and the power is a blast. Handling is superb. The seats are very comfortable and the sound system is as good as any factory system Ive heard. When this car finally bites the dust, Ill get another 5-speed SE to replace it.

• 

  BAD CAR!!!! - 2002 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Joe Farmer - August 11 - 10:00 am

  I DONT CARE WHAT EVRYONE ELSE SAYS!! THIS CAR SUCKS!!!!!!!!! Ive already taken the pile of glue in 15 times in the past 3 months. The transmissions suck. And theyre the best part of the car! I almost threw up the car rocked so much and was amazed at how bad the gas milage was. I Cant belive this thing comes from NISSAN!!