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 Maxima Ever! - 2009 Nissan Maxima
  By Nissaner - March 24 - 1:10 pm

  Just picked up my Black on Black Maxima 3.5 SV. Got it with the sport package. A great car in and out ! The redesigned interior screams luxury, while the carbon trim and sport paddle shifters give it a sport look/feel. This car has all the toys! Bluetooth, navigation, heated seats, premium leather, etc. The CVT is smooth and the driving is great. The car is very spacious, even in the back. For the price, it beats the Acura TL easily and gives you a lot more features than you can get in any German import. Car of the year!

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  LOVE MY MAXIMA - 2006 Nissan Maxima
  By buttrnut - March 24 - 2:06 am

  I bought this car off of the showroom floor in Jan of 2008. I love, love, love my Maxima! Exceptional handling (can take a 30 MPH exit ramp at 70 MPH), acceleration is comparable to a V8, sometimes a bit scary... the power is underestimated. The exterior of the car screams "HOT". Sporty, low profile high performance ride. I took an 11 hour trip in this car and really enjoyed the ride, I averaged 29 MPG with a fully loaded trunk. I love the body style and was a little sad to see Nissan succumb to a Camry look for 2009. Hope the new body style grows on me because I would really like to be a Maxima-lifer!

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  Best choice in the same class - 2007 Nissan Murano
  By Chittapoo - March 23 - 8:33 pm

  Own the car for 2.5 years now. Everything works well. Not a single problem. Engine runs well, has enough power for all situation. CVT transmission is smooth. Really happy.

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  Altima hybrid-performance car. - 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
  By HEV Performance car - March 23 - 8:26 pm

  My brother had this car for a while. I drove it too. With really aggressive driving it gets about 30MPG while if you drive normally you will get like 35 combined. This car is almost as fast as 2006 Nissan 350Z, faster then Lexus 330 SUV. So far no problems, the car is reliable including some couple of thousands mountain driving.

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  Great Car pound for pound - 2001 Nissan Sentra
  By DOCEK - March 23 - 6:26 am

  Bought my car near new, with 18000 miles, now with nearly 70000. So far has held up great, but wear and tear is starting to take its toll. needed to change tires, brake pads, a belt and alternator so far... but not too costly overall.

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  5-spd, 5 passenger fun. - 2000 Nissan Maxima
  By Car man - March 23 - 2:00 am

  With a 5 speed tranny and 222 horses working up front, this car is a blast to drive. A bit of body roll but easily fixed with some add-ons. Comfortable cabin, great design and fabulous engine. Its also nice to pull up to a light and take on a kid in a 4 banger who thinks hes ready to be on the fast and the furious.

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  MY BABY - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By Maxima Lover - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new. I now have 180,000 miles on it and all Ive replaced besides normal wear (brake pads, oil, filters, tires) are front and rear rotors and front struts. It has nver failed me. NOT ONCE! The car still rides great and Im having a hard time letting it go in the process of buying a new one.

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  KING - 2003 Nissan Pathfinder
  By sant - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Excellent SUV. Beats competition hands down.

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  dont buy nissan - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By dontbuynissan - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Donot buy nissans new cars in their first year. i have this car for about an year now. 4 months later things start to fall apart in this. first the middle arm rest broke, then the leather covering around the shifter came off. after that the clutch started to make a squeaky sound. this has been a horrible experience for me both with the dealership and the car. also last week the shift knob came into my hand when i was changing gears and almost crashed my car.

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  So far, so good - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Joseph Stewart - March 22 - 10:06 pm

  My 09 Versa 1.8S HB (6-speed stick) is almost a year old and I am quite happy with it. Ive had oil changes and the whole car checked over every 3750 miles per Nissans advice. MPG isnt what Id hoped (my former car, a Dodge Neon with a larger engine and an automatic got 30 mpg), I am getting mid-twenties in town and low thirties on the highway. Which isnt bad anyway, right? I put new custom rims on (black), other than that the car is stock. I am waiting on a part from Nissan to fix the plastic shroud around the battery which inexplicably tore loose somehow. I have had no mechanical issues such as some of those reported here. Once the tach hits 3000 rpm watch out, the car takes off!