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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  The Big Girl Truck - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Sharon Curry - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I love my new truck. The size is prefect to transport my daughters wheelchair & take my other 2 children were they need to go.

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  its ok to new to say more - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Oheavvyhand - August 30 - 2:00 am

  only have had for a week. The big v8 is really what a suv this size needs.It runs like a striped ape but look out the 13 miles to the gallon in the city is more like 9.Im told by the dealer that will change as the suv breaks in. lets hope so.The boses sound system is a big plus. lots of room for everything and everybody.I like this suv. Just not the gas mileage.

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  Great combination of all driving factors - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By jkh - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car--styling, performance, reliability, cost to own. It eats up miles without any problem or fuss and runs the canyon roads with aplomb. It is hard to find a comparable car out there that combines all of the attributes of the Maxima at its price point. Leave your ego behind, save $10- 15K, and enjoy driving.

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  Love my Altima - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By NissanNurse - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I shopped for a car for approximately 3 months, test-driving many different types of cars. I drove Buicks, Camrys, Plymouths, Dodges, and VWs. My price range was $20K or less, out the door and I was a cash buyer. The Nissan had all that I wanted in a car, (keyless entry, auto, CD) and had plenty of get up and go, even with a 4 cylinder. I couldnt be happier.

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  Heater - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By Michael deCarolis - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I did not like the heater. The windows kept fogging up on me and I had to put the defroster on full blast to clear them. At times it seemed to blow cold air on my legs also. This is a rental car but I had it for 8 days. Nice car to drive though and would but one except for the heater nuisance.

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  WORST CAR IVE EVER HAD - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By Worst car ever - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the worst car ever. 4 recalls so far. Uncomfortable, small, cramped, weak engine, slow, unreliable. Broke down 4 times. In process of filing complaint with BBB. And Nissan doesnt want to help at all. Hopefully this will help some poor fool to not make the same mistake as me. STAY AWAY!!!

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  Nice Change of Pace - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Calvin the Bold - August 30 - 2:00 am

  We bought the mid-priced (SL) version with the seat package, etc. We were Grand acaravan owners who became disillusionsed with low American car (Chrysler) quality. Overall we really like the minivan. Great accelleration & handling. We get a lot of compliments on the styling Downers are lower than advertised gas mileage, tinny sounding doors, non- split third row seat, and no backlighting on steering wheel cruise & radio controls.

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  Surprised by how much I loved my Quest - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By Sports Mom - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I had 132,000 miles on my Pathfinder and figured Id get a 2nd vehicle in order to keep my Pathfinder longer. I looked at a few other vehicles, including the Pacifica and because of the Nissan quality, the dealership (specifically the service dept.) and the fact that I liked the style, I went with the Quest. Wasnt sure if Id like a mini van, but after 1 1/2 weeks and 500 mile - I have to admit I love it. Everyone who has been in it loves it - even my daughters teenage friends think its coo.

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  murano,great suv - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By harveyg - August 30 - 2:00 am

  like the car a lot. runs very strong. good rideing, holds the road well in all kind of weather. lots of room. lots of bells and toys. o.k. car.

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  BEST OF THEM ALL - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By BDHART - August 30 - 2:00 am

  My Nissan Murano is probably the best looking vehicle ever created at any price. I have had my Murano over 14 months and people still come up to me or fall out of their cars to see who makes it. I have owned Nissans all my life. From a pick up at 20 years old, putting 220,000 mile on the original engine ( and still was going strong)I have encounterd vertually no mechanical problems with any of my Nissans. Nissan is so far superior to Toyota or Honda in both mechanics and design, but so sadly overlooked.(maybe until now) I could drive anything I want and my Murano is it!