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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  Everything Else Is A Minima - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Canada Max - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Second Maxima. By far and away two of the best cars Ive owned. Fast, quiet, reliable, comforatable and affordable. Understated both inside and out but overstated when your right foot asks for it. Attention to detail is second to none.

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  Maxima SE 6-speed - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By dogwork - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Great car for someone who would prefer a 2 door sports car but must compromise.

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  You have to give this SUV a look! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By TravisStacy - August 20 - 2:00 am

  We test the Honda Pilot, Toyota Hilander, Acura MDX, and Chevy Tahoe. Then we looked at the Murano, and instantly fell in love. Nissan just took a SUV that could have a third row seat and left it out to give more room for the first and second row. My wife and I are tall, and this SUV has tons of leg room in the front and back seats. If you are in the market for a mid to large SUV, you owe it to yourself to at least give the Murano a look. I am concerned out buying a first generation car, but I have a feeling the price will go up on these. Get one before they get HOT.

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  Stollen love - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By Timone - August 20 - 2:00 am

  I did own a 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE... But now with the crime of my town, I dont! I absalutlly loved my Altima, it had the class of a Lexus and the performance of a Mustang GT. I just loved its ability to get up and go, exspecially when challenged by punks in a Camaro Z28... who I left crying in the dust when they found out that it was a stock engine. Coming from a Honda Accord I was not dissapointed one bit by my Nissan. The Bose sound system was unbeatable and the space was extrodinary! I loved that Altima and Im sure who ever stole it is having a blast. They just better hope I dont find them!

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  Excellent Value & Great Performance - 2008 Nissan Sentra
  By Dony Thomas - August 19 - 6:10 am

  When I decided to buy a new car that gives decent fuel economy, good performance and value of money, I chose the 08 Sentra 2.0 S. The CVT is really great to drive as there is no sudden jump into higher RPMs while merging and passing in freeways. The acceleration is very smooth and the 2.0 L, 140 hp engine performs like a champ. Overall, the ride quality is remarkable in freeways & inner roads and this car has got lots of room inside. The cost to own this car is very less compared to similarly equipped Civic, Corolla & Mazda 3.

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  Excelent All Around - 2010 Nissan Murano
  By HFVA - August 18 - 8:10 pm

  Never wanted to own an SUV drove many and the Murano made me change my mind. I got the LE so it was loaded and only added a couple of features like the Nav system cross bars, cargo area cover and splash guards.

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  Little Big One - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By Tonya Fraga - August 18 - 3:46 pm

  Before I ever test drove this car, I climbed in the back seat to see about the leg room. There was tons! This car is roomy both front and back seats, but the outside of this car makes it look tiny. It maneuvers thrive traffic very well and gets into small parking spaces. I love this car!

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  Murano SUV as good as the glass - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Magalhaes - August 18 - 4:16 am

  Murano, the glass, is made in an small island off Venice. Unique, beautiful and high valued, it is a perfect name for Nissans classy urban SUV. After 2 years of owner ship, I have no complaints whatsoever. It put to good use the 3 letters: Sport - accelarates, handles an brakes like a sports car; Utility - plenty of room for an average family of 4; Vehicle - in the sense that it does not look like or handles like a truck. But its style is not for all: it does demand a higher degree of design appreciation than most folks have...

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  Oh Baby! The 350Z - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Connie Baxley - August 18 - 2:16 am

  This is my second Nissan 350Z. It is an awesome car. In it you feel like you own the road. You are truly in sync with your car behind the wheel. When not driving it, you cant wait to get int! It is a sexy car, and it gets lots of looks. Having a bad day? Job driving you crazy? Mad at your spouse? Kids making you pull your hair out?... no problem just go and drive your Z. Gas mileage for me? 23.8 mpg city. On a trip 32 mpg. Not bad for the thrill a Z can give you.

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  Very happy - 2008 Nissan Altima
  By Ryan - August 17 - 1:33 pm

  You wont go wrong with this car! I drove all other major competitors and this one beat them (in price and creature comforts) hands down. I was skeptical of the CVT at first, but I absolutely love it now. I am a big guy and fit in this car very comfortably. Go Nissan!!