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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  I CALL MY CAR - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By D JONES - November 16 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY SECOND MINIVAN, WHAT A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS ONE AND THE LAST ONE. THE QUEST HAS SUCH GREAT STYLE I GET COMPLIMENTS ALL THE TIME ON HOW GREAT MY VAN LOOKS, SOME PEOPLE EVEN ASK ME WHAT KIND OF "CAR" IS THIS. I LOVE THE WAY THE SEATS GO UP AND DOWN WITH SUCH EASE, TOTALLY UNLIKE MY OTHER VAN. OF COURSE, THE AUTO DOORS ARE OUT OF THIS WORLD!! LOVE THE GEAR SHIFT ON THE CONSOLE. CANT WAIT TO SEE THE 2005 AND SEE WHAT CHANGES YOULL MAKE IF ANY. THANKS FOR AN OVERALL GREAT VAN.

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  wow - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By toyman1 - November 16 - 2:00 am

  my murano is fun to drive. it has power, features and class.

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  Nissan hits the mark the first time out! - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By pistonpete - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This truck is living up to the hype. After clocking over 300 miles in the first week the impression of quality craftsmanship is what I take from the Titan experience. Power is strong anywhere in the RPM range and the transmission is so smooth, the only way you can tell it is shifting is by the louder growl from the engine. Gas mileage through the first 300 miles was 13.32 mpg but I expect that to improve once the vehicle is broken in. Best advice I can give is that if you are in the market for a new truck, try them all out and choose what you like best which in many cases, if given the chance, will be the Titan.

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  Great Truck - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By chiano - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This truck is awesome better that the F150 and it has lots of power. Nissan did a awesome job. I got a SE with the tow package, DVD, and the soundsystem from Rockford Fosgate. The mirrors look great on the truck and sound from the system is great and they are a must have.

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  Nice ride - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Fastanfurious911 - November 16 - 2:00 am

  The car has alot of power for a six cylinder. The handling is nice. For $36.000 Thousand I got all I wanted with the car remote starter, nice 18 inch rims.

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  2005 Nissan Frontier LE 4X4 - 2005 Nissan Frontier
  By Wld Bill - November 15 - 7:33 pm

  This is the second Nissan truck that I have owned. I think that Nissan has out done it self this time. I am really impressed with the engineering and craftsmanship that has been put into this truck!

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  Love my Altima! - 2016 Nissan Altima
  By Darlene Desjardins - November 15 - 2:08 am

  2016 Altima is too new to comment on some of the above areas. So far I love it. Leasing for 3 years.

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  Best sub-compact - 2009 Nissan Versa
  By scribdraw - November 15 - 1:16 am

  The Versa is by far the best sub-compact on the road. Seats are thick and supportive and handling is great. Back seats dont lay as flat as the fit, but are much more comfortable and tons more leg room/head room. Cool features like bluetooth and I-key. Good price.

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  Another Master Piece From Nissan - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By vick - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I have Infiniti 1999 I30 and just bought 2003 Maxima GLE with Meridian Edition. Test Drove Lexus, BMW, Mercedez and fould MAxima GLE to be the best car for the bucks. Got it for 27,800 with all the options. Cannot be happier than any other car. Youve got to go with MAXIMA.

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  WOW - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By MaximA+ - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Driving this car is a pleasure. Lots of vehicle for the money. Test drove the Avalon which did have a better ride, but cost lots more and had less gadgets. Very happy with this purchase.