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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  Like it - 2002 Nissan Altima
  By Drifter - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Smooth family sedan lines, hot muscle-car performance. Can tell what brand of auto your driving at a glance. roomy inside, not outside.

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  Comments - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By R. B. Privett - September 22 - 2:00 am

  This is our first mini-van. We have found the Nissan mini-van to be everything we wanted, lots of room, power responsive, style, and fuel mileage. As seniors, we wanted a vehicle in which we do not have jam everything into a trunk of a car. We chose the middle of the three styles as we felt that the additional cost for the add-ons were not worth it to us, maybe for younger buyers. Remember that this mini-van will require drivers to be more familiar with the length of the van and the short nose when driving, parking and turning.

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  Enjoying our 19th Datsun/Nissan - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By pauluspetrus - September 22 - 2:00 am

  The Murano is our 19th Nissan and is the best to date in the non-sports category (we thoroughly enjoyed our 280Z and 280ZX). Living in the North, we need a 4 season car and this is the best blend Ive seen and the best value in its class. Ive read some slight negatives from some writers, but I personally vote the Murano "Two Thumbs Up."

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  MuranoAdvisRN - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By AdvisRN - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a Pathfinder for my Nissan Murano and am very impressed with the quality of Nissan vehicles. I previously helped my Mother buy a Nissan Murano a year ago. We liked it so much that I bought the exact same model (but with AWD) and even the same color this year. I love driving my Murano and get complements on it all the time.

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  My Wifes car - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Steven E. Helsel - September 22 - 2:00 am

  The Murano is really a sports car in disguise and is fun to drive and all the people that have never seen one up close will stop and ask about it and want to know all about it. The only thing that my wife has found wrong is that with all the bells and whistles is that there is no way to open the hatch from the drivers seat.

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  A 10! - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By bebe20017 - September 22 - 2:00 am

  My experience with the Murano has been of superior quality. It responds very well on the road, very stong engine,beautiful interiors, a very ultra modern design,top of the line accessories, includes a bose radio system! That is great. For the proce, nissan could have added a complimentary oil change and some other features, but overall, my rating is a 10!...murano is the car of my dreams.

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  Hot Car - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By Greg in WestTX - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Hot Car, Rally fun to drive. Everyone looks at the car going down the road.

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  da bomb - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By lil pada - September 22 - 2:00 am

  vehicle is awesome and is the best thing i have ever driven or ridden in

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  owesome max. 04 - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By esaujaguar - September 22 - 2:00 am

  had a sentra first. very nice compact. It doesnt compare at all to the max. 04 I wanted to get the altima, but when I saw the new maxima I went wowwwwww.!!!!!!! It handles very nice in tight curves and the engine power is fenomenal!!!!!!

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  Supurb - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Raymond Thomas - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Then handleing and ride are very good.Road noise is minimal,sound system is one of the best,braking is good Inside and out features are very well done.turning radius could be shorter .comfort is very good.This car comes very well equiped.