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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  Highway Robbery! - 2006 Nissan Quest
  By mrsthomas - August 23 - 11:00 am

  We bought this van with 13 miles on it. Have since had to take it for repairs more times than you should for a NEW vehicle that we paid over $34,000 for. Ridiculous things such as the drivers visor, breaking six times! Have had the heater in drivers seat replaced and it still does not work. Heater control only works if you strangle it. Drivers window motor replaced in first six months.I do not have the time to have take it in everytime something breaks, especially as things break repeatedly!!!! Dealer was unsympathetic, perhaps not surprised? We have also had the breaks done and new tires, which seem to have little effect on how crappy it drives. Will NEVER BUY Nissan EVER again!

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  2002 nissan maxima se - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By kvhinton - August 23 - 10:00 am

  excellent car. my 6 speed is a rocket. 50,000 trouble free miles so far.

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  Great Investment - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By muffinman_muffy - August 23 - 10:00 am

  This is an undersized, overbuilt (a good thing) SUV. It is the perfect family car.

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  Great! So Far......... - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Conman - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Just picked it up $2,700 under MSRP. Fully loaded, everything except navagation system. Its my wifes car and she loves it. We still need to figure out all the "gadgets". It has terrific power and rides smoothly. Noted some reviews mention noise with sunroof open. Have found this to be true. This Maurano did not come with sunroof deflector. Strange for a vehicle with everything. We love the looks and do not see many on the road. Concerned about stated gas mileage, getting 14.7 around town. Hope to get better than that! My wife will be running on the highway. This is our first SUV and first foreign vehicle.

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  One Fast 4 Door - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By altimateone - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car because I was impressed by its performance the V6 w/5speed. I also love the exterior styling. Its one classy looking car. The front seats could be more performance oriented. For the performance this car is capable of it doesnt hold you in very well. If it had seats like the 350Z. I can get better than advertised fuel mileage if I keep it under 65mph. this car is like a race horse it wants to go 80+mph. You get on the freeway before you know it your going 80mph. You have to feather the throttle lightly to keep it under 80. I love this car I was not dissapointed in buying this car.

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  One Kick-Ass Car! - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By BigDH - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Awesone styling, fast (great 3.5 V6), top-notch handling, great stereo, good ergonomics. Overall, a very good value compared to other near-luxury cars on the market today. For the price, the standard features are generous and beat the pants off entry luxury cars like the BMW 330 and Audi A4.

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  no brainer for the price - 2014 Nissan Rogue
  By docrad1 - August 23 - 8:18 am

  We looked at a lot of suvs used and new, when we added up the standard features the new gas mileage, the features and the package option that added a lot more for less than 1500 dollars this wa a no brainer. the safety features are great and at the price of the vehicle this is not even available in comparable suvs. the MPG in the 2014 models is enticing and makes you fell better buying this vehicle.

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  Sporty SUV - 2005 Nissan Murano
  By Patvee - August 22 - 5:43 pm

  This is an above average SUV. Loaded with options and it handles great. Ride is overall good and I am getting 18 MPG combined. The styling makes this auto look like no other. The Murano has been back to the dealer for 2 defects but the dealer fixed both. I would buy it again.

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  Looking forward to my next one! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Lend - August 22 - 2:33 pm

  No problems at all with fuel economy. This is like any other vehicle..if you drive it hard, the economy suffers, but I regularly get better than 25 MPG on the highway. Very comfortable vehicle with heated seats. Handles like a dream and quality is better than my 2001 Odyssey. Better attention to details than most manufacturers. Im looking forward to getting my next one.... Im thinking an SE AWD with leather.

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  Almost perfect - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By Bobby - August 22 - 11:53 am

  Been in a silver 6-speed maxima for almost 2 years. Talk about torque, great pull from low rpm-can start from 3rd gear. love the 6th gear-barely breathing on the highway. the car is really fast, sneaky fast. rides great, good performance/comfort ratio for a sedan with 255 hp. torque steer and understeer obvious problems with the front wheel drive setup. a little nose heavy going into corners. also the performance tires and abundant torque make the car tricky to drive in snow. opt for some snow tires if you live in a place where it snows. got a great deal and they added black leather (in place of the original frost cloth for free) which looks cool against the grey carpet and seatbelt.