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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  DD Armada LE - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By ddburns - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Incredible truck. Great drive, performance and exhaust note. Interior room is excellent, stereo sounds great. Navigation system is a great toy and gets you where you want to go. 2,600 miles since delivery, leaking transfer case and warper rotors. we will see how dealer and manufacturer handle repairs.

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  TOTAL TRUCK - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By Doyle - March 18 - 10:00 am

  After reading everything in print on this truck I bought it. This is the best truck on the market today. Power for everything you want. While passing I hit 103mph very quick and wasnt pushing it at all. Smooth ride and very low road noise. Perfect V8 sound. Rockford Fosgate is a must if you buy one. The gas mileage 13.5-14.5 city depending on how you drive. Highway 14.5-15.7 (65-80mph) Right there with the others in a 4wd. If you are looking for a truck look no futher because this on is it. After market accessories are hard to get, bug shield ect.. Watch the blind spot use the wide angle mirrors before you change lanes!

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  Fast Car - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By Chanel - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I love it. This car is very powerful. It is more fun to drive on the highway than in city traffic. If you want near luxury and speed this is the car.

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  maxima woes - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By marklo - March 18 - 10:00 am

  problems with 04 maxima include harsh shifting auto matic when cold .impossible to start when temp is below 15 degrees and a squeaky shifting seat when cornering tech service bulietens now out on above but dealer does nothing.

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  More than expected for this price - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By Marija - March 18 - 10:00 am

  This car packs the standard features in compared to its competitors that need plenty of extra options just to match. Car handles unbelievably well and engine has just the right amount of power. Excellent road manners with right amount of feedback in steering wheel.

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  Wow! - 2004 Nissan 350Z
  By jrm1963 - March 17 - 11:36 pm

  Decided to trade in a 60s muscle car for something newer that we werent afraid to drive in weather & parking lots. Found this car by accident and never looked back. The acceleration takes your breath away and it sticks to the road like glue. And with the top down its still a wonderful car just to get out and cruise under a star filled sky. I may have to look to Nissan for my family sedan now if it has any of the breeding of the Z.

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  One of the Worst cars ever owned - 2003 Nissan Sentra
  By themanindbox - March 17 - 9:51 pm

  I have owned over 18 cars thus far in my life. The worst by far either this car or the Cadillac I owned. I purchased this car used in 2005 with 27K miles on it. I only owned it till 2006. I sold it with 35K miles on it. It was a terrible car. (6 months) What broke in a year. Power windows (new motors) Door would not open due to cheap plastic clips in the door for the connection to the handle. Rattles in all the plastic Motor was burning oil due to bad piston rings. Seat adjuster broke and would not hold the recline adjustment. (I weighed at the time 135LBS) MPG was awful even when compared to a Roush Mustang. Left me stranded twice

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  Fun car to drive - 2005 Nissan Maxima
  By jinx - March 17 - 8:40 pm

  Poor cup holder arrangement. Too much torque steer when accelerating, Visibility toward rear corners poor.

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  Sporty 4Door - 2010 Nissan Maxima
  By X370Z - March 17 - 8:13 am

  Traded my 09 370Z for the 10 Max SV. Z was a great sports car. The Max is a great 4 dr "sporty" car. Gobs of power instantly ready on command, holds tight in continuous radius corners (once one gets used to front wheel drive), and very comfortable and quiet on long commutes. 3.5 L engine NVH is superior to the 3.7 L, smooth all the way to red line. I enjoy the CVT, and the sport-shift function when I want to set my hair on fire. Discounts Nissan is offering (see Edmunds TMV) make the decision to purchase this car a no-brainer. You can pay more for a TL, TSX, A4, 329, or C- class. But, make sure you can handle the grins of the Max drivers as they dust your overly-expensive anemic ride at will.

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  One fast SUV - 2007 Nissan Xterra
  By Emanuel - March 17 - 1:33 am

  Getting on the interstates in Virginia can be challenging at best, the on ramps are short and drivers not willing to let any one on. But in this SUV I dont need anyone to let me over! I just depress the accelerator and whoa! The performance on this vehicle is amazing. This vehicle performs like a sports car the look of it is so deceiving; it looks like your average SUV. Well all I have to say is dont judge a book by its cover!