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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  Practical and Basic - 2001 Nissan Altima
  By SallyM - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Nissans since 1979. I dont think they can be beat for reliability/dependability. The Nissan Altima 2001 is no exception to this, only its a really boring car. Its not fun to drive: Less power, poorer handling in wet weather, wider turning radius, and it just looks like a million others. It is so common looking that you lose it in parking lots. Save your money and buy one thats 2002 model year after they changed the design and made it look a whole lot sharper. Why not have looks, performance and dependability instead of just dependability?

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  Nice car -- shaky maintenance program - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By ncjoe - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Purchased Nissan New 8/2001. Overall Nice vehicle. peformance, comfort and reliability. Had one major problem during the first winter -- car wouldnt start in cold weather. Vehicle sat in dealership for 2 months as they couldnt trouble shoot problem. I had to escalate to Nissan HQ before problem got resolved -- faulty computer chip.

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  WOW - I LOVE THIS SUV - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By SOUTH-TEXAS - February 16 - 2:00 am

  WENT TO DEALER TO CHECK OUT THE ARMADA AND IT GOT US HOOKED. WOOOW, ITS BIG BUT FITS IN A STANDARD GARAGE, NICE INTERIOR, UNBELIEVABLE PERFORMANCE, NICE RIDE, DID I SAY UNBELIEVABLE PERFORMANCE, GREAT STEREO, EASY TO GET IN AND OUT OF, LOTS OF CUP HOLDERS, REAR AIR, 2ND ROW HAS A LOT OF ROOM, THE CLOTH SEATS ARE VERY NICE, THE FIVE SPOKE RIMS ARE IN MY OPINION THE BEST LOOKING, AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY HAPPY WITH OUR PURCHASE.

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  Nice Mini-Van - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By drlamp2000 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  An excellent vehicle with all the bells and whistles. I have found nothing yet that is disappointing. Peppy and stylish for a minivan!

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  They want MSRP? - 2004 Nissan Titan
  By intrepid - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I want one of these trucks, but Im not going to pay MSRP for it. The 2004 trucks are almost 1/3 of a year old already. The ride is VERY stiff, maybe because it was a SE model that I test drove. I think the exhaust is too loud for a 30- year-old plus driver. (IÂ’m forty-one) My plan is to wait, and buy the 2005 model in 8/2004. That is if the LE model drives smoother, and has a quieter exhaust system in 2005. I know it is "require that you own this vehicle in order to write a review", but no one has, as of yet. Please feel free to delete mine after someone does. I just would like to get other opinions of the truck, before my purchase next summer 2004.

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  Great Car only 1 fault - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By OzgurK - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Great Car, lots of space, fun to drive. Premium stero with XM is a blast. Only negative is the turning radius. This took me by surprise. I have had larger cars that could turn around much better. THis needs to be improved. I looked at cars that were twice the price and they did not match up to the Maxima.

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  Good - 2009 Nissan Altima
  By suhail - February 15 - 3:40 am

  2009 Nissan Altima is a fun ride You get a lot for the price

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  waited for years, now I have the one I wanted - 2016 Nissan Murano
  By Karen - February 14 - 9:03 pm

  The ride is great, it has all that a luxury SUV should have. The only thing I found was a blind spot, if I didnt have the tech warnings, it would be dangerous. The only other frustration is the blue tooth connectivity is inconsistent so hands free driving is difficult.

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  Needs more power - 2000 Nissan Pathfinder
  By Joe Mas - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Very nice vehicle. I tow two snowmobiles up to the mountains in New hampshire and there are many times when I wish I had a more powerful engine. Nissan addresed this problem with a 3.5 ltr. engine in newer models.

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  Im Sold! - 2001 Nissan Maxima
  By nissanhappy - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive had nissan for a while now, all i can say is great car, great power if you need it. You just barley touch the gas peddle and your going the speed limit! ADVICE: dont take out your stock cassette deck for a cd player, the car shop has no clue on how to hook up the radio antenna. If you want a cd in your car buy a cd changer for your trunk. Otherwise great car!