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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  Great Truck - 2008 Nissan Titan
  By Nick - January 4 - 7:33 pm

  Truck is a 2008.5 that I use for daily driving and towing a 4000+ LB boat around. I was comparing this truck to the 1/2 ton GMC and Tundra but I picked the Nissan after test driving all 3 because of the Titans interior and exterior looks and feel. The leather seats look to be very high quality plus the dash controls and gauges are more modern looking, well placed, and practical. The performance of this truck will put a smile on your face anytime you feel the need. Gas mileage is not great but I knew that when I bought this truck. The only problems I had or have is that the rear underseat storage container squeaks and the tire pressure alarm lit up and would not reset until 40psi was used.

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  They dont make them like the used to... - 2002 Nissan Maxima
  By Jamez - January 4 - 3:43 pm

  I must say I have been a bit disappointed with this generation Maxima. My 97 SE was amazing, but somewhere in the crossing over, Nissan focused too much on power and not enough on the driver. The Bose sound system is a joke, the electronic seats are great but stopped working right after I bought it, the interior feels cheap and allows lots of wind noise. Fan for heater makes horrible grinding noise, so loud in fact it can be heard outside the car; how embarrassing! The styling and everything about this car feels old and worn out...I just want to get rid of it but Im stuck with loads of negative equity!! Yikes!!

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  Terrific Car - 1998 Nissan Maxima
  By codemeister16 - January 4 - 2:26 pm

  Bought this car last year with about 92000 mi. very dependable, crashed the front passenger side quarter and it still runs as good as the day i got it. havent had any trouble with it so far except an oil change and new brake pads.

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  Great Little SUV - 2001 Nissan Xterra
  By rickp - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a terrific SUV. The acronym of Stupid Usless Vehicle does not apply to the X. It performs well on the highway, it is comfortable and nimble on the streets. If the X has a problem it is in that it is not a cheep vehicle to operate. The Gas milage is poor and the engine could use a few more CIs. The bottom line for the X is its off road capability. This little truck has never backed up to any off road situation that I have put it into. Granted it is not a FJ40, but the unit will take you anywhere that a sane person wants to go.

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  Solid as Rock - 1996 Nissan Maxima
  By SamX - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I like this car! I had a 1997 Honda Accord and totaled it in a accident, I had a deal on that car, and it was Manual, so its why I took it. It has 375 000km, its so much for a car... but its solid as rock. Only normal think to change, O2 sensors and brakes... A great Car!!

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  SE/TITANIUM EDITION - 2003 Nissan Maxima
  By chr1921 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  SO FAR SO GOOD, NO PROBLEMS, I CAN FEEL THE BRAKES GRINDING DURING STOPPING, ROTORS SHOW RUST WHEN IT RAINS OR GETS WET, THEY SEEM TO BE OF LESSER QUALITY, LIKE MY PREVIUOS MAXIMA. LITTLE STRONG ON THE TORQUE STEER,OTHER THAN THAT THE PERFORMANCE IS OUTSTANDING

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  My favorite seat - 2004 Nissan Altima
  By KAT - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Drivinig this car is exciting. I have to stop myself from racing. My grounding element, my daughter prevents this ofen, but when alone, or on an open road, its road rage or 80 and up. Lord grant me patience. I dont like the turn radius. I dont like the the mirrors that dont fold in. I dont like the way rain falls into a cracked window. The rain deflectors look hideous. Its also a lot of area to personally handwash. I have every option the factory offered on my interior. Details, details. but when I am done, hes beautiful. I dont like the CD holder door with loses its spring immediately. I dont like the

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  I LOVE THIS CAR! - 2003 Nissan Murano
  By Jessica Redding - January 4 - 2:00 am

  3 years ago I bought a new Honda Accord SE. I loved this car, just no leather, cd player, and a smaller engine. I traded it almost shy of 2 years. I then got a Mazda Millenia, I HATED that car. The service was the worst, right down to the people who sold it to me. Well, 11/2 month ago I traded the millenia in for my MURANO.. I LOVE IT LOVE IT, LOVE IT! Thanks nissan for making such a vechile. I drive it everyday, just to drive. Thanks!

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  A Very Good Buy - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By Joejoey - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had a great 2 weeks of owning this black Murano loaded with all the toys....had a 2003 Maxima, sold it to buy what I call the Maxima 4x4 great ride very quite, great performance,spend the extra for the SE...handles much better than the SL...do what I did test drive both then decide for yourself...I have owned 4 Nisans..all have been trouble free..

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  best in the market murano - 2004 Nissan Murano
  By murano number1 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  the cleanes.coolest AWD out there.much better than a lexus rx330.