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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  Average van at high price - 2004 Nissan Quest
  By sunday driver - August 22 - 2:00 am

  We traded in a Silhouette for this. We have been quite disappointed. Wife liked the colr, styling and all the "bells and whistles." Unfortunately, she has been looking to trade it after just 3 months. Depreciated too much and any trade under 6 months voids the warranty to prospective owner. This van and subsequent poor Nissan service is not worth the exhorbitant pricetag.

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  POTENTIAL - 1998 Nissan Altima
  By McFly4ever - August 21 - 10:00 am

  This car is great, it is very peppy for a 4 cyl sedan, and if you are interested in car performance it has a lot of potential, I am currently pushing 220 hp at the wheels in my 98 altima GLE

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  Awesome - 2000 Nissan Frontier
  By JugHaid - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Awesome fun to drive stylish dependable great loooks ergonomic interior cold ac Smiling and driving excellence

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  Disappointed - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By underh2o - August 19 - 9:53 am

  This is my second Maxima, my last one a 2000 which I loved 10 out of 10. The 2004 Maxima although an extremely cool looking car has been a major let down. So far the exhaust heat shield has come loose three times, front strut snapped, electronic chip needed to be reset, navigation sometimes wont boot, cannot replace a simple light bulb without surgery, major torque steer, interior paneling keeps seperating, seat heat buttons cave into the console with almost no pressure, and the list goes on. The 2000 Maxima was a quality build. Nissan went cheap on quality in 2004. I cannot wait to get rid of this car. Maybe Ill buy an Acura TL with more features for the same amount of money.

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  Your Average Car - 1996 Nissan Altima
  By dude - August 19 - 5:46 am

  I have a 96 gxe, and its fine to drive to close distances, but i don trust it to go further distances after the fuel pump, distributor and A/C went out. Gas is ok not the best. I would go with the Toyota Camry though and pay a few hundred bucks more.

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  great make - 2004 Nissan Sentra
  By chasy - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car used when it had 35 thousand miles on it. That was 2 years ago i have since put 45 thousand more miles on it and i have had no trouble with it. I will be honest and say i drive the heck out of it too and its still standing. Did i mention its only a 1999. They are great imports Dont let the name fool you. If you take care of it it will last even longer. ENJOY!

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  MY 03 ALTIMA REVIEW - 2003 Nissan Altima
  By SMLTWNGRL - August 18 - 10:00 am

  GREAT ACCELERATION FOR A 4CYL, VERY ROOMY, EVERYBODY COMPLIMENTS ON LOOKS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR

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  2004 Maxima After 8000 miles - 2004 Nissan Maxima
  By DrivingMIssDonna - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had more close calls with vehicles pulling out in front of me with this car, (I think the liquid Silver color blends with the pavement). It also hydra planes (big wide 18" tires)on wet roads more than any car since my 1978 rabbit.

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  Good and Bad - 2005 Nissan Altima
  By loveless - August 18 - 10:00 am

  A nice car but the brakes on the 3.5L series are lacking.I have constantly had problems with the brakes since I hit 30,000 miles and they are under warranty. They have been fixed twice and a problem still is there. The dealer said they would fix it but they work for @ 2 weeks and the same old sound and feel come back.

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  Outstanding - 2014 Nissan Altima
  By Joseph Wain - August 18 - 3:58 am

  Great vehicle